Excellent
#51 of 1,293 schools in KS
Top 4% in state
Central Elem
Elementary School · Baxter Springs
1501 Park Ave, Baxter Springs, KS 66713
Enrollment
222
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
8.9
Grades
3rd – 6th
Enrollment
222
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
8.9
Grades
3rd – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Baxter Springs
#1 of 4
public schools
Kansas elementary schools
#48 of 711
In district
#1 of 4
Baxter Springs
Academic performance
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Elem
Central Elem is a public elementary school in Baxter Springs, KS, part of the Baxter Springs. The school serves approximately 222 students in grades 3rd – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 96.1th percentile among KS schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 45% proficiency in math and 50% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $64,271, where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Central Elem may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Central Elem — Students at Central Elem score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.
How Central Elem Compares
See how Central Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 45% (2019) to 49% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 55% (2022).
Location
1501 Park Ave, Baxter Springs, KS 66713
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WASHINGTON ES (rated 8.9/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Miami), with a very similar rating. Another option is ST MARYS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Joplin), a more accessible option. Additionally, Riverton Elem (rated 7.2/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Riverton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Baxter Springs, see our Baxter Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Elem Baxter Springs | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Baxter Springs High Baxter Springs | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| USD 508 eAcademy Baxter Springs | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Riverton Elem Riverton | 4.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Riverton Middle Riverton | 4.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Riverton High Riverton | 4.1 mi | 5.4 |
| QUAPAW ES Quapaw | 4.9 mi | 2.9 |
| QUAPAW HS Quapaw | 5.2 mi | 7.6 |
| QUAPAW MS Quapaw | 5.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Spring Grove Primary Center Galena | 6.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Liberty Elem Galena | 6.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Galena High Galena | 6.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Galena Middle School Galena | 6.8 mi | 7.8 |
| ALEXANDER ES Commerce | 9.3 mi | 4.1 |
| ST MARYS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Joplin | 8.9 mi | 7.3 |
| COMMERCE MS Commerce | 9.6 mi | 4.3 |
| COMMERCE HS Commerce | 9.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Park Elem Columbus | 11.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Central Elem Columbus | 11.5 mi | 6.7 |
| WASHINGTON ES Miami | 11.3 mi | 8.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 66713 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,271
Median Home Value
$94,100
Median Rent
$838/mo
Population
5,560
College Educated
15.9%
Homeownership
71.4%
Poverty Rate
16.5%
Median Age
39
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elem has a median household income of $64,271. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $94,100, with a median rent of $838/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.5%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bluemont Elementary School Manhattan, KS | 8.9 |
| Lincoln Central Elem Cherryvale, KS | 8.9 |
| Remington Elementary at Potwin Potwin, KS | 8.9 |
| Bennington Elem Bennington, KS | 8.8 |
| Fairview Elem Olathe, KS | 9.0 |
| Garfield School Parsons, KS | 9.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elem
What grades does Central Elem serve?
Central Elem serves students in grades 3rd through 6th.
How many students attend Central Elem?
Central Elem has an enrollment of approximately 222 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elem?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elem is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elem rank in KS?
Central Elem is ranked #51 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Central Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elem has a composite rating of 8.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central Elem?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elem has 45.3% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Elem a charter school?
No, Central Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elem a Title I school?
No, Central Elem is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elem?
67.6% of students at Central Elem qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Baxter Springs). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 6th
- Enrollment
- 222
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Cherokee County
- Phone
- (620) 856-3311
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Baxter Springs- District Enrollment
- 867
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,044
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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