Catoosa parents and families,
The Oklahoma State Department of Education has released the 2024-2025 Oklahoma School Report Cards, offering families across the state a snapshot of school performance and progress. You can view the full reports for Catoosa HS, Wells MS, and Cherokee ES at: https://oklaschools.com/.
As a district, we believe in transparency and we also believe in hope, progress, and the power of a growth mindset. At Catoosa, WE lead from a growth mindset, not a deficit one. These report cards are not a final judgment; they are a tool. They help us see our strengths and clarify where to focus our ongoing improvement efforts.
Acknowledging the Results with Honesty and Optimism
Some of the results this year were not what we anticipated. But we remain committed to viewing this information as guidance, not a setback. Data reflects a moment in time; what defines us is what we do moving forward. And across our district, meaningful growth is happening.
Important Highlights and Signs of Progress
We are proud to share several key areas of success across our schools:
Catoosa High School
Postsecondary Opportunities Earned an A: Our students are accessing advanced coursework, career pathways, and college readiness opportunities at a level that earned the highest possible rating. This is a testament to our students’ ambition and our staff’s commitment to expanding options for every learner.
Graduation Rate on the Rise: The cohort graduation rate continues to trend upward, reflecting increased student engagement, stronger support systems, and a focused effort on ensuring students stay on track to earn their diplomas.
Wells Middle School
Academic Growth Is Rising: Wells is showing positive momentum in academic growth, demonstrating that our teaching strategies, Professional Learning Communities, benchmark assessments, and classroom supports are helping students make meaningful progress year over year.
Cherokee Elementary School
Above the State Average in Academic Achievement: Cherokee students are outperforming the statewide average in academic achievement - an accomplishment that reflects the strong foundation our elementary staff, students, and families are building together.
Alongside these academic successes, we continue to see tremendous strength in the arts, athletics, and student activities districtwide. From competitive performances to teamwork to manufacturing to vibrant arts and STEM programming, our students are shining across multiple arenas.
We Are Moving Forward
We also recognize that there is still work to do. That is why our five-year Continuous Strategic Improvement Plan is so important. This plan guides us with a clear and intentional roadmap focused on:
Strengthening early literacy and foundational skills
Increasing attendance and student engagement
Providing high-quality professional learning for staff
Supporting the social-emotional well-being of every child
Making data-informed decisions that prioritize student success
We are committed to long-term improvement (not quick fixes), but sustainable, meaningful progress.
A Strong Foundation for Sustainable Academic Growth
In addition to these encouraging signs of progress, it is important for our parents and families to know that Catoosa Public Schools has been building a strong instructional and leadership foundation through our Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and the districtwide systems outlined in our Teacher Learning and Leadership Coalition (TLLC) work.
These structures have been developed collaboratively with principals, teacher leaders, and district staff and reflect the evidence-based practices that high-performing schools across the nation use to drive continuous improvement. They include common formative assessments, intentional intervention and enrichment cycles, consistent team collaboration, and a districtwide commitment to monitoring learning and responding quickly when students need support.
While improvement takes time, these research-based systems provide a clear pathway forward and will, with consistency and steady leadership, move us toward the academic outcomes we are working to achieve for every student.
A Unified Commitment to Growth
Thank you for your ongoing support, trust, and partnership. Our students, staff, and families make Catoosa a place of resilience, pride, and possibility. While we fully acknowledge the areas where we must improve, we stand firmly grounded in optimism and belief because the growth we are seeing is real, and the work ahead is purposeful.
We also want to emphasize that parents and guardians play a vital role in our continued success. Whether it’s ensuring students are at school every day to help reduce chronic absenteeism, reading and talking with young children each night to strengthen early literacy skills, communicating with teachers about your student’s progress, or guiding your students through postsecondary opportunities - your involvement truly matters. Catoosa cannot do this alone. When families and schools work together, student success accelerates.
Lastly, we cannot thank our Parent Faculty Clubs, Booster Clubs, our Board of Education, and our educational partners enough for their unwavering support and commitment to our students and schools. Together, we will continue to rise. Because WE ARE CATOOSA!
In service,
Robert Schornick
Superintendent
Catoosa Public Schools