6.3 avg / 10

Best Schools in Independence, Kansas

8 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other

Last updated: July 2026

Public: 5

Private: 3

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 6.3/10

Estimated Scores: 25%

Move-ready shortlistcity map + schools

Choosing a school in Independence?

Use this page to compare every school in Independence by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.

Explore the map How we rate schools

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Elementary · Independence. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

The short answer

The top-rated schools in Independence for 2026 are Jefferson School (8.2/10), Zion Lutheran School (7.7/10), and Independence Bible School (7.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.

Schools

5 public · 3 private

Avg Score

6.3

out of 10

Median Home

$109,500

home value · ACS

District

serving the city

Schools

5 public · 3 private

Avg Score

6.3

out of 10

Median Home

$109,500

home value · ACS

District

serving the city

Top-Rated Schools in Independence

Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.

#	School	Rating	Level	Value	State %ile
1	Jefferson School	8.2 / 10	Elementary	—	84th
2	Zion Lutheran School	7.7 / 10	Elementary	—	88th
3	Independence Bible School	7.1 / 10	Other	—	68th
4	Independence SR High	6.0 / 10	High	—	40th
5	St Andrew Catholic School	5.5 / 10	Elementary	—	30th
6	Independence Middle	5.4 / 10	Middle	—	29th

See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 6.3/10
Median household income: $54,905
Median home value: $109,500
Bachelor's degree or higher: 26%
Avg commute: 18 min
Owner-occupied homes: 72%

How Independence compares

Kansas rank

#71 of 140

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.1

below Kansas avg (6.4)

Median household income

$55k

76% of Kansas median

Schools in this city

About Schools in Independence, Kansas

Independence, Kansas is home to 8 schools, including 5 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.

With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in Independence show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.

The highest-performing school in Independence is Jefferson School with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Independence is served by 1 school district: Independence. These districts collectively serve 1,828 students.

Independence's community shows 26% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $54,905. The poverty rate in the area is 13.6%.

Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.

Filter by Level: All Levels (8) Elementary (4) Middle (1) High (2)

Filter by Type: All Types (8) Public (5) Private (3)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (8) Academics (5) Growth (3) Resources (5)

Filter by ZIP: 67301 (8)

Elementary Schools

4 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Jefferson School 380 students · 3rd–5th	380	3rd–5th	8.2
2	Eisenhower Elem 353 students · Pre-K–2nd	353	Pre-K–2nd	7.2
Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	Zion Lutheran School Private 45 students · Pre-K–8th	45	Pre-K–8th	7.7
2	St Andrew Catholic School Private 61 students · Pre-K–8th	61	Pre-K–8th	Not Rated

Middle Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Independence Middle 389 students · 6th–8th	389	6th–8th	5.4

High Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Independence SR High 534 students · 9th–12th	534	9th–12th	6.0
2	Bridges Academy 34 students · 6th–12th	34	6th–12th	3.1

Other Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Independence Bible School Private 81 students · Kindergarten–12th	81	Kindergarten–12th	7.1

Schools in Independence

Independence, Kansas · 8 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$54,905

Median Home Value

$109,500

Median Rent

$798/mo

Population

12,996

College Educated

26%

Homeownership

72%

Avg Commute

18 min

Poverty Rate

13.6%

Community Profile

Independence has a median household income of $54,905. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,500, with a median rent of $798/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Schools by Level

State: Kansas
Elementary: 4
Middle: 1
High: 2
Other: 1

Resources

🔍 Google "Independence schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Independence 📊 Niche Independence Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School District

Independence

5 schools · 1,828 students

Nearby Cities

Neodesha (3 schools)

14 mi

Coffeyville (4 schools)

14 mi

Tyro (1 school)

15 mi

Cherryvale (3 schools)

Mound Valley (1 school)

Other Major Cities in Kansas

Top metros statewide by school count.

Wichita 124 schools Kansas City 63 schools Overland Park 59 schools Olathe 57 schools Topeka 53 schools

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Independence, Kansas

How many schools are in Independence, Kansas?

Independence has 8 schools, including 5 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Independence, Kansas?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Independence is 6.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.

What is the top-ranked school in Independence, Kansas?

The top-ranked school in Independence on MySchoolScout is Jefferson School with a composite score of 8.2/10.

What is the best elementary school in Independence, Kansas?

The top-ranked elementary school in Independence on MySchoolScout is Jefferson School with a composite score of 8.2/10.

What is the best middle school in Independence, Kansas?

The top-ranked middle school in Independence on MySchoolScout is Independence Middle with a composite score of 5.4/10.

What is the best high school in Independence, Kansas?

The top-ranked high school in Independence on MySchoolScout is Independence SR High with a composite score of 6.0/10.

How many school districts serve Independence, Kansas?

Independence is served by 1 school district: Independence.

What is the education level in Independence, Kansas?

According to Census data, 26% of adults in Independence have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Independence, Kansas?

The median household income in Independence is approximately $54,905 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Independence, Kansas?

Yes, Independence has 3 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Zion Lutheran School with a score of 7.7/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Independence, Kansas?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Independence is 10.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Independence, Kansas?

MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.

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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Kansas Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.