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Very Good

#327 of 1,293 schools in KS

Top 25% in state

Northern Valley High

High School · Northern Valley

PO Box 217, Almena, KS 67622

Enrollment

43

Student-Teacher

8.6:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Almena

#2 of 2

public schools

Kansas high schools

#54 of 336

In district

#3 of 3

Northern Valley

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Northern Valley High

Northern Valley High is a small rural high school located in Almena, Kansas, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of just 43 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.6:1, the school offers personalized attention and support for every student. Five full-time equivalent teachers contribute to a nurturing educational environment where each child can receive individualized care.

Northern Valley High's MySchoolScout rating is 5.5 out of 10, placing it in the 53rd percentile among Kansas high schools. The school aims to provide a solid foundation for its students' academic development, with 25% proficiency rates in both ELA and math. While these scores suggest there's room for improvement, Northern Valley High is committed to helping each student reach their full potential.

The school sits in a remote rural area, where the close-knit community supports the educational journey of every young person. Northern Valley High stands as an essential pillar in this small Kansas town, fostering growth and learning within its tight-knit community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 43 students, Northern Valley High 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 8.6:1, Northern Valley High 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, Northern Valley High 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 Progress7.9Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,702

Northern Valley High — Students at Northern Valley High score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Northern Valley High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
75th percentile in KS
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

PO Box 217, Almena, KS 67622

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northern Valley High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Logan High (rated 7.5/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Logan), with a very similar rating. Another option is ALMA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 23.5 miles away, in nearby Alma), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SOUTHERN VALLEY JR/SR HIGH (rated 6.0/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Oxford), a more accessible option. For more schools in Almena, see our Almena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 39.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Almena Elem Almena 0.0 mi 9.0
Long Island Middle School Long Island 10.0 mi 8.2
Eisenhower Elem Norton 10.4 mi 4.4
Norton Jr High Norton 10.5 mi 4.3
Norton High Norton 10.6 mi 5.1
SO VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oxford 17.7 mi 9.5
SOUTHERN VALLEY JR/SR HIGH Oxford 17.8 mi 6.0
Logan Elem Logan 17.4 mi 4.1
Logan High Logan 17.4 mi 7.5
ALMA ELEMENTARY AT ALMA Alma 23.5 mi 7.7
ALMA HIGH SCHOOL Alma 23.5 mi 7.5
Phillipsburg Elem Phillipsburg 22.8 mi 6.1
Phillipsburg Middle Phillipsburg 22.8 mi 6.0
Phillipsburg High Phillipsburg 23.2 mi 5.1
ARAPAHOE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Arapahoe 30.4 mi 3.2
ARAPAHOE HIGH SCHOOL Arapahoe 30.4 mi 5.2
CAMBRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cambridge 36.4 mi 6.2
CAMBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Cambridge 36.4 mi 5.8
CAMBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Cambridge 36.4 mi 6.4
Stockton Elem Stockton 39.0 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 67622 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,833

Median Home Value

$84,400

Median Rent

$594/mo

Population

586

College Educated

24.8%

Homeownership

64.2%

Poverty Rate

16.2%

Median Age

42.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northern Valley High has a median household income of $43,833. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $84,400, with a median rent of $594/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Attica High Attica, KS 7.3
Western Plains High Ransom, KS 7.3
Brewster High Brewster, KS 7.2
White City High White City, KS 7.2
ACCELERATED SCHOOLS OF OVERLAND PARK Overland Park, KS 7.4
Logan High Logan, KS 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northern Valley High

What grades does Northern Valley High serve?

Northern Valley High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Northern Valley High?

Northern Valley High has an enrollment of approximately 43 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern Valley High?

The student-teacher ratio at Northern Valley High is 8.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northern Valley High rank in KS?

Northern Valley High is ranked #327 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Northern Valley High's MySchoolScout rating?

Northern Valley High has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Northern Valley High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northern Valley High has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Northern Valley High a charter school?

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

Is Northern Valley High a Title I school?

No, Northern Valley High is not currently a Title I school.

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

34.9% of students at Northern Valley 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

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (260/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
43
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Norton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Northern Valley
District Enrollment
159
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,929
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

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