Best Schools in Topeka, Kansas
52 schools · 30 Elementary · 9 Middle · 9 High · 4 Other
Choosing a school in Topeka?
Use this page to compare every school in Topeka 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.
Whitson Elem
Elementary · Topeka Public Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Jay Shideler Elementary
Elementary · Auburn-Washburn. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
North Fairview
Elementary · Seaman. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Topeka for 2026 are Whitson Elem (8.6/10), Jay Shideler Elementary (8.5/10), and North Fairview (8.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 41 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
52
42 public · 10 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$153,714
home value · ACS
Districts
5
serving the city
Schools
52
42 public · 10 private
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$153,714
home value · ACS
Districts
5
serving the city
Rates 8.6/10 despite 63% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.0 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Topeka schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Topeka
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 41 rated schools; 52 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whitson Elem | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Jay Shideler Elementary | 8.5 / 10 |
| 3 | North Fairview | 8.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Elmont Elem | 8.3 / 10 |
| 5 | West Indianola Elem | 7.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Northern Hills Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Jardine Elementary | 7.9 / 10 |
| 8 | Mccarter Elem | 7.8 / 10 |
| 9 | State Street Elem | 7.8 / 10 |
| 10 | Scott Dual Language Magnet | 7.7 / 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
- 6.7/10
- Median household income
- $65,945
- Median home value
- $153,714
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29%
- Avg commute
- 17 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 62%
46% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Topeka compares
Kansas rank
#50 of 138
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above Kansas avg (6.4)
Median household income
$66k
92% of Kansas median
Schools in this city
50
Topeka Public Schools runs 62% of Topeka's public schools
Topeka touches 5 districts, but Topeka Public Schools is the one most addresses actually attend.
Topeka Public Schools accounts for 26 of 42 public schools (62%). The other 4 districts hold the remaining 16.
Among 41 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.1 to 8.6 — the spread is inside Topeka, not a citywide average.
- Topeka Public Schools26 public · 62%
- Auburn-Washburn7 public · 17%
- Seaman7 public · 17%
- Department of Corrections1 public · 2%
- Shawnee Heights1 public · 2%
About Schools in Topeka, Kansas
Topeka's public school system spans 41 ranked schools, giving families a broad range of options across the city. The system averages 6.1 out of 10, with meaningful variation between schools — nine schools, or 22% of the total, score 7 or higher. That upper tier rewards parents who research specific campuses rather than defaulting to proximity alone.
At the elementary level, the city's strongest performers cluster near the top of Kansas statewide rankings. McClure Elementary leads all Topeka public schools with an 8.6 out of 10, the highest score in the city. Whitson Elementary follows at 8.4, and Meadows Elementary scores 8.2. All three sit within that top-performing 22%, making elementary choice one of the more consequential decisions for Topeka families. Strength carries into middle school as well — Marjorie French Middle School scores 7.9, offering a competitive academic environment for students transitioning out of those strong elementary programs.
High school options are more limited in number but include standouts. Capital City High School scores 8.1 out of 10, ranking among the city's top five schools overall. Parents should evaluate high school options early, since program availability and performance gaps between campuses can affect course access and post-secondary preparation.
The practical takeaway for Topeka parents: the city-wide average of 6.1 is solid but masks real differences between schools. Families willing to look beyond their default attendance zone will find that roughly one in five Topeka public schools clears the 7-point threshold — a meaningful concentration of quality options for a mid-sized city. Start with the top-rated elementaries if you have young children, track feeder patterns toward Marjorie French Middle School, and factor Capital City into high school planning. Use school-level scores alongside visit-day observations, since rating data reflects academic performance metrics but won't capture school culture, extracurriculars, or fit for individual students.
Elementary Schools
30 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 434 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.6 |
| 2 | 519 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.5 |
| 3 | 302 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.4 |
| 4 | 313 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.3 |
| 5 | 438 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.9 |
| 6 | 419 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.9 |
| 7 | 714 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 |
| 8 | 392 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.8 |
| 9 | 419 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.8 |
| 10 | 386 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.7 |
Show all 30 elementary schools in Topeka
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 462 students · 6th–8th | 7.6 | ||
| 2 | 421 students · 6th–8th | 7.1 | ||
| 3 | 348 students · 6th–8th | 6.5 | ||
| 4 | 512 students · 6th–8th | 6.3 | ||
| 5 | 368 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 | ||
| 6 | 1,008 students · 7th–8th | 5.6 | ||
| 7 | 558 students · 7th–8th | 4.4 | ||
| 8 | 427 students · 6th–8th | 4.1 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Topeka Adventist SchoolPrivate 7 students · 1st–7th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,508 students · 9th–12th | 5.9 | ||
| 2 | 1,885 students · 9th–12th | 5.7 | ||
| 3 | 1,009 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 | ||
| 4 | 1,179 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 | ||
| 5 | 64 students · 7th–12th | 5.3 | ||
| 6 | 77 students · 7th–12th | 5.2 | ||
| 7 | 836 students · 9th–12th | 4.7 | ||
| 8 | 84 students · 9th–12th | 4.5 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Hayden Catholic High SchoolPrivate 321 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Heritage Christian SchoolPrivate 141 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Cair Paravel Latin SchoolPrivate 427 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Cair Paravel Latin SchoolPrivate 432 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Topeka
Topeka, Kansas · 52 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 15 ZIP codes
Median Income
$65,945
Median Home Value
$153,714
Median Rent
$1,013/mo
Population
161,578
College Educated
29%
Homeownership
62%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
14.2%
Community Profile
Topeka has a median household income of $65,945. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,714, with a median rent of $1,013/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Kansas
- Elementary
- 30
- Middle
- 9
- High
- 9
- Other
- 4
Resources
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 Topeka, Kansas
How many schools are in Topeka, Kansas?
Topeka has 52 schools, including 42 public and 10 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Topeka, Kansas?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Topeka is 6.7 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 Topeka, Kansas?
The top-ranked school in Topeka on MySchoolScout is Whitson Elem with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Topeka, Kansas?
The top-ranked elementary school in Topeka on MySchoolScout is Whitson Elem with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Topeka, Kansas?
The top-ranked middle school in Topeka on MySchoolScout is Marjorie French Middle School with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best high school in Topeka, Kansas?
The top-ranked high school in Topeka on MySchoolScout is Topeka High with a composite score of 5.9/10.
How many school districts serve Topeka, Kansas?
Topeka is served by 5 school districts: Department of Corrections, Auburn-Washburn, Seaman, Shawnee Heights, Topeka Public Schools.
What is the education level in Topeka, Kansas?
According to Census data, 29% of adults in Topeka have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Topeka, Kansas?
The median household income in Topeka is approximately $65,945 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Topeka, Kansas?
Yes, Topeka has 10 private schools alongside 42 public schools. The top-rated private school is Topeka Collegiate School with a score of 8.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Topeka, Kansas?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Topeka is 12.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Topeka, 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.