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Nowata County

Oklahoma · Public K-12

Nowata County hosts 8 public K-12 schools. Together they educate about 1,540 Oklahoma students across 3 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high.

7-year change in Nowata County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
1,540
-207 (-12%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
8
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
8
3 districts
Enrollment
1,540
NCES CCD
Median income
$54,333
Below Oklahoma avg
Free/reduced lunch
68.0%
Above Oklahoma avg
Elementary
3
789 students
Middle
2
297 students
High
3
454 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
NOWATA
703 students · 3 districts in Nowata County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Nowata County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
65%
Hispanic
3%
Black
2%
Asian
1%
Two or more
15%
Native American
16%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
44%
Hispanic
5%
Black
1%
Asian
1%
Two or more
19%
Native American
29%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
16.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
13.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.5%
civilian labor
Median age
41
23.0% under 18

Test scores in Nowata County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 1 schools ranked. Oklahoma state average: 30.6%.

Top 1 schools (ELA)
  1. OKLAHOMA UNION ES· 32.0%

See all 1 schools in Nowata County ranked by score →

All schools (8)

NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
NOWATA ESNowataElementaryPK-05361·
OKLAHOMA UNION ESSouth CoffeyvilleElementaryPK-05265·
NOWATA HSNowataHigh09-12188·
OKLAHOMA UNION HSSouth CoffeyvilleHigh09-12185·
SOUTH COFFEYVILLE ESSouth CoffeyvilleElementaryPK-08163·
NOWATA MSNowataMiddle06-08154·
OKLAHOMA UNION MSSouth CoffeyvilleMiddle06-08143·
SOUTH COFFEYVILLE HSSouth CoffeyvilleHigh09-1281·

Cities in Nowata County

South Coffeyville5 schoolsNowata3 schools

About Nowata County

In Oklahoma, Nowata County is a sparse county of about 9,435 residents. 8 public schools across the county teaches about 1,540 students between them.

In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $54,333, about 17% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 14%. That income level is 9% meaningfully below the Oklahoma median.

For a sense of the school types, Nowata County comprises 3 elementary schools (789 students), 2 middle schools (297), and 3 high schools (454).

NOWATA dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 703 students on its own.

Five-year track record. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment shrank 12%: 1,747 students in SY 2017-18 versus 1,540 in SY 2024-25.

Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Nowata County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.

Frequently asked questions

How many public schools are in Nowata County?
Nowata County, Oklahoma has 8 public K-12 schools serving approximately 1,540 students.
How many high schools are in Nowata County?
Nowata County, Oklahoma has 3 public high schools, serving approximately 454 students.
How many middle schools are in Nowata County?
Nowata County, Oklahoma has 2 public middle schools, serving approximately 297 students.
How many elementary schools are in Nowata County?
Nowata County, Oklahoma has 3 public elementary schools, serving approximately 789 students.
What is the largest school district in Nowata County?
NOWATA is the largest school district in Nowata County, serving approximately 703 students. The county contains 3 school districts overall.
What is the population of Nowata County?
Nowata County, Oklahoma has a population of approximately 9,435, with a median age of 41. About 23.0% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Nowata County?
Median household income in Nowata County is $54,333, below the Oklahoma average of $59,445. About 13.5% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Nowata County?
Approximately 16.8% of adults 25 and older in Nowata County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Nowata County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 68.0% of students in Nowata County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Oklahoma county average of 66.8%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Nowata County schools?
Across Nowata County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 15.8 to 1.

Nowata County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data