Ralph Downs Elementary School

Summary:

Ralph Downs Elementary School is a public elementary school in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, serving 409 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Putnam City School District, which is ranked 298 out of 342 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Ralph Downs Elementary has shown mixed academic performance compared to the Putnam City district and the state of Oklahoma. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics were generally higher than the district averages, but lower than the state averages. For example, in 3rd grade ELA, Ralph Downs had 49% proficiency compared to 38% for the district and 51% for the state. The school has a high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with 71.39% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, significantly higher than the state average.

When comparing Ralph Downs Elementary to nearby schools within the Putnam City district, some interesting patterns emerge. Northridge Elementary and Dennis Elementary consistently outperform Ralph Downs in both ELA and Mathematics proficiency, while Tulakes Elementary and Rollingwood Elementary have significantly lower proficiency rates. Ralph Downs Elementary has a higher per-student spending of $8,985, but this does not appear to be translating into significantly better academic outcomes compared to nearby schools.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 7501 West Hefner Road
       Oklahoma City, OK  73162-3162


(405) 721-4431

District: Putnam City

SchoolDigger Rank:
308th of 389 Oklahoma Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,283 Help


Students who attend Ralph Downs Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Hefner Middle School
High:    Putnam City North High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.4 Help
Number of students:  409

Racial breakdown:

African American:
30.6%
White:
29.1%
Hispanic:
16.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  71.4% Help


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 Compare Ralph Downs Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Ralph Downs Elementary School ranks worse than 79.2% of elementary schools in Oklahoma. It also ranks 3rd among 11 ranked elementary schools in the Putnam City School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 28.56. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Ralph Downs Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (30.6%), White (29.1%), Hispanic (16.6%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 71.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ralph Downs Elementary School is 14.4, which is the 4th best among 11 elementary schools in the Putnam City School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Ralph Downs Elementary School employs 28.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ralph Downs Elementary School is $11,283, which is the 4th highest among 11 elementary schools in the Putnam City School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Ralph Downs Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Putnam City:

SchoolDigger ranks Putnam City 140th of 144 Oklahoma school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Ralph Downs Elementary School?

Rank History for Ralph Downs Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Ralph Downs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools OK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2009 60.42 331st 840 60.6%
2010 65.35 274th 845 67.6%
2011 73.15 177th 846 79.1%
2015 78.13 159th 957 83.4%
2016 60.24 202nd 498 59.4%
2017 55.93 169th 407 58.5%
2018 48.98 199th 406 51.0%
2019 49.80 189th 411 54.0%
2021 60.19 207th 646 68.0%
2022 48.18 157th 323 51.4%
2023 68.39 68th 276 75.4%
2024 28.56 308th 389 20.8%
See the entire list of Oklahoma Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Ralph Downs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools OK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 60.61 175th 506 65.4%
See the entire list of Best Oklahoma Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for White students at Ralph Downs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools OK State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 57.74 132nd 403 67.2%
See the entire list of Best Oklahoma Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Oklahoma State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Ralph Downs Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: Oklahoma State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4)
0%

100%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Open Quote The only problems we had at this school were the way the principal handled situations. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Ralph Downs Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1991 305 36 9 7 7 n/a n/a 0 364
1992 440 66 22 10 7 n/a n/a 0 545
1993 460 78 26 7 7 n/a n/a 0 578
1994 418 71 22 16 2 n/a n/a 0 529
1995 416 74 28 13 3 n/a n/a 0 534
1996 416 74 28 13 3 n/a n/a 0 534
1997 403 69 28 14 4 n/a n/a 0 518
1998 394 68 26 12 4 n/a n/a 0 504
1999 403 73 31 16 2 n/a n/a 0 525
2000 390 68 36 15 5 n/a n/a 0 514
2001 354 78 46 21 10 n/a n/a 0 509
2002 387 94 28 23 17 n/a n/a 0 549
2003 387 94 28 23 17 n/a n/a 0 549
2004 358 95 22 14 9 n/a n/a 0 498
2005 359 106 35 16 10 n/a n/a 0 526
2006 347 109 36 15 9 n/a n/a 0 516
2007 345 128 41 25 15 n/a n/a 0 554
2008 327 103 37 28 14 n/a n/a 0 509
2009 300 111 41 31 15 n/a n/a 0 498
2010 311 119 47 29 23 n/a n/a 0 529
2011 288 119 46 25 15 2 22 0 517
2012 276 101 37 42 12 2 30 0 500
2013 271 104 47 53 9 1 42 0 527
2014 229 126 51 54 9 0 42 0 511
2015 218 140 43 51 15 1 41 0 509
2016 196 131 39 49 13 1 42 0 471
2017 174 126 29 41 9 0 42 0 421
2018 166 129 28 41 7 0 54 0 425
2019 161 138 21 43 4 2 41 0 410
2020 153 123 22 57 6 2 43 0 406
2021 137 109 19 43 5 4 43 0 360
2022 142 105 21 59 6 4 48 0 385
2023 134 128 18 55 6 7 68 0 416
2024 119 125 18 68 11 8 60 0 409

