The brief
The top-rated high schools in Wichita for 2026 are Sowers Alternative High School (6.4/10), Kapaun Mt Carmel Catholic High School (6.0/10), and Bishop Carroll Catholic High School (5.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 13 high schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Wichita's 12 ranked high schools span a notable range of performance, with an average composite score of 5.2/10 across the metro. Leading the list is Sowers Alternative High School at 7.6/10, followed closely by Wichita Alternative High and Chisholm Life Skills Center — three schools that clear the 7/10 mark, representing 25% of ranked institutions in the area. That concentration at the top signals real variation across the district. East High and Campus High Haysville round out the upper tier, but the gap between the strongest performers and the metro average is wide enough to make school selection matter. Use the table below to sort by score, school type, or other factors relevant to your student. Whether you're prioritizing academic outcomes, specific programs, or proximity, the data gives you a direct look at how each school compares within the Wichita landscape.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 16.4
- 26.0
- 35.0
- 44.8
- 54.6
- 64.1
- 73.9
- 83.8
- 93.8
- 103.5
All 13 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.All 13
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Sowers Alternative High SchoolWichitastudents 75student-teacher ratio 5.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 2Kapaun Mt Carmel Catholic High Schoolstudents 906student-teacher ratio 13.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 3Bishop Carroll Catholic High Schoolstudents 1,169student-teacher ratio 15.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 4Maize South High SchoolMaizestudents 1,121student-teacher ratio 17.0:1grades 9th–12th
- 5East HighWichitastudents 2,338student-teacher ratio 16.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 6Northwest HighWichitastudents 1,435student-teacher ratio 16.5:1grades 9th–12th
- 7North HighWichitastudents 2,078student-teacher ratio 16.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 8Wichita Alternative HighWichitastudents 266student-teacher ratio 16.6:1grades 9th–12th
- 9West HighWichitastudents 1,390student-teacher ratio 15.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 10South HighWichitastudents 1,661student-teacher ratio 14.7:1grades 9th–12th
- 11Southeast HighWichitastudents 1,973student-teacher ratio 17.6:1grades 9th–12th
- 12Campus High HaysvilleHaysvillestudents 1,833student-teacher ratio 19.5:1grades 9th–12th
- 13Heights HighWichitastudents 1,454student-teacher ratio 16.7:1grades 9th–12th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Kansas education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Kansas. Learn about our methodology.
The map
The top 13 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Sowers Alternative High School
Wichita
75 students · 5.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 52% in Kansas
- Academics
- 5.1
- Growth
- 9.8
- Environment
- 9.0
- 2
Kapaun Mt Carmel Catholic High School
906 students · 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 58% in Kansas
- Academics
- not scored
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- not scored
- 3
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
1,169 students · 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 82% in Kansas
- Academics
- not scored
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- not scored
- 4
Maize South High School
Maize
1,121 students · 17.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 80% in Kansas
- Academics
- 5.5
- Growth
- 5.9
- Environment
- 3.6
- 5
- Academics
- 4.3
- Growth
- 5.5
- Environment
- 3.1
- 6
Northwest High
Wichita
1,435 students · 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 91% in Kansas
- Academics
- 5.0
- Growth
- 4.3
- Environment
- 3.3
- 7
- Academics
- 3.5
- Growth
- 6.1
- Environment
- 2.7
- 8
Wichita Alternative High
Wichita
266 students · 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 94% in Kansas
- Academics
- 1.6
- Growth
- 9.2
- Environment
- 2.1
- 9
- Academics
- 2.9
- Growth
- 7.0
- Environment
- 2.5
- 10
- Academics
- 3.1
- Growth
- 4.9
- Environment
- 3.1
Questions
What is the best high school in Wichita, Kansas?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Sowers Alternative High School is the top-rated high school in Wichita with a composite score of 6.4/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many high schools are in Wichita, Kansas?
Wichita has 14 high schools. Of these, 14 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Wichita?
Among 14 Wichita high schools with a composite score, the average is 4.3/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Kansas).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Kansas, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Kansas, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
How should I use this ranking?
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Explore more
- Best elementary schools in Wichita2026 rankings and ratings
- Best middle schools in Wichita2026 rankings and ratings
- All 124 schools in WichitaElementary, middle and high
- Kansas schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings