Ward ES

Ward ES serves 78 students in Shidler, Oklahoma, from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. At a student-teacher ratio of 9.8 to 1, each student gets consistent adult attention across an intimate, structured school day. The school earns a composite score of 9.4 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — built on a 9.2 academic score and a 9.5 growth score.

The growth figure is particularly telling: students here aren't just performing at high levels, they're advancing at a rate that puts Ward ES in the top five among all 915 Oklahoma elementary schools. Academic achievement and year-over-year momentum are both moving in the same direction, which is rare at any school size. Ward ES ranks #6 out of 1,747 public schools statewide — a pool that includes large urban and suburban districts with far greater resources — and outperforms 100% of Oklahoma public schools by composite score.

For families in Shidler comparing options locally, Ward ES holds the top spot among all three public schools in town. Those results place it in an exceptionally select tier that has nothing to do with its small enrollment.

With an enrollment of 78 students, Ward ES is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Ward ES offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Ward ES may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.