Below Average
#1189 of 1,293 schools in KS
Plains Elem
Elementary School · Kismet-Plains
P O Box 337, Plains, KS 67869
Enrollment
119
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
4.3
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
119
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
4.3
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Kansas elementary schools
#672 of 711
In district
#3 of 3
Kismet-Plains
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Plains Elem
Plains Elem is a small elementary school nestled in the remote rural area of Plains, Kansas. Serving students from third to fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 119 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.8:1 with eleven full-time equivalent teachers. The setting offers a close-knit community where educators work closely with each family, providing personalized attention to every child.
Academically, Plains Elem is ranked in the lower half of Kansas schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.6 out of 10. While proficiency rates are currently at 22% for ELA/Reading and 24% for Math, there is room for growth and improvement. The school focuses on nurturing student development in a supportive environment.
Plains Elem is deeply rooted in its rural community, offering students the unique experience of learning within a tight-knit setting that values individual attention and local support.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 119 students, Plains 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.
Located in a rural area, Plains 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
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Plains Elem — Students at Plains Elem score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.2/10.
How Plains Elem Compares
See how Plains Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
P O Box 337, Plains, KS 67869
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Plains Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Montezuma Elem (rated 9.6/10, 24.4 miles away, in nearby Montezuma), which scores notably higher. Another option is Copeland Elem (rated 8.7/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Copeland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sublette Elem (rated 8.4/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Sublette), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Plains, see our Plains schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 24.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Heights Jr/Sr High Kismet | 3.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Kismet Elem Kismet | 7.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Meade Elem Meade | 14.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Meade High Meade | 14.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Copeland Elem Copeland | 19.2 mi | 8.7 |
| South Gray Jr High Copeland | 19.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Sublette Elem Sublette | 20.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Sublette Middle Sublette | 20.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Sublette High Sublette | 20.4 mi | 8.1 |
| FORGAN ES Forgan | 24.7 mi | 6.4 |
| FORGAN HS Forgan | 24.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Montezuma Elem Montezuma | 24.4 mi | 9.6 |
| South Gray High Montezuma | 24.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Meadowlark Elementary School Liberal | 23.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Seymour Rogers Middle School Liberal | 23.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Prairie View Elementary School Liberal | 23.9 mi | 5.2 |
| MacArthur Elementary School Liberal | 23.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Eisenhower Middle School Liberal | 23.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Cottonwood Elementary School Liberal | 24.0 mi | 4.3 |
| FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST SCHOOL Liberal | 24.6 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 67869 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,896
Median Home Value
$139,400
Median Rent
$808/mo
Population
1,518
College Educated
20.5%
Homeownership
74%
Poverty Rate
9%
Median Age
27.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Plains Elem has a median household income of $74,896. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,400, with a median rent of $808/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% 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 |
|---|---|
| ST ANDREWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Abilene, KS | 4.3 |
| Burlingame Elementary Burlingame, KS | 4.4 |
| HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Paola, KS | 4.4 |
| McCormick Elementary Olsburg, KS | 4.4 |
| ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mcpherson, KS | 4.4 |
| Logan Elem Logan, KS | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Plains Elem
What grades does Plains Elem serve?
Plains Elem serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Plains Elem?
Plains Elem has an enrollment of approximately 119 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Plains Elem?
The student-teacher ratio at Plains Elem is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Plains Elem rank in KS?
Plains Elem is ranked #1189 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Plains Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Plains Elem has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Plains Elem?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Plains Elem has 23.7% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Plains Elem a charter school?
No, Plains Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Plains Elem a Title I school?
No, Plains Elem is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Plains Elem?
76.5% of students at Plains 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.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 119
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Meade County
- Phone
- (620) 563-7285
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kismet-Plains- District Enrollment
- 575
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,361
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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.
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