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Average

#991 of 1,293 schools in KS

Dexter Elem

Elementary School · Dexter

P.O. Box 97, Dexter, KS 67038

Enrollment

122

Student-Teacher

17.4:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dexter

#2 of 2

public schools

Kansas elementary schools

#572 of 711

In district

#2 of 2

Dexter

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Dexter Elem

Dexter Elem is a small rural elementary school located in Dexter, Kansas, nestled in the heart of Cowley County. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school houses an enrollment of 122 students with seven full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 17.4:1. The setting is remote and rural, offering a close-knit community atmosphere.

Academically, Dexter Elem has room for improvement as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10. However, the school's academic score stands at an 8.2 out of 10, reflecting solid foundational learning programs and teacher support. Students perform around average in reading with 51% achieving proficiency or above, while math scores are slightly lower with 48% meeting or exceeding standards.

Despite its remote location, Dexter Elem fosters a supportive environment that encourages student development and community engagement.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 122 students, Dexter Elem 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.

Located in a rural area, Dexter Elem 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected+15.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,028

Dexter Elem — Students at Dexter Elem score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.2%
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
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Dexter Elem Compares

See how Dexter Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
23th percentile in KS
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

P.O. Box 97, Dexter, KS 67038

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dexter Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cedar Vale Elem (rated 9.3/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Cedar Vale), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lowell Elem (rated 9.0/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Winfield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Central Elem (rated 7.2/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Burden), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dexter, see our Dexter schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Dexter High Dexter 0.0 mi 6.9
Central Jr-Sr High Burden 9.7 mi 5.7
Central Elem Burden 10.0 mi 7.2
Country View Elem Winfield 10.2 mi 3.9
Cedar Vale Elem Cedar Vale 13.0 mi 9.3
Cedar Vale High Cedar Vale 13.0 mi 7.9
Winfield High Winfield 14.6 mi 5.5
Winfield Middle School Winfield 14.6 mi 5.1
Whittier Elem Winfield 14.8 mi 5.9
C 4 Elem Arkansas City 15.6 mi 5.7
Irving Elem Winfield 15.6 mi 6.8
Lowell Elem Winfield 15.8 mi 9.0
Arkansas City Middle Sch Arkansas City 18.9 mi 2.8
Jefferson Elem Arkansas City 19.1 mi 6.9
ARK CITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Arkansas City 19.1 mi 6.3
Roosevelt Elem Arkansas City 19.4 mi 6.8
Frances Willard Elem Arkansas City 19.8 mi 4.6
Arkansas City High Arkansas City 19.8 mi 4.4
Adams Elem Arkansas City 19.9 mi 4.0
I X L Elem Arkansas City 21.5 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 67038 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,500

Median Home Value

$106,800

Median Rent

$513/mo

Population

699

College Educated

17.2%

Homeownership

90.4%

Poverty Rate

16%

Median Age

19

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dexter Elem has a median household income of $52,500. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $106,800, with a median rent of $513/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Pretty Prairie Elem Pretty Prairie, KS 5.2
Weskan Elem Weskan, KS 5.2
Axtell Elementary School Axtell, KS 5.3
Edgerton Elem Edgerton, KS 5.3
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL OST Mount Hope, KS 5.1
Chase Raymond Primary Intermediate School Chase, KS 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dexter Elem

What grades does Dexter Elem serve?

Dexter Elem serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Dexter Elem?

Dexter Elem has an enrollment of approximately 122 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dexter Elem?

The student-teacher ratio at Dexter Elem is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dexter Elem rank in KS?

Dexter Elem is ranked #991 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Dexter Elem's MySchoolScout rating?

Dexter Elem has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Dexter Elem?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dexter Elem has 47.8% math proficiency and 51.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dexter Elem a charter school?

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

Is Dexter Elem a Title I school?

No, Dexter Elem is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dexter Elem?

57.4% of students at Dexter Elem 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
Low (145/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
122
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Cowley County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dexter
District Enrollment
287
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,206
District Rank
#2 of 2

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.

Read our full methodology

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