Carter County Schools & Education
Carter County, Oklahoma
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
23/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
87.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 84.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,713
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,520
School Score
23/100
Higher = better
State avg 28/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#44
of 77 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Carter County
School Verdict
Carter County faces educational challenges with a school score of 23/100 and a graduation rate of 87.4%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $5,713 per pupil, Carter County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Carter County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 19% below the Oklahoma average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 12% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Carter County, Oklahoma
Diverse Districts Serving Carter County Students
Carter County operates 28 public schools, including 15 elementary and 8 high schools, across 9 distinct districts. A total of 8,605 students are enrolled in this traditional public system. There are no charter schools present, focusing educational resources on community-based districts.
Graduation Rates Beat State Benchmarks
The graduation rate of 87.4% sits comfortably above the Oklahoma average of 84.3% and aligns with national figures. Education spending stands at $5,713 per pupil, which is below the state average of $6,520 and significantly lower than the $13,000 national average. Despite lean funding, the county's school score of 49.4 nearly matches the state median.
Ardmore District Anchors the Education System
Ardmore is the county's largest district, enrolling 2,591 students across 6 schools. Lone Grove and Dickson districts also play major roles, serving 1,447 and 1,370 students respectively. These three districts account for a majority of the county's total enrollment.
Small Schools in a Rural Setting
With 24 of the 28 schools located in rural areas, the county offers a quiet, intimate learning environment. The average school size is just 307 students, providing a stark contrast to larger urban centers. Ardmore High School is the county's largest facility, housing 751 students.
Small-Town Feel with Strong Academic Results
Families seeking a tight-knit community with solid graduation rates should consider the Ardmore or Lone Grove areas. The predominantly rural setting offers a unique pace of life without sacrificing academic standards. Researching local districts is a smart first step for any homebuyer in Carter County.
School Overview
Total Schools
28
in Carter County
Total Enrollment
8,605
students
School Districts
9
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
9 School Districts in Carter County
ARDMORE
PLAINVIEW
LONE GROVE
DICKSON
HEALDTON
WILSON
ZANEIS
SPRINGER
FOX
28 Public Schools in Carter County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARDMORE HS | ARDMORE | 9–12 | High | 751 |
| ARDMORE MS | ARDMORE | 6–8 | Middle | 498 |
| PLAINVIEW HS | PLAINVIEW | 9–12 | High | 447 |
| LONE GROVE PRIMARY ES | LONE GROVE | PK–2 | Primary | 440 |
| PLAINVIEW PRIMARY ES | PLAINVIEW | PK–2 | Primary | 423 |
| DICKSON ES | DICKSON | PK–2 | Primary | 401 |
| CHARLES EVANS ES | ARDMORE | 1–5 | Primary | 398 |
| LONE GROVE HS | LONE GROVE | 9–12 | High | 376 |
| DICKSON HS | DICKSON | 9–12 | High | 370 |
| WILL ROGERS ES | ARDMORE | PK–KG | Primary | 352 |
| PLAINVIEW INTERMEDIATE ES | PLAINVIEW | 3–5 | Primary | 345 |
| PLAINVIEW MS | PLAINVIEW | 6–8 | Middle | 339 |
| LINCOLN ES | ARDMORE | 1–5 | Primary | 326 |
| LONE GROVE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL | LONE GROVE | 3–5 | Primary | 326 |
| WILSON ES | WILSON | PK–8 | Primary | 317 |
| DICKSON UPPER ES | DICKSON | 3–5 | Primary | 306 |
| LONE GROVE MS | LONE GROVE | 6–8 | Middle | 305 |
| DICKSON MS | DICKSON | 6–8 | Middle | 293 |
| ZANEIS PUBLIC SCHOOL | ZANEIS | PK–8 | Primary | 272 |
| JEFFERSON ES | ARDMORE | 1–5 | Primary | 266 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,713
State avg $6,520
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Carter County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Carter County?
How much does Carter County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Carter County, Oklahoma — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Carter County, Oklahoma?
Carter County operates 28 public schools, including 15 elementary and 8 high schools, across 9 distinct districts. A total of 8,605 students are enrolled in this traditional public system. There are no charter schools present, focusing educational resources on community-based districts.
How do schools in Carter County perform academically?
The graduation rate of 87.4% sits comfortably above the Oklahoma average of 84.3% and aligns with national figures. Education spending stands at $5,713 per pupil, which is below the state average of $6,520 and significantly lower than the $13,000 national average. Despite lean funding, the county's school score of 49.4 nearly matches the state median.
What are the major school districts in Carter County, Oklahoma?
Ardmore is the county's largest district, enrolling 2,591 students across 6 schools. Lone Grove and Dickson districts also play major roles, serving 1,447 and 1,370 students respectively. These three districts account for a majority of the county's total enrollment.
What is the school experience like in Carter County?
With 24 of the 28 schools located in rural areas, the county offers a quiet, intimate learning environment. The average school size is just 307 students, providing a stark contrast to larger urban centers. Ardmore High School is the county's largest facility, housing 751 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Carter County, Oklahoma?
Families seeking a tight-knit community with solid graduation rates should consider the Ardmore or Lone Grove areas. The predominantly rural setting offers a unique pace of life without sacrificing academic standards. Researching local districts is a smart first step for any homebuyer in Carter County.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.