Paoli

The small town of Paoli, Oklahoma is home to two schools - Paoli Elementary School and Paoli High School. Both schools serve a predominantly low-income student population, with free and reduced lunch rates exceeding 80%. Despite relatively high per-student spending, the schools have struggled with persistently low academic performance and rankings compared to other Oklahoma schools.

Paoli Elementary School has a small enrollment of just 108 students and has consistently ranked in the bottom 25% of Oklahoma elementary schools over the past decade. In contrast, Paoli High School has seen its statewide ranking fluctuate, ranging from the bottom 15% to the top 45% of Oklahoma high schools in recent years. However, the high school's four-year graduation rate of 80.1% is below the state average, and its 11th-grade test scores are particularly concerning, with only 44.4% proficient or better in English Language Arts and just 5.6% in Mathematics.

Overall, the schools in Paoli face significant challenges in terms of student performance, resource allocation, and serving high-poverty communities. While the relatively high per-student spending suggests a commitment to education, the data indicates that the schools are struggling to translate this funding into improved academic outcomes for their students. Further investigation and targeted interventions may be necessary to address these issues and provide a high-quality education for the children of Paoli.