Average
#516 of 1,293 schools in KS
Top 40% in state
Central School
School · Atchison Public Schools
301 1/2 North 5th Street, Atchison, KS 66002
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher
6.7:1
Score
6.6
Grades
1st – 12th
Enrollment
47
Student-Teacher
6.7:1
Score
6.6
Grades
1st – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Atchison
#2 of 4
public schools
Kansas schools
#5 of 24
In district
#2 of 4
Atchison Public Schools
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Central School
Central School in Atchison, Kansas, serves students from first grade through twelfth grade with a student body of just 47 students. The school's small size allows for a personalized learning environment with a student-to-teacher ratio of 6.7:1 and seven full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to meeting the needs of each child. Central School is located in a town setting, providing a close-knit community atmosphere where students can feel supported and engaged.
While Central School's academic performance currently ranks in the lower half among Kansas schools with room for improvement, particularly in ELA/Reading (17% proficient or above) and Math (10% proficient or above), there is potential for growth. The school focuses on student development and offers a supportive environment that encourages learning and community involvement. Central School sits at 301 1/2 North 5th Street, right in the heart of Atchison's town center, making it easily accessible to families who want their children to be part of an intimate educational community.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 47 students, Central School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Central School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.7:1, Central School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Central School — Students at Central School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.9%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.4/10.
How Central School Compares
See how Central School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022).
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. CENTRAL ELEM. (rated 9.5/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Weston), which scores notably higher. Another option is Troy Elem (rated 8.1/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Troy), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WEST PLATTE HIGH (rated 8.1/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Weston), 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 | 4.7 |
| 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 | 6.8 |
| MAUR HILL - MOUNT ACADEMY Atchison | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Atchison Elementary School Atchison | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| RUSHVILLE ELEM. Rushville | 5.9 mi | 7.1 |
| DEKALB JR.-SR. HIGH Dekalb | 10.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Pleasant Ridge Middle Easton | 14.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Pleasant Ridge High Easton | 14.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Doniphan West Elementary School Denton | 13.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Easton | 14.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Troy High and Middle School Troy | 15.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Troy Elem Troy | 15.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Jefferson County North Elem/Middle Nortonville | 14.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Riverside Virtual High School Wathena | 16.4 mi | — |
| Riverside High School Wathena | 16.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Riverside Middle School Wathena | 16.4 mi | 7.1 |
| CENTRAL ELEM. Weston | 15.4 mi | 9.5 |
| WEST PLATTE HIGH Weston | 15.4 mi | 8.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central School has a median household income of $62,738. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $145,100, with a median rent of $754/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Haven Virtual Academy Haven, KS | 6.5 |
| WICHITA ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wichita, KS | 7.1 |
| NORTHFIELD SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS Wichita, KS | 5.4 |
| FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST SCHOOL Liberal, KS | 8.0 |
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 is ranked #516 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Central School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central School has 10.0% math proficiency and 16.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,499/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Atchison). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (913) 360-6540
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Atchison Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,476
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,272
- District Rank
- #2 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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