Needs Improvement
#1188 of 1,294 schools in KS
Central School
School · Atchison Public Schools
301 1/2 North 5th Street, Atchison, KS 66002
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher
6.7:1
Score
3.9
Grades
1st – 12th
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher
6.7:1
Score
3.9
Grades
1st – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Kansas schools
#1,188 of 1,294
In Atchison
#3 of 4
public schools
In district
#3 of 4
Atchison Public Schools
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Excellent
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Central School
School in Atchison · grades 1st – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Atchison Middle School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Trinity Lutheran School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Central School
Central School is a public school in Atchison, KS, part of Atchison Public Schools. Central School serves approximately 47 students, and covers grades 1st-12th, and has a 6.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,188 of 1,294 schools in KS.
Structured state assessment records for Central School show 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.7
- KS avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 47 students, Central School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Central School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
At 6.7:1 students to teachers, Central School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Central School — Students at Central School score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KS KAP (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from KS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Central School Compares
See how Central School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
301 1/2 North 5th Street, Atchison, KS 66002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Pleasant Ridge Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Easton), which scores notably higher. Another option is WEST PLATTE HIGH (rated 8.2/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Weston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riverside High School (rated 7.8/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Wathena), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Atchison, see our Atchison schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Atchison Middle School Atchison | 0.0 mi | 3.8 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Atchison | 0.3 mi | 5.0 |
| ST BENEDICT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Atchison | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Atchison High School Atchison | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| MAUR HILL - MOUNT ACADEMY Atchison | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Atchison Elementary School Atchison | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| RUSHVILLE ELEM. Rushville | 5.9 mi | 6.3 |
| DEKALB JR.-SR. HIGH Dekalb | 10.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Pleasant Ridge Middle Easton | 14.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Pleasant Ridge High Easton | 14.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Doniphan West Elementary School Denton | 13.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Easton | 14.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Troy High and Middle School Troy | 15.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Troy Elem Troy | 15.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Jefferson County North Elem/Middle Nortonville | 14.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Riverside Virtual High School Wathena | 16.4 mi | — |
| Riverside High School Wathena | 16.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Riverside Middle School Wathena | 16.4 mi | 6.6 |
| CENTRAL ELEM. Weston | 15.4 mi | 5.5 |
| WEST PLATTE HIGH Weston | 15.4 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 66002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,738
Median Home Value
$145,100
Median Rent
$754/mo
Population
13,197
College Educated
27%
Homeownership
69.2%
Avg Commute
20.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.9%
Median Age
33.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| USD 265 - Goddard Virtual School Goddard, KS | 3.9 |
| Oxford Online Virtual School Oxford, KS | 4.1 |
| NORTHFIELD SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS Wichita, KS | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central School
What grades does Central School serve?
Central School serves students in grades 1st through 12th.
How many students attend Central School?
Central School has an enrollment of approximately 47 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central School is 6.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central School rank in KS?
Central School ranks #1,188 of 1,294 schools in KS.
What is Central School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Central School has 16% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Central School a charter school?
No, Central School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central School a Title I school?
No, Central School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central School?
80.9% of students at Central School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 1st – 12th
- Enrollment
- 47
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Atchison County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 85.1%
- Phone
- (913) 360-6540
- 4-Year Graduation
- <50%
Resources & Links
District
Atchison Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,476
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,272
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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