Very Good
#341 of 1,294 schools in KS
Top 26% in state
Mccarter Elem
Elementary School · Topeka Public Schools
5512 SW 16th St, Topeka, KS 66604
Enrollment
392
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
392
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Kansas schools
#341 of 1,294
In Topeka
#9 of 41
public schools
In district
#3 of 25
Topeka Public Schools
School environment
8.9 / 10
Excellent
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Mccarter Elem
Elementary School in Topeka · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Topeka West High
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hope Street Charter Academy
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mccarter Elem
Mccarter Elem is a public elementary school in Topeka, KS, part of Topeka Public Schools. Mccarter Elem serves approximately 392 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Mccarter Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #341 of 1,294 schools in KS.
Structured state assessment records for Mccarter Elem show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.7 · Very Good
- District avg 7.1
- KS avg 6.9
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mccarter Elem — Students at Mccarter Elem score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.7%
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: 7.5/10.
How Mccarter Elem Compares
See how Mccarter Elem 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
5512 SW 16th St, Topeka, KS 66604
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mccarter Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Whitson Elem (rated 8.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is TOPEKA COLLEGIATE SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Jardine Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Topeka, see our Topeka schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Topeka West High Topeka | 0.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Hope Street Charter Academy Topeka | 0.9 mi | 4.2 |
| McClure Elem Topeka | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Landon Middle School Topeka | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| TOPEKA COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Topeka | 1.1 mi | 8.2 |
| TOPEKA ADVENTIST SCHOOL Topeka | 1.3 mi | — |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Topeka | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| MOST PURE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Topeka | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Whitson Elem Topeka | 1.6 mi | 8.6 |
| McEachron Elem Topeka | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Wanamaker Elem Topeka | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Marjorie French Middle School Topeka | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| HAYDEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Topeka | 2.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Randolph Elem Topeka | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Farley Elementary Topeka | 2.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Capital City Topeka | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Jardine Elementary Topeka | 2.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Jardine Middle School Topeka | 2.9 mi | 6.2 |
| TOPEKA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Topeka | 2.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Lowman Hill Elem Topeka | 2.8 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 66604 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,690
Median Home Value
$126,600
Median Rent
$1,032/mo
Population
22,876
College Educated
35%
Homeownership
57.2%
Avg Commute
15.4 min
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Median Age
38.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bluejacket-Flint Shawnee, KS | 7.7 |
| Clearwater Elementary West Clearwater, KS | 7.7 |
| Garfield Elem Ottawa, KS | 7.7 |
| Harper Elem Harper, KS | 7.7 |
| Indian Hills Elementary Topeka, KS | 7.7 |
| Oak Street Elementary School K-4 Goddard, KS | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mccarter Elem
What grades does Mccarter Elem serve?
Mccarter Elem serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Mccarter Elem?
Mccarter Elem has an enrollment of approximately 392 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mccarter Elem?
The student-teacher ratio at Mccarter Elem is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mccarter Elem rank in KS?
Mccarter Elem ranks #341 of 1,294 schools in KS.
What is Mccarter Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Mccarter Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Mccarter Elem?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mccarter Elem has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Mccarter Elem a charter school?
No, Mccarter Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mccarter Elem a Title I school?
No, Mccarter Elem is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mccarter Elem?
70.7% of students at Mccarter 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 392
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Shawnee County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.0%
- Phone
- (785) 438-4660
Resources & Links
District
Topeka Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 12,601
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,935
- District Rank
- #3 of 25
Other Schools in This District
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