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Below Average

#1218 of 1,293 schools in KS

Circle High

High School · Circle

PO Box 159, Towanda, KS 67144

Enrollment

605

Student-Teacher

19.5:1

Score

4.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Towanda

#1 of 2

public schools

Kansas high schools

#308 of 336

In district

#5 of 6

Circle

About Circle High

Circle High in Towanda, Kansas is a regular public high school serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 605 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.5:1, Circle High provides individualized attention to its diverse group of learners. The school has 31 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support the educational needs of each student.

Circle High’s academic performance is currently at the lower end of the state ranking, coming in at #1285 out of 1298 schools across Kansas. This places it in the first percentile, indicating there's room for improvement in both ELA and math proficiency rates, where only 30% and 20% of students are proficient or above, respectively. Located in a rural setting, Circle High benefits from a close-knit community that values education but faces unique challenges due to its location.

The school continues to focus on student development and growth, striving to improve academic outcomes for its dedicated learners.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Circle High 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-18.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,147

Circle High — Students at Circle High score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 20.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 30.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
22%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Circle High Compares

See how Circle High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
6th percentile in KS
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
2.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

PO Box 159, Towanda, KS 67144

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Circle High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Augusta Sr High (rated 5.8/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Augusta), which scores notably higher. Another option is Andover High (rated 4.5/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Andover), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, El Dorado High (rated 3.9/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby El Dorado), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Towanda, see our Towanda schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Circle Towanda Elementary Towanda 0.5 mi 2.9
ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Augusta 6.6 mi 5.5
Ewalt Elementary Augusta 6.8 mi 5.9
Augusta Sr High Augusta 6.9 mi 5.8
Lincoln Elem Augusta 7.0 mi 6.2
Circle Oil Hill Elementary El Dorado 5.8 mi 6.8
Garfield Elem Augusta 7.7 mi 5.8
Circle Benton Elementary Benton 6.2 mi 7.9
Augusta Middle School Augusta 7.9 mi 5.4
Circle Middle School Benton 6.4 mi 6.4
Skelly Elementary School El Dorado 6.8 mi 6.9
Blackmore Elementary El Dorado 7.2 mi 6.8
El Dorado Virtual School El Dorado 7.7 mi
Remington Elementary at Potwin Potwin 10.2 mi 8.9
El Dorado High El Dorado 8.8 mi 3.9
El Dorado Middle El Dorado 9.1 mi 4.6
Andover High Andover 9.3 mi 4.5
Andover Middle School Andover 9.4 mi 6.1
Cottonwood Elementary Andover 9.4 mi 6.6
Grandview Elem El Dorado 9.3 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 67144 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,167

Median Home Value

$166,700

Median Rent

$1,068/mo

Population

2,775

College Educated

27.9%

Homeownership

85%

Avg Commute

22.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.2%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Circle High has a median household income of $74,167. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,700, with a median rent of $1,068/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Buhler High Buhler, KS 4.0
Highland Park High Topeka, KS 4.0
El Dorado High El Dorado, KS 3.9
F L Schlagle High Kansas City, KS 4.3
Northeast Magnet High School Bel Aire, KS 4.3
Piper High Kansas City, KS 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Circle High

What grades does Circle High serve?

Circle High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Circle High?

Circle High has an enrollment of approximately 605 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Circle High?

The student-teacher ratio at Circle High is 19.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Circle High rank in KS?

Circle High is ranked #1218 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Circle High's MySchoolScout rating?

Circle High has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Circle High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Circle High has 20.3% math proficiency and 30.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Circle High a charter school?

No, Circle High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Circle High a Title I school?

No, Circle High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Circle High?

32.2% of students at Circle High 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

County Safety
Average (256/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
605
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Butler County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Circle
District Enrollment
2,087
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,454
District Rank
#5 of 6

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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