Below Average
#1190 of 1,293 schools in KS
Cottonwood Elementary School
Elementary School · Liberal
P. O. Box 949, Liberal, KS 67905
Enrollment
514
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
514
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Liberal
#7 of 8
public schools
Kansas elementary schools
#673 of 711
In district
#7 of 8
Liberal
About Cottonwood Elementary School
Cottonwood Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Liberal, Kansas, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 514 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs. The dedicated staff includes 32 full-time equivalent teachers who work tirelessly to support their young learners.
Cottonwood Elementary currently has a MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and ranks 1281st out of 1298 schools in Kansas for academic performance, indicating room for improvement in test scores. Students typically show proficiency rates of 15% in ELA/Reading and 6% in Math across all grades, highlighting areas where the school is focusing on student development. Located in a remote town, Cottonwood Elementary benefits from a close-knit community that values education and supports its young learners through various local initiatives.
The setting offers a peaceful atmosphere conducive to learning while providing unique opportunities for students to engage with their rural surroundings.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Cottonwood Elementary School — Students at Cottonwood Elementary School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.7%
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
↓ 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: 5.4/10.
How Cottonwood Elementary School Compares
See how Cottonwood Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 11% (2019) to 5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 16% (2019) to 11% (2022).
Location
P. O. Box 949, Liberal, KS 67905
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cottonwood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Moscow Elem (rated 8.6/10, 23.9 miles away, in nearby Moscow), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kismet Elem (rated 7.8/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Kismet), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Satanta Elem (rated 7.4/10, 26.8 miles away, in nearby Satanta), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Liberal, see our Liberal schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 27.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Sr High Liberal | 0.6 mi | 3.7 |
| MacArthur Elementary School Liberal | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Eisenhower Middle School Liberal | 0.9 mi | 4.8 |
| FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST SCHOOL Liberal | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Meadowlark Elementary School Liberal | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Sunflower Elementary School Liberal | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Prairie View Elementary School Liberal | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Seymour Rogers Middle School Liberal | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| TYRONE ES Tyrone | 9.6 mi | 6.1 |
| TYRONE HS Tyrone | 9.6 mi | 7.1 |
| TURPIN ES Turpin | 13.2 mi | 4.4 |
| TURPIN HS Turpin | 13.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Kismet Elem Kismet | 16.8 mi | 7.8 |
| HOOKER HS Hooker | 20.1 mi | 5.9 |
| HOOKER ES Hooker | 20.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Southwestern Heights Jr/Sr High Kismet | 20.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Moscow High Moscow | 23.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Moscow Elem Moscow | 23.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Satanta Elem Satanta | 26.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Satanta Jr-Sr High Satanta | 27.1 mi | 6.8 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Baldwin Elementary Primary Center Baldwin City, KS | 4.3 |
| Linwood Elementary Wichita, KS | 4.3 |
| Meadowlark Elementary Wichita, KS | 4.3 |
| Mueller Aerospace/Engineering Discovery Magne Wichita, KS | 4.3 |
| Rockville Elementary School Louisburg, KS | 4.3 |
| Ruth Clark Elementary K-5 Wichita, KS | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cottonwood Elementary School
What grades does Cottonwood Elementary School serve?
Cottonwood Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Cottonwood Elementary School?
Cottonwood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 514 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cottonwood Elementary School rank in KS?
Cottonwood Elementary School is ranked #1190 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Cottonwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Cottonwood Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cottonwood Elementary School has 6.3% math proficiency and 14.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cottonwood Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cottonwood Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cottonwood Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cottonwood Elementary School?
87.7% of students at Cottonwood Elementary 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 (1,418/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Liberal). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 514
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Seward County
- Phone
- (620) 604-2700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Liberal- District Enrollment
- 4,676
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,351
- District Rank
- #7 of 8
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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