Allen

The Allen school district in Oklahoma consists of two schools - Allen Elementary School serving grades PK-8 and Allen High School serving grades 9-12. Both schools have a significant Native American student population, comprising around a quarter of the student body. However, the schools display contrasting performance and resource allocation.

Allen Elementary School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Oklahoma elementary schools, indicating a need for improvement in academic performance and student outcomes. The school serves a high-need student population, with 80% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Despite this, the school spends relatively less per student ($8,972) compared to the high school. In contrast, Allen High School has seen fluctuating performance, with its statewide ranking ranging from 28th out of 197 high schools in 2016-2017 to 283rd out of 439 in 2022-2023. The high school spends significantly more per student ($12,576), but its test scores remain low, with only 29.4% of 11th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts and 8.8% in Mathematics.

Overall, the data highlights the need for a deeper analysis of the factors contributing to the schools' performance, as well as the implementation of targeted strategies to address the unique challenges faced by the Allen school district. The high poverty levels, racial diversity, and inconsistent academic outcomes suggest that the district should focus on equitable resource allocation, culturally responsive teaching practices, and comprehensive support services to ensure all students in Allen have the opportunity to succeed.