Payne County Schools & Education
Payne County, Oklahoma
School Score
23/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
86.8%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
86.8%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 84.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,017
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,520
School Score
23/100
Higher = better
State avg 28/100
State School Rank
#43
of 77 counties (1 = best)
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Education Overview
About Schools in Payne County, Oklahoma
A Robust Hub of Public Education
Payne County boasts a comprehensive education system with 26 public schools serving 10,725 students across 7 districts. The infrastructure includes 14 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 6 high schools, plus two specialized campuses. This diverse landscape supports a large student population within both vibrant towns and rural stretches.
Academic Excellence Near National Benchmarks
Payne County achieves a strong 86.8% graduation rate, significantly outperforming the state average of 84.3% and nearly matching the national 87.0% rate. This success comes despite a per-pupil expenditure of $6,017, which is lower than the state average and less than half of the national $13,000 average. The county's school score of 49.7 slightly exceeds the Oklahoma median, indicating high performance and efficiency.
Stillwater District Drives County Growth
Stillwater is the county's educational powerhouse, enrolling 6,146 students across 9 schools. Cushing and Perkins-Tryon follow as significant districts, serving 1,699 and 1,577 students respectively. Traditional public schools represent 100% of the local options, as no charter schools currently operate in the county.
Vibrant Campuses with Diverse Settings
Schools in Payne County are notably large for the region, averaging 413 students per campus. Stillwater High School is the largest by far, with 1,317 students, creating a bustling, high-resource environment. While 16 schools are in rural settings, the 10 town-based schools host the majority of the student population, providing a distinct suburban-collegiate feel.
Settle Near Top-Performing Schools
With some of the highest graduation rates in the state, Payne County is a premier destination for families prioritizing education. High-performing schools in the Stillwater and Cushing areas make neighboring real estate highly desirable. Use these strong academic metrics to guide your home search and secure your family's future.
School Overview
Total Schools
26
in Payne County
Total Enrollment
10,725
students
School Districts
7
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Type Breakdown
7 School Districts in Payne County
STILLWATER
CUSHING
PERKINS-TRYON
RIPLEY
YALE
GLENCOE
OAK GROVE
26 Public Schools in Payne County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STILLWATER HS | STILLWATER | 10–12 | High | 1,317 |
| STILLWATER MS | STILLWATER | 6–7 | Middle | 932 |
| STILLWATER JHS | STILLWATER | 8–9 | Other | 884 |
| WESTWOOD ES | STILLWATER | PK–5 | Primary | 655 |
| HIGHLAND PARK ES | STILLWATER | PK–5 | Primary | 561 |
| CUSHING HS | CUSHING | 9–12 | High | 530 |
| SANGRE RIDGE ES | STILLWATER | PK–5 | Primary | 529 |
| WILL ROGERS ES | STILLWATER | PK–5 | Primary | 506 |
| CUSHING MS | CUSHING | 5–8 | Middle | 470 |
| PERKINS-TRYON HS | PERKINS-TRYON | 9–12 | High | 455 |
| PERKINS-TRYON ES | PERKINS-TRYON | PK–2 | Primary | 442 |
| SKYLINE ES | STILLWATER | PK–5 | Primary | 418 |
| CUSHING UPPER ES | CUSHING | 2–4 | Primary | 365 |
| PERKINS-TRYON MS | PERKINS-TRYON | 6–8 | Middle | 356 |
| RICHMOND ES | STILLWATER | PK–5 | Primary | 344 |
| PERKINS-TRYON INTERMEDIATE ES | PERKINS-TRYON | 3–5 | Primary | 324 |
| RIPLEY ES | RIPLEY | PK–8 | Primary | 301 |
| CUSHING LOWER ES | CUSHING | KG–1 | Primary | 249 |
| GLENCOE ES | GLENCOE | PK–8 | Primary | 242 |
| OAK GROVE PUBLIC SCHOOL | OAK GROVE | PK–8 | Primary | 171 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,017
State avg $6,520
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Payne County, Oklahoma — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Payne County, Oklahoma?
Payne County boasts a comprehensive education system with 26 public schools serving 10,725 students across 7 districts. The infrastructure includes 14 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 6 high schools, plus two specialized campuses. This diverse landscape supports a large student population within both vibrant towns and rural stretches.
How do schools in Payne County perform academically?
Payne County achieves a strong 86.8% graduation rate, significantly outperforming the state average of 84.3% and nearly matching the national 87.0% rate. This success comes despite a per-pupil expenditure of $6,017, which is lower than the state average and less than half of the national $13,000 average. The county's school score of 49.7 slightly exceeds the Oklahoma median, indicating high performance and efficiency.
What are the major school districts in Payne County, Oklahoma?
Stillwater is the county's educational powerhouse, enrolling 6,146 students across 9 schools. Cushing and Perkins-Tryon follow as significant districts, serving 1,699 and 1,577 students respectively. Traditional public schools represent 100% of the local options, as no charter schools currently operate in the county.
What is the school experience like in Payne County?
Schools in Payne County are notably large for the region, averaging 413 students per campus. Stillwater High School is the largest by far, with 1,317 students, creating a bustling, high-resource environment. While 16 schools are in rural settings, the 10 town-based schools host the majority of the student population, providing a distinct suburban-collegiate feel.
How can I find homes near good schools in Payne County, Oklahoma?
With some of the highest graduation rates in the state, Payne County is a premier destination for families prioritizing education. High-performing schools in the Stillwater and Cushing areas make neighboring real estate highly desirable. Use these strong academic metrics to guide your home search and secure your family's future.
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.