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Average

#1002 of 1,293 schools in KS

Mcpherson High

High School · McPherson

801 E First Street, Mcpherson, KS 67460

Enrollment

692

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

5.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mcpherson

#6 of 6

public schools

Kansas high schools

#253 of 336

In district

#6 of 6

McPherson

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Mcpherson High

McPherson High is a regular public high school located in the heart of McPherson, Kansas, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 692 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.1:1, the school offers individualized attention and support to help each student succeed. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 53 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to fostering a positive learning environment.

Academically, McPherson High has room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and its state ranking at #958 out of 1298 schools in Kansas (placing it around the 26th percentile). The school's academic score is 2.6 out of 10, with only 20% of students being proficient or above in both English Language Arts/Reading and Math. Despite these challenges, McPherson High continues to focus on student development and strives to provide a supportive educational experience for its community.

Located in a remote town setting, McPherson High is part of the fabric of this close-knit community where everyone knows each other's names and faces.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-18.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness3.9Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation17.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,030

Mcpherson High — Students at Mcpherson High score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 20.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.3%
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
22%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
17%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Mcpherson High Compares

See how Mcpherson High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
23th percentile in KS
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers

Location

801 E First Street, Mcpherson, KS 67460

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mcpherson High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Inman Jr/Sr High School (rated 5.4/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Inman), with a very similar rating. Another option is Canton-Galva Jr./Sr. High (rated 4.7/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Canton), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Moundridge High (rated 4.4/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Moundridge), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Mcpherson, see our Mcpherson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Washington Elem Mcpherson 0.6 mi 7.7
Lincoln Elem Mcpherson 0.5 mi 7.3
McPherson Middle School Mcpherson 0.8 mi 6.4
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mcpherson 0.8 mi 4.4
Eisenhower Elementary Mcpherson 1.3 mi 9.4
Roosevelt Elem Mcpherson 1.5 mi 6.8
ELYRIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mcpherson 6.3 mi 7.1
Canton-Galva Elementary Galva 6.2 mi 7.7
Inman Elem Inman 12.0 mi 8.3
Inman Jr/Sr High School Inman 12.3 mi 5.4
Smoky Valley Virtual Charter School Lindsborg 13.4 mi 3.9
Soderstrom Elem Lindsborg 13.6 mi 6.8
Smoky Valley High Lindsborg 13.8 mi 3.5
Smoky Valley Middle School Lindsborg 13.8 mi 4.2
Moundridge Elem Moundridge 14.2 mi 8.2
Canton-Galva Jr./Sr. High Canton 12.0 mi 4.7
Moundridge High Moundridge 14.5 mi 4.4
Moundridge Middle Moundridge 14.5 mi 7.6
Windom Elem Windom 13.8 mi 9.2
Buhler Grade School Buhler 17.4 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 67460 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,091

Median Home Value

$211,900

Median Rent

$912/mo

Population

15,933

College Educated

36%

Homeownership

71.4%

Avg Commute

11.8 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

37.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mcpherson High has a median household income of $80,091. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $211,900, with a median rent of $912/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 12 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
Ottawa Sr High Ottawa, KS 5.1
Central Plains Adult Diploma Program Claflin, KS 5.0
Great Bend High School Great Bend, KS 5.4
Abilene High School Abilene, KS 4.9
Winfield High Winfield, KS 5.5
Eudora High School Eudora, KS 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mcpherson High

What grades does Mcpherson High serve?

Mcpherson High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mcpherson High?

Mcpherson High has an enrollment of approximately 692 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcpherson High?

The student-teacher ratio at Mcpherson High is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mcpherson High rank in KS?

Mcpherson High is ranked #1002 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Mcpherson High's MySchoolScout rating?

Mcpherson High 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 Mcpherson High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mcpherson High has 20.3% math proficiency and 20.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mcpherson High a charter school?

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

Is Mcpherson High a Title I school?

No, Mcpherson High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mcpherson High?

40.8% of students at Mcpherson High 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

City Safety
High (1,537/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mcpherson). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
692
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
McPherson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

McPherson
District Enrollment
2,263
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,861
District Rank
#6 of 6

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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