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Needs Improvement

#1259 of 1,294 schools in KS

Central Elem

Elementary School · Dodge City

1100 Central Avenue, Dodge City, KS 67801

Enrollment

387

Student-Teacher

21.5:1

Score

3.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kansas schools

#1,259 of 1,294

In Dodge City

#10 of 11

public schools

In district

#10 of 11

Dodge City

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Central Elem

3.3/10

Elementary School in Dodge City · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sacred Heart Cathedral School

7.4/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Comanche Middle School

4.2/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Central Elem

Central Elem is a public elementary school in Dodge City, KS, part of Dodge City. Central Elem serves approximately 387 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 21.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,259 of 1,294 schools in KS.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elem show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.1
  • KS avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

Central Elem runs 21.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.8% (2025 KAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.5% (2025 KAP)
Overall Proficiency16% (2025 KAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2025 KAP)
vs. Expected-6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,558
Chronic Absenteeism9.3%

Central Elem — Students at Central Elem score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS KAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 36 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2025
Math
13.9%
ELA
18.5%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Central Elem Compares

See how Central Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
3th percentile in KS
Academic
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.3%

Location

1100 Central Avenue, Dodge City, KS 67801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Minneola Elem (rated 9.1/10, 22.1 miles away, in nearby Minneola), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spearville Elem (rated 8.4/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Spearville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fowler Elem (rated 8.2/10, 27.6 miles away, in nearby Fowler), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dodge City, see our Dodge City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 27.6 mi
School Distance Rating
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Dodge City 0.1 mi 7.4
Comanche Middle School Dodge City 0.4 mi 4.2
Miller Elem Dodge City 0.5 mi 5.4
Dodge City Middle School Dodge City 0.9 mi 3.9
Soule Elementary School Dodge City 1.0 mi 2.4
Northwest Elem Dodge City 1.0 mi 3.8
Sunnyside Elem Dodge City 1.3 mi 5.4
Linn Elementary Dodge City 1.4 mi 3.9
Ross Elementary School Dodge City 2.0 mi 5.1
Beeson Elementary Dodge City 1.9 mi 3.5
Dodge City High School Dodge City 2.3 mi 3.7
Spearville Elem Spearville 15.6 mi 8.4
Spearville Jr/Sr High Spearville 15.7 mi 7.4
Minneola Elem Minneola 22.1 mi 9.1
Minneola High Minneola 22.1 mi 6.2
Cimarron High Cimarron 18.1 mi 6.7
Cimarron Elem Cimarron 18.3 mi 5.5
Hodgeman County Elementary Jetmore 23.4 mi 7.4
Hodgeman County High Jetmore 23.5 mi 6.8
Fowler Elem Fowler 27.6 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 67801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,489

Median Home Value

$129,000

Median Rent

$979/mo

Population

30,993

College Educated

20%

Homeownership

63.1%

Avg Commute

12.4 min

Poverty Rate

15.1%

Median Age

31

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Allen Elem Wichita, KS 3.3
Graber Elementary Hutchinson, KS 3.3
Enders STEM and Leadership Magnet Wichita, KS 3.2
Washington Elem Olathe, KS 3.2
MacArthur Elementary School Liberal, KS 3.1
Beeson Elementary Dodge City, KS 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elem

What grades does Central Elem serve?

Central Elem serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Central Elem?

Central Elem has an enrollment of approximately 387 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elem?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elem is 21.5:1. 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 ranks #1,259 of 1,294 schools in KS.

What is Central Elem's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Central Elem?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elem has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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?

92.8% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
64 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
387
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Ford County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.3%

District

Dodge City
District Enrollment
7,181
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,558
District Rank
#10 of 11

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