How far is Ponyboy's school from his home?

This question is rather difficult to answer precisely. Many literary critics suggest that S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders is set in Hinton's hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The novella was written in 1967; although the author herself states the text is set in 1965.
The setting depicted in the novel is vague, meant to allow readers to feel a connection to the characters based upon the idea of an "Everyman" setting. What this means is that Hinton intentionally makes the setting's identity an unknown because she hopes that young males readers can see themselves in the story, given a specific setting goes unnamed. The Everyman refers to the ideology that specific characteristics are purposely omitted in order to appeal to a greater audience.
In order to try to create a mental map of the novella, based upon Hinton's use of Everyman ideology, one could assume that Ponyboy's neighborhood is one where everyone knows everyone. Readers can assume that the setting, therefore, is rather small. Much of the characters' movements (like Ponyboy) are described as walking. Therefore, one could appropriately assume that many of the places are close to one another. The only thing that would suggest otherwise is the division of the East Side and West Side. That said, and again referring to the Everyman ideology, many small cities possess this same mindset, the physical division of the poor and the wealthy.
In the end, one can assume that most of the places Ponyboy goes to are within walking distance of his home.

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