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Excellent

#11 of 1,293 schools in KS

Top 1% in state

Natoma Elem

Elementary School · Paradise

Box 10, Natoma, KS 67651

Enrollment

55

Student-Teacher

6.9:1

Score

9.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Natoma

#1 of 2

public schools

Kansas elementary schools

#11 of 711

In district

#1 of 2

Paradise

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Natoma Elem

Natoma Elementary serves 55 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Natoma, Kansas. As a regular public school, it operates with a student-teacher ratio of 6.9:1, giving students substantially more individual attention than most schools can offer. The numbers here are striking.

Natoma Elementary ranks 11th out of 1,293 public schools in Kansas, outperforming 99% of schools statewide. That places it among the very top tier of Kansas elementary schools — 11th out of 711 at the elementary level specifically. Its composite score of 9.5 out of 10 reflects consistently strong performance across both academic achievement and student growth, which score 9.3 and 9.6 respectively.

The growth score is particularly telling: students here are not just performing well, they are advancing faster than peers at nearly every other school in the state. For families weighing school options in the region, Natoma Elementary's record is concrete and measurable. Small enrollment keeps the environment focused, the student-teacher ratio keeps instruction personal, and the outcome data confirms those conditions are producing real academic results.

This is a school where the performance metrics align with what parents actually want to see — consistent, exceptional progress for every student.

What's said publicly about Natoma Elem

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

Natoma High School, part of USD 399, sent a record number of 11 students to the Kansas State Speech and Drama Championship on May 2, 2026, in McPherson 1 . The team competed with 16 total entries against other 1A schools, marking one of the program's strongest showings to date 1 . Additionally, the Natoma High School English 2 class, taught by Mrs. Shari Paget, traveled to FHSU on April 13 to tour the Tebo Library and receive instruction on research methods 1 . Students learned to use university and Kansas State Library databases for their English 2 research papers 1 . The district website lists various faculty members, including Larry Geist at the District Office and Chris Broeckelman, Kurt Grafel, Rhonda Murphy, and Shari Paget in the High School/Junior High division 1 . Elementary faculty listed include Kristi Mettlen and Annette Zeigler 1 . The site also details athletic schedules for high school and junior high track, basketball, and football, as well as organizations such as FFA, National Honor Society, and Graphic Design 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.usd399.com
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 55 students, Natoma 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.9:1, Natoma Elem offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Natoma 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 Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.97 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.3Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected+23.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,055

Natoma Elem — Students at Natoma Elem score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 43.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
49.5%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Natoma Elem Compares

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

Overall Score
9.5/10
99th percentile in KS
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

Box 10, Natoma, KS 67651

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Natoma Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bickerdyke Elem (rated 9.4/10, 22.6 miles away, in nearby Russell), with a very similar rating. Another option is Woodrow Wilson Elem (rated 8.1/10, 26.4 miles away, in nearby Hays), a more accessible option. Additionally, Lincoln Elem (rated 8.1/10, 27.0 miles away, in nearby Hays), a more accessible option. For more schools in Natoma, see our Natoma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 27.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Natoma High (6-12) Natoma 0.2 mi 7.7
Plainville High Plainville 14.9 mi 5.1
Plainville Elem Plainville 14.9 mi 4.1
SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY [PLAINVILLE] Plainville 15.1 mi 5.8
Simpson Elem Russell 22.0 mi 7.5
Russell High Russell 22.4 mi 6.3
Bickerdyke Elem Russell 22.6 mi 9.4
Ruppenthal Middle Russell 22.6 mi 7.1
Victoria Junior-Senior High School Victoria 23.9 mi 7.0
Stockton High Stockton 21.9 mi 6.3
Stockton Elem Stockton 21.9 mi 7.2
Victoria Elementary Victoria 24.0 mi 7.9
Osborne Elem Osborne 24.5 mi 7.5
Osborne Junior/Senior High Osborne 24.5 mi 8.0
Hays High Hays 26.6 mi 4.8
Roosevelt Elem Hays 26.5 mi 7.7
Hays Middle School Hays 26.3 mi 5.9
Woodrow Wilson Elem Hays 26.4 mi 8.1
Lincoln Elem Hays 27.0 mi 8.1
THOMAS MORE PREP-MARIAN HIGH Hays 27.3 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 67651 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,375

Median Home Value

$31,000

Median Rent

$623/mo

Population

493

College Educated

29.4%

Homeownership

75.1%

Poverty Rate

2.6%

Median Age

50.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Natoma Elem has a median household income of $61,375. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $31,000, with a median rent of $623/month. The local poverty rate of 2.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Burrton Elem Burrton, KS 9.5
Cedar Vale Elem Cedar Vale, KS 9.3
Hope Elem Hope, KS 9.7
Western Plains North Elem Ransom, KS 9.7
Rolla Elem (PreK-5) Rolla, KS 9.9
Tipton Community School Tipton, KS 9.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Natoma Elem

What grades does Natoma Elem serve?

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

How many students attend Natoma Elem?

Natoma Elem has an enrollment of approximately 55 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Natoma Elem?

The student-teacher ratio at Natoma Elem is 6.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Natoma Elem rank in KS?

Natoma Elem is ranked #11 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Natoma Elem's MySchoolScout rating?

Natoma Elem has a composite rating of 9.5 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 Natoma Elem?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Natoma Elem has 43.0% math proficiency and 43.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Natoma Elem a charter school?

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

Is Natoma Elem a Title I school?

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

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

63.6% of students at Natoma 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

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
55
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
63.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Osborne County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Paradise
District Enrollment
97
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,912
District Rank
#1 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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