Average
#1037 of 1,293 schools in KS
Highland Park Central
Elementary School · Topeka Public Schools
2717 SE Illinois Ave, Topeka, KS 66605
Enrollment
308
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
308
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Topeka
#34 of 41
public schools
Kansas elementary schools
#592 of 711
In district
#21 of 25
Topeka Public Schools
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Highland Park Central
Highland Park Central is an elementary school located in Topeka, Kansas, serving students from pre-K through fifth grade. With a student body of 308 students and a teacher-student ratio of 12.8:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's needs. The school has 24 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support the educational development of their young students.
Highland Park Central receives a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and is ranked at #1043 among the 1,298 schools in Kansas, placing it in the 20th percentile statewide. While academic scores are currently lower with only 12% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 9% proficiency in Math across all grades, the school continues to focus on student development and is committed to improvement. Highland Park Central is situated in a mid-size city setting within Shawnee County, offering students access to urban resources while maintaining a close-knit community atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
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Highland Park Central — Students at Highland Park Central score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.5%
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: 4.8/10.
How Highland Park Central Compares
See how Highland Park Central performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 7.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 7.5% (2022).
Location
2717 SE Illinois Ave, Topeka, KS 66605
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Park Central may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Meadows Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MATER DEI CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shawnee Heights Elem (rated 7.1/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Topeka, see our Topeka schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST MATTHEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL Topeka | 0.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Highland Park High Topeka | 0.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Ross Elementary Topeka | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Eisenhower Middle School Topeka | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet School Topeka | 1.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Avondale Academy Topeka | 1.8 mi | — |
| Scott Dual Language Magnet Topeka | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Robinson Middle School Topeka | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Topeka High Topeka | 2.6 mi | 4.8 |
| MATER DEI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Topeka | 2.7 mi | 7.4 |
| CAIR PARAVEL LATIN SCHOOL Topeka | 3.0 mi | 5.9 |
| CAIR PARAVEL LATIN SCHOOL Topeka | 3.0 mi | 5.9 |
| State Street Elem Topeka | 3.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Chase Middle School Topeka | 3.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Lowman Hill Elem Topeka | 3.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Jardine Elementary Topeka | 2.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Jardine Middle School Topeka | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Meadows Elementary Topeka | 3.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Randolph Elem Topeka | 3.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Shawnee Heights Elem Topeka | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 66605 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,623
Median Home Value
$157,200
Median Rent
$856/mo
Population
20,592
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
20.1 min
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Median Age
37.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Park Central has a median household income of $57,623. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,200, with a median rent of $856/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Derby Hills Elem Derby, KS | 5.1 |
| Lincoln Elem Junction City, KS | 5.1 |
| Millbrooke Elementary Olathe, KS | 5.1 |
| Pauline Central Primary Topeka, KS | 5.1 |
| Bentley Primary School Bentley, KS | 5.0 |
| Benton Elem Wichita, KS | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Park Central
What grades does Highland Park Central serve?
Highland Park Central serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Highland Park Central?
Highland Park Central has an enrollment of approximately 308 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Park Central?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Park Central is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Park Central rank in KS?
Highland Park Central is ranked #1037 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Highland Park Central's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Park Central has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Highland Park Central?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Park Central has 9.0% math proficiency and 12.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland Park Central a charter school?
No, Highland Park Central is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Park Central a Title I school?
No, Highland Park Central is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Park Central?
92.5% of students at Highland Park Central 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
- High (4,517/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Topeka). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 308
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Shawnee County
- Phone
- (785) 235-7000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Topeka Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 12,601
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,935
- District Rank
- #21 of 25
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.
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