Pawnee County Schools & Education
Pawnee County, Oklahoma
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
13/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
78.8%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
78.8%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 84.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,182
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,520
School Score
13/100
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
#67
of 77 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Pawnee County
School Verdict
Pawnee County faces educational challenges with a school score of 13/100 and a graduation rate of 78.8%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,182 per pupil, Pawnee County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Pawnee County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 52% below the Oklahoma average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 5.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Pawnee County, Oklahoma
A Concentrated and Focused School System
Pawnee County operates 8 public schools across just 3 school districts, making it one of the more consolidated systems in the region. Total enrollment sits at 2,494 students, split evenly between 4 elementary schools and 4 secondary schools (middle and high). This small-scale infrastructure emphasizes community connection within the Cleveland and Pawnee areas.
Meeting Academic Challenges with Focused Spending
The 78.8% graduation rate is currently lower than Oklahoma’s 84.3% average and the national 87.0% standard. The county invests $6,182 per pupil, which is slightly less than the state’s $6,520 average. With a school score of 45.9, there is a clear focus on improving outcomes while working with roughly half the national average in per-pupil funding.
Cleveland Leads the County Enrollment
The Cleveland school district is the dominant provider, serving 1,614 students—over 60% of the county's total enrollment—across four schools. Pawnee district follows with 633 students, while Jennings operates a single school for 247 students. No charter schools exist in the county, maintaining a purely traditional public school framework.
Larger Campus Sizes in a Rural Context
Despite being a rural area, schools here are relatively large with an average enrollment of 312 students. Cleveland High School is the largest campus, hosting 483 students, followed closely by Cleveland Primary at 411. The county features 5 rural and 3 town-based schools, blending quiet surroundings with significant campus communities.
Invest in a Community with School Ties
When researching homes in Pawnee County, the strong central presence of the Cleveland and Pawnee districts is a major draw. These districts act as community hubs, making them ideal targets for home buyers with children. Consider how the intimate, three-district layout simplifies your school choices and provides a clear community identity.
School Overview
Total Schools
8
in Pawnee County
Total Enrollment
2,494
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Pawnee County
CLEVELAND
PAWNEE
JENNINGS
8 Public Schools in Pawnee County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLEVELAND HS | CLEVELAND | 9–12 | High | 483 |
| CLEVELAND PRIMARY ES | CLEVELAND | PK–2 | Primary | 411 |
| CLEVELAND MS | CLEVELAND | 6–8 | Middle | 410 |
| CLEVELAND INTERMEDIATE ES | CLEVELAND | 3–5 | Primary | 310 |
| PAWNEE ES | PAWNEE | PK–5 | Primary | 309 |
| JENNINGS PUBLIC SCHOOL | JENNINGS | PK–8 | Primary | 247 |
| PAWNEE HS | PAWNEE | 9–12 | High | 181 |
| PAWNEE MS | PAWNEE | 6–8 | Middle | 143 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,182
State avg $6,520
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Pawnee County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Pawnee County?
How much does Pawnee County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Pawnee County, Oklahoma — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Pawnee County, Oklahoma?
Pawnee County operates 8 public schools across just 3 school districts, making it one of the more consolidated systems in the region. Total enrollment sits at 2,494 students, split evenly between 4 elementary schools and 4 secondary schools (middle and high). This small-scale infrastructure emphasizes community connection within the Cleveland and Pawnee areas.
How do schools in Pawnee County perform academically?
The 78.8% graduation rate is currently lower than Oklahoma’s 84.3% average and the national 87.0% standard. The county invests $6,182 per pupil, which is slightly less than the state’s $6,520 average. With a school score of 45.9, there is a clear focus on improving outcomes while working with roughly half the national average in per-pupil funding.
What are the major school districts in Pawnee County, Oklahoma?
The Cleveland school district is the dominant provider, serving 1,614 students—over 60% of the county's total enrollment—across four schools. Pawnee district follows with 633 students, while Jennings operates a single school for 247 students. No charter schools exist in the county, maintaining a purely traditional public school framework.
What is the school experience like in Pawnee County?
Despite being a rural area, schools here are relatively large with an average enrollment of 312 students. Cleveland High School is the largest campus, hosting 483 students, followed closely by Cleveland Primary at 411. The county features 5 rural and 3 town-based schools, blending quiet surroundings with significant campus communities.
How can I find homes near good schools in Pawnee County, Oklahoma?
When researching homes in Pawnee County, the strong central presence of the Cleveland and Pawnee districts is a major draw. These districts act as community hubs, making them ideal targets for home buyers with children. Consider how the intimate, three-district layout simplifies your school choices and provides a clear community identity.
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.