Needs Improvement
#1282 of 1,294 schools in KS
Cottonwood Elementary School
Elementary School · Liberal
P. O. Box 949, Liberal, KS 67905
Enrollment
514
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
2.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
514
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
2.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Kansas schools
#1,282 of 1,294
In Liberal
#8 of 8
public schools
In district
#8 of 8
Liberal
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Cottonwood Elementary School
Elementary School in Liberal · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Liberal SR High
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Macarthur Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cottonwood Elementary School
Cottonwood Elementary School is a public elementary school in Liberal, KS, part of Liberal. Cottonwood Elementary School serves approximately 514 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Cottonwood Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,282 of 1,294 schools in KS.
Structured state assessment records for Cottonwood Elementary School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 2.6 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.9
- KS avg 6.9
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cottonwood Elementary School — Students at Cottonwood Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KS KAP (2024-25)
Based on 36 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: 1.8/10.
How Cottonwood Elementary School Compares
See how Cottonwood Elementary 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
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. Kismet Elem (rated 9.8/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Kismet), which scores notably higher. Another option is Moscow Elem (rated 8.8/10, 23.9 miles away, in nearby Moscow), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Prairie View Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.9 miles away), 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 | 2.8 |
| MacArthur Elementary School Liberal | 0.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Eisenhower Middle School Liberal | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST SCHOOL Liberal | 1.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Meadowlark Elementary School Liberal | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Sunflower Elementary School Liberal | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Prairie View Elementary School Liberal | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Seymour Rogers Middle School Liberal | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| TYRONE ES Tyrone | 9.6 mi | 5.5 |
| TYRONE HS Tyrone | 9.6 mi | 7.0 |
| TURPIN ES Turpin | 13.2 mi | 5.0 |
| TURPIN HS Turpin | 13.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Kismet Elem Kismet | 16.8 mi | 9.8 |
| HOOKER HS Hooker | 20.1 mi | 7.4 |
| HOOKER ES Hooker | 20.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Southwestern Heights Jr/Sr High Kismet | 20.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Moscow High Moscow | 23.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Moscow Elem Moscow | 23.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Satanta Elem Satanta | 26.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Satanta Jr-Sr High Satanta | 27.1 mi | 6.4 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Soule Elementary School Dodge City, KS | 2.4 |
| Dodge Literacy Magnet Wichita, KS | 2.9 |
| White Elem Wichita, KS | 2.9 |
| New York Elem Lawrence, KS | 3.0 |
| Park Elementary Wichita, KS | 2.2 |
| Colvin Elem Wichita, KS | 3.1 |
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 ranks #1,282 of 1,294 schools in KS.
What is Cottonwood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cottonwood Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 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 Cottonwood Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cottonwood Elementary School has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.4%
- Phone
- (620) 604-2700
Resources & Links
District
Liberal- District Enrollment
- 4,676
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,351
- District Rank
- #8 of 8
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