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Excellent

#268 of 1,294 schools in KS

Top 21% in state

Northern Hills Elementary

Elementary School · Seaman

5620 NW Topeka Blvd, Topeka, KS 66617

Enrollment

419

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kansas schools

#268 of 1,294

In Topeka

#6 of 41

public schools

In district

#4 of 7

Seaman

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Northern Hills Elementary

8.0/10

Elementary School in Topeka · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Seaman Middle School

4.5/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Seaman High

4.5/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Northern Hills Elementary

Northern Hills Elementary is a public elementary school in Topeka, KS, part of Seaman. Northern Hills Elementary serves approximately 419 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Northern Hills Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #268 of 1,294 schools in KS.

Structured state assessment records for Northern Hills Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.8
  • KS avg 6.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data8
Annual Change-1.14 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.9% (2025 KAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46% (2025 KAP)
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 KAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2025 KAP)
vs. Expected-4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
Resources & Environment6.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,186
Chronic Absenteeism15.5%

Northern Hills Elementary — Students at Northern Hills Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS KAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 37.7% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.1% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2016
Math
45%
ELA
50%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
40%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
33%
ELA
33%
2025
Math
33.9%
ELA
46.2%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Northern Hills Elementary Compares

See how Northern Hills Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
79th percentile in KS
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
6.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5620 NW Topeka Blvd, Topeka, KS 66617

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northern Hills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Elmont Elem (rated 8.4/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is North Fairview (rated 8.4/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, West Indianola Elem (rated 8.0/10, 3.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Topeka, see our Topeka schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Seaman Middle School Topeka 0.1 mi 4.5
Seaman High Topeka 1.0 mi 4.5
Elmont Elem Topeka 2.4 mi 8.4
Lawrence Gardner High School Topeka 3.7 mi 4.1
North Fairview Topeka 3.4 mi 8.4
Logan Elementary Topeka 4.2 mi 6.0
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Topeka 4.4 mi 7.5
West Indianola Elem Topeka 3.8 mi 8.0
Quincy Elem Topeka 5.0 mi 7.3
State Street Elem Topeka 6.0 mi 7.7
Chase Middle School Topeka 6.1 mi 5.6
Meadows Elementary Topeka 6.1 mi 7.4
CAIR PARAVEL LATIN SCHOOL Topeka 6.6 mi 5.9
CAIR PARAVEL LATIN SCHOOL Topeka 6.6 mi 5.9
Capital City Topeka 6.5 mi 5.6
TOPEKA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Topeka 6.6 mi 6.3
Scott Dual Language Magnet Topeka 6.9 mi 7.6
Topeka High Topeka 6.9 mi 4.9
MATER DEI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Topeka 6.9 mi 7.4
Lowman Hill Elem Topeka 7.0 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 66617 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,870

Median Home Value

$204,000

Median Rent

$1,124/mo

Population

8,748

College Educated

29.1%

Homeownership

84.1%

Avg Commute

19.1 min

Poverty Rate

6.7%

Median Age

41.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cottonwood Elementary School Salina, KS 8.0
Inman Elem Inman, KS 8.0
Lee Elem Manhattan, KS 8.0
Marion Elem Marion, KS 8.0
Tomahawk Elem Overland Park, KS 8.0
West Indianola Elem Topeka, KS 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northern Hills Elementary

What grades does Northern Hills Elementary serve?

Northern Hills Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Northern Hills Elementary?

Northern Hills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 419 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern Hills Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Northern Hills Elementary is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northern Hills Elementary rank in KS?

Northern Hills Elementary ranks #268 of 1,294 schools in KS.

What is Northern Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Northern Hills Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 Northern Hills Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northern Hills Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

Is Northern Hills Elementary a charter school?

No, Northern Hills Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Northern Hills Elementary a Title I school?

No, Northern Hills Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern Hills Elementary?

42.5% of students at Northern Hills Elementary 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
419
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Shawnee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.5%

District

Seaman
District Enrollment
3,807
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,186
District Rank
#4 of 7

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