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Average

#805 of 1,293 schools in KS

Paola High

High School · Paola

401 N Angela, Paola, KS 66071

Enrollment

589

Student-Teacher

17.3:1

Score

5.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Paola

#4 of 4

public schools

Kansas high schools

#197 of 336

In district

#4 of 4

Paola

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Paola High

Paola High is a regular public high school located in the heart of Paola, Kansas. With an enrollment of 589 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1, Paola High offers personalized attention to each student. The dedicated staff includes 34 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students.

While the school's academic performance currently ranks in the lower percentile among Kansas schools, with room for improvement in test scores, Paola High is committed to focusing on student development and growth. Students are encouraged to participate in various extracurricular activities that complement their classroom learning experiences. Paola High is situated in a small town setting, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere where they can build strong relationships with peers and teachers alike.

The school’s location offers easy access for local families, making it a central part of the Paola community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-21.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,989

Paola High — Students at Paola High score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 13.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 23.7%
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
17%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
22%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Paola High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in KS
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

401 N Angela, Paola, KS 66071

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paola High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Louisburg High (rated 7.7/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Louisburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Osawatomie High (rated 6.2/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Osawatomie), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Spring Hill High School (rated 5.1/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Spring Hill), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Paola, see our Paola schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Sunflower Elem Paola 0.1 mi 6.6
Cottonwood Elem Paola 0.3 mi 8.1
Paola Middle Paola 0.3 mi 8.2
LAKEMARY CENTER Paola 0.5 mi 8.5
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Paola 0.9 mi 4.4
Osawatomie Middle School Osawatomie 7.3 mi 7.4
Osawatomie High Osawatomie 7.7 mi 6.2
Osawatomie Virtual School Osawatomie 7.7 mi
Trojan Elem Osawatomie 8.4 mi 7.7
Swenson Early Childhood Education Center Osawatomie 8.4 mi 6.5
Insight School of Kansas Spring Hill 11.4 mi 3.3
Kansas Virtual Academy (KSVA) Spring Hill 11.4 mi 4.8
Spring Hill Middle School Spring Hill 11.4 mi 4.4
Spring Hill Elementary School Spring Hill 11.6 mi 6.5
Broadmoor Elementary Louisburg 10.3 mi 8.5
Louisburg Middle Louisburg 10.6 mi 6.7
Louisburg High Louisburg 10.7 mi 7.7
Spring Hill High School Spring Hill 13.9 mi 5.1
Rockville Elementary School Louisburg 11.5 mi 4.3
Wolf Creek Elementary School Spring Hill 14.4 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 66071 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,042

Median Home Value

$261,400

Median Rent

$1,068/mo

Population

12,425

College Educated

30.5%

Homeownership

78.6%

Avg Commute

31 min

Poverty Rate

4.3%

Median Age

45.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Paola High has a median household income of $82,042. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,400, with a median rent of $1,068/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Augusta Sr High Augusta, KS 5.8
Council Grove Junior Senior High School Council Grove, KS 5.7
Bonner Springs High Bonner Springs, KS 5.9
Clearwater High Clearwater, KS 6.0
Eudora High School Eudora, KS 5.6
Independence Sr High Independence, KS 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paola High

What grades does Paola High serve?

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

How many students attend Paola High?

Paola High has an enrollment of approximately 589 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paola High?

The student-teacher ratio at Paola High is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paola High rank in KS?

Paola High is ranked #805 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Paola High's MySchoolScout rating?

Paola High has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Paola High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paola High has 13.7% math proficiency and 23.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Paola High a charter school?

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

Is Paola High a Title I school?

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

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

32.8% of students at Paola 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
Elevated (1,382/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
589
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Miami County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Paola
District Enrollment
1,810
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,896
District Rank
#4 of 4

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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