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ralph Downs Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1991 364 20.8 17.5 n/a
1992 545 25.6 21.2 4
1993 578 30.4 19.0 10.2
1994 529 31.0 17.1 11.7
1995 534 31.5 17.0 9
1996 534 31.5 17.0 9
1997 518 29.4 17.6 11.6
1998 504 30.2 16.7 11.9
1999 525 31.1 16.9 18.1
2000 514 29.8 17.2 19.1
2001 509 28.3 18.0 22.2
2002 549 30.9 17.8 21.1
2003 549 30.9 17.8 21.1
2004 498 25.4 19.6 26.5
2005 526 25.7 20.5 26.2
2006 516 28.0 18.4 30.4
2007 554 29.7 18.7 29.4
2008 509 29.1 17.5 35
2009 498 26.7 18.7 39
2010 529 29.4 17.9 51.6
2011 517 30.4 17.0 52.4
2012 500 31.5 15.8 56.4
2013 527 30.6 17.2 58.4
2014 511 30.4 16.8 58.3
2015 509 32.0 15.9 60.5
2016 471 31.0 15.1 59
2017 421 27.5 15.2 58.4
2018 425 27.5 15.4 57.2
2019 410 27.5 14.9 55.1
2020 406 26.9 15.0 56.7
2021 360 27.2 13.2 61.1
2022 385 28.0 13.7 48.6
2023 416 28.8 14.3 72.8
2024 409 28.3 14.4 71.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Ralph Downs Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1991 364 20.8 17.5 n/a
1992 545 25.6 21.2 4
1993 578 30.4 19.0 10.2
1994 529 31.0 17.1 11.7
1995 534 31.5 17.0 9
1996 534 31.5 17.0 9
1997 518 29.4 17.6 11.6
1998 504 30.2 16.7 11.9
1999 525 31.1 16.9 18.1
2000 514 29.8 17.2 19.1
2001 509 28.3 18.0 22.2
2002 549 30.9 17.8 21.1
2003 549 30.9 17.8 21.1
2004 498 25.4 19.6 26.5
2005 526 25.7 20.5 26.2
2006 516 28.0 18.4 30.4
2007 554 29.7 18.7 29.4
2008 509 29.1 17.5 35
2009 498 26.7 18.7 39
2010 529 29.4 17.9 51.6
2011 517 30.4 17.0 52.4
2012 500 31.5 15.8 56.4
2013 527 30.6 17.2 58.4
2014 511 30.4 16.8 58.3
2015 509 32.0 15.9 60.5
2016 471 31.0 15.1 59
2017 421 27.5 15.2 58.4
2018 425 27.5 15.4 57.2
2019 410 27.5 14.9 55.1
2020 406 26.9 15.0 56.7
2021 360 27.2 13.2 61.1
2022 385 28.0 13.7 48.6
2023 416 28.8 14.3 72.8
2024 409 28.3 14.4 71.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Ralph Downs Elementary School

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $8,985
2020 $9,432
2021 $10,757
2022 $11,744
2023 $11,283

Data source: Oklahoma Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ralph Downs Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 189th of 411 Elementary schoolsRanks 68th of 276 Elementary schools
 21.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts I (Ralph Downs Elementary School)4533
 12%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts I (Putnam City)3119
 12%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts I (Oklahoma)3929
 10%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Ralph Downs Elementary School)5643
 13%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Putnam City)4125
 16%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Oklahoma)4333
 10%
4th Grade Mathematics (Ralph Downs Elementary School)3636
   4th Grade Mathematics (Putnam City)3922
 17%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Oklahoma)3835
 3%
5th Grade English Language Arts I (Ralph Downs Elementary School)4253
 11%
   5th Grade English Language Arts I (Putnam City)3121
 10%
   5th Grade English Language Arts I (Oklahoma)3528
 7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Ralph Downs Elementary School)4450
 6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Putnam City)2924
 5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Oklahoma)3027
 3%
5th Grade Science (Ralph Downs Elementary School)5454
   5th Grade Science (Putnam City)3826
 12%
   5th Grade Science (Oklahoma)3835
 3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students410416
 1.5%
African American138128
 7.2%
American Indian46
 50%
Asian2118
 14.3%
Hispanic4355
 27.9%
Pacific Islander27
 250%
White161134
 16.8%
Two or More Races4168
 65.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients55.1%72.8%
 17.7%


Schools Near Ralph Downs Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Ralph Downs Elementary School

Students who attend Ralph Downs Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Hefner Middle School
High : Putnam City North High School

Ralph Downs Elementary School ranks in the bottom 20.8% of Oklahoma elementary schools.

In the 2023-24 school year, 409 students attended Ralph Downs Elementary School.

Students at Ralph Downs Elementary School are 31% African American, 29% White, 17% Hispanic, 15% Two or more races, 4% Asian, 3% American Indian, 2% Pacific Islander.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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