Skip to main content

Very Good

#356 of 1,293 schools in KS

Top 28% in state

Lakeside Junior/senior High School

High School · Waconda

1306 N Morgan, Downs, KS 67437

Enrollment

135

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

7.2

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Kansas high schools

#64 of 336

In district

#3 of 3

Waconda

School environment

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Lakeside Junior/senior High School

Lakeside Junior/Senior High School serves 135 students in grades 6 through 12 in the small rural community of Downs, Kansas. This public school maintains an intimate learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1, supported by 12 full-time equivalent teachers who can provide personalized attention to each student. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #217 out of 1,298 schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile among Kansas schools.

Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 42% achieving proficiency or above, while 37% demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic growth in a supportive small-school setting. The surrounding community of Downs reflects stable rural values, with a median household income of $65,000 and a relatively low poverty rate of 10.6%.

About 35% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, indicating a community that values education. With a ZIP code population of just 869 people and median home values around $102,000, Lakeside serves families in a close-knit agricultural community where everyone knows their neighbors. The school's remote rural location provides students with a peaceful, focused learning environment away from urban distractions.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 135 students, Lakeside Junior/senior High School 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, Lakeside Junior/senior High School 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 Progress5.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.3Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected+10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,766

Lakeside Junior/senior High School — Students at Lakeside Junior/senior High School score 40% 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%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.3%
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
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
37%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Lakeside Junior/senior High School Compares

See how Lakeside Junior/senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
73th percentile in KS
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
5.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

1306 N Morgan, Downs, KS 67437

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lakeside Junior/senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Osborne Junior/Senior High (rated 8.0/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Osborne), which scores slightly higher. Another option is THUNDER RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 31.3 miles away, in nearby Kensington), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Natoma High (6-12) (rated 7.7/10, 33.6 miles away, in nearby Natoma), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Downs, see our Downs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 38.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Lakeside Elementary Cawker City 5.8 mi 9.1
Osborne Junior/Senior High Osborne 9.4 mi 8.0
Osborne Elem Osborne 9.4 mi 7.5
TIPTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Tipton 12.4 mi
Tipton Community School Tipton 12.4 mi 9.1
Smith Center Jr Sr High Smith Center 22.4 mi 6.7
Smith Center Elem Smith Center 22.3 mi 4.8
Beloit Elem Beloit 23.2 mi 5.6
Rock Hills Elementary School Mankato 26.2 mi 4.6
Beloit Jr-Sr High Beloit 23.5 mi 6.6
Rock Hills Jr/Sr High School Mankato 26.6 mi 5.8
ST JOHN'S GRADE SCHOOL Beloit 23.9 mi 6.7
ST JOHN'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL Beloit 23.9 mi 6.7
Lucas/Sylvan Elementary Unified Lucas 30.9 mi 9.3
Sylvan-Lucas Unified Jr. sr Sylvan Grove 35.0 mi 5.6
THUNDER RIDGE ELEMENTARY Kensington 31.3 mi 4.2
THUNDER RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Kensington 31.3 mi 7.9
Natoma High (6-12) Natoma 33.6 mi 7.7
Natoma Elem Natoma 33.7 mi 9.5
Lincoln Elem Lincoln 38.8 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 67437 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,167

Median Home Value

$108,700

Median Rent

$594/mo

Population

907

College Educated

37.5%

Homeownership

82.6%

Avg Commute

18.1 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

47.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lakeside Junior/senior High School has a median household income of $69,167. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $108,700, with a median rent of $594/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Caldwell Secondary School Caldwell, KS 7.2
Doniphan West JR/SR High School Highland, KS 7.3
Flinthills High School Rosalia, KS 7.3
Trego Community High Wakeeney, KS 7.3
Washington County High School Washington, KS 7.3
Chisholm Life Skills Center Wichita, KS 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lakeside Junior/senior High School

What grades does Lakeside Junior/senior High School serve?

Lakeside Junior/senior High School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Lakeside Junior/senior High School?

Lakeside Junior/senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 135 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lakeside Junior/senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lakeside Junior/senior High School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lakeside Junior/senior High School rank in KS?

Lakeside Junior/senior High School is ranked #356 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Lakeside Junior/senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lakeside Junior/senior High School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Lakeside Junior/senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lakeside Junior/senior High School has 37.0% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lakeside Junior/senior High School a charter school?

No, Lakeside Junior/senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lakeside Junior/senior High School a Title I school?

No, Lakeside Junior/senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lakeside Junior/senior High School?

57.0% of students at Lakeside Junior/senior High 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
135
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Osborne County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Waconda
District Enrollment
327
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,503
District Rank
#3 of 3

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.