Best Schools in Ottawa, Kansas
7 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Ottawa?
Use this page to compare every school in Ottawa by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Sunflower Elementary School
Elementary · Ottawa. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Garfield Elem
Elementary · Ottawa. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lincoln Elem
Elementary · Ottawa. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Ottawa for 2026 are Sunflower Elementary School (8.8/10), Garfield Elem (7.7/10), and Lincoln Elem (6.5/10), 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
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$175,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$175,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Ottawa
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunflower Elementary School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Garfield Elem | 7.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Lincoln Elem | 6.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Ottawa Middle School | 4.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Sacred Heart Catholic School | 4.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Ottawa SR High | 4.4 / 10 |
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
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $70,653
- Median home value
- $175,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Ottawa compares
Kansas rank
#82 of 140
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below Kansas avg (6.4)
Median household income
$71k
98% of Kansas median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Ottawa, Kansas
Ottawa, Kansas is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Ottawa 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 Ottawa is Sunflower Elementary School with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Ottawa is served by 1 school district: Ottawa. These districts collectively serve 2,241 students.
Ottawa's community shows 28% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $70,653. The poverty rate in the area is 10.3%.
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.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 328 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.8 | ||
| 2 | 342 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.7 | ||
| 3 | 358 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.5 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Sacred Heart Catholic School
Private
79 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.6 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 485 students · 6th–8th | 4.9 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 710 students · 9th–12th | 4.4 |
| 2 | 18 students · 6th–12th | — |
Schools in Ottawa
Ottawa, Kansas · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$70,653
Median Home Value
$175,600
Median Rent
$957/mo
Population
16,146
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Community Profile
Ottawa has a median household income of $70,653. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $175,600, with a median rent of $957/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Kansas
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Kansas
Top metros statewide by school count.
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 rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Ottawa, Kansas
How many schools are in Ottawa, Kansas?
Ottawa has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Ottawa, Kansas?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Ottawa is 6.1 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 Ottawa, Kansas?
The top-ranked school in Ottawa on MySchoolScout is Sunflower Elementary School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Ottawa, Kansas?
The top-ranked elementary school in Ottawa on MySchoolScout is Sunflower Elementary School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Ottawa, Kansas?
The top-ranked middle school in Ottawa on MySchoolScout is Ottawa Middle School with a composite score of 4.9/10.
What is the best high school in Ottawa, Kansas?
The top-ranked high school in Ottawa on MySchoolScout is Ottawa SR High with a composite score of 4.4/10.
How many school districts serve Ottawa, Kansas?
Ottawa is served by 1 school district: Ottawa.
What is the education level in Ottawa, Kansas?
According to Census data, 28% of adults in Ottawa have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Ottawa, Kansas?
The median household income in Ottawa is approximately $70,653 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Ottawa, Kansas?
Yes, Ottawa has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Sacred Heart Catholic School with a score of 4.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Ottawa, Kansas?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Ottawa is 12.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Ottawa, 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.