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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.1Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,752

Central School — Students at Central School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 16.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
10%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.6/10
60th percentile in KS
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Atchison Public Schools
District Enrollment
1,476
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,272
District Rank
#2 of 4

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.

Read our full methodology

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