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Very Good

#272 of 1,294 schools in KS

Top 21% in state

Plum Creek Elementary

Elementary School · Buhler

901 East 43rd Avenue, Hutchinson, KS 67502

Enrollment

466

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kansas schools

#272 of 1,294

In Hutchinson

#1 of 15

public schools

In district

#2 of 6

Buhler

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Plum Creek Elementary

7.9/10

Elementary School in Hutchinson · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Holy Cross Catholic School

7.6/10

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

Central Christian Schools

6.6/10

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

About Plum Creek Elementary

Plum Creek Elementary is a public elementary school in Hutchinson, KS, part of Buhler. Plum Creek Elementary serves approximately 466 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Plum Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #272 of 1,294 schools in KS.

Structured state assessment records for Plum Creek Elementary show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.2
  • KS avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

Plum Creek Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data10
Annual Change-0.03 pts/yr
Data Period2014–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.8% (2025 KAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.6% (2025 KAP)
Overall Proficiency54% (2025 KAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 KAP)
vs. Expected+7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,629
Chronic Absenteeism10.1%

Plum Creek Elementary — Students at Plum Creek Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS KAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.1% (multi-year average, 2014-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.0% (multi-year average, 2014-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2014
Math
46%
ELA
55%
2015
Math
50%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
48%
ELA
53%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
50%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
53.7%
ELA
54.4%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Plum Creek Elementary Compares

See how Plum Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
79th percentile in KS
Academic
8.4/10
Excellent
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.1%

Location

901 East 43rd Avenue, Hutchinson, KS 67502

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Plum Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen (rated 6.3/10, 3.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Union Valley Elem (rated 5.5/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hutchinson, see our Hutchinson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.1 mi
School Distance Rating
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hutchinson 1.2 mi 7.6
CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Hutchinson 1.5 mi 6.6
TRINITY CATHOLIC JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Hutchinson 1.9 mi 6.6
Morgan Elementary Hutchinson 1.7 mi 5.4
Graber Elementary Hutchinson 2.1 mi 3.3
Union Valley Elem Hutchinson 1.8 mi 5.5
Hutchinson High School Hutchinson 2.3 mi 6.3
McCandless Elementary Hutchinson 2.7 mi 5.2
Faris Elementary Hutchinson 2.7 mi 5.2
Hutchinson Middle School 8 Hutchinson 2.5 mi 3.8
Wiley Elementary Hutchinson 2.6 mi 5.1
Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen Hutchinson 3.0 mi 6.3
Prairie Hills Middle Hutchinson 2.6 mi 5.3
Hutchinson Middle School 7 Hutchinson 3.5 mi 7.7
Hutchinson Virtual School Hutchinson 3.8 mi 3.7
Reno Valley Middle School Hutchinson 4.1 mi 5.6
South Hutchinson Elem South Hutchinson 5.5 mi 4.8
Ad Astra Virtual Academy Buhler 7.9 mi 4.5
Ad Astra Alternative Academy Buhler 7.9 mi
Buhler High Buhler 8.1 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 67502 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,192

Median Home Value

$178,400

Median Rent

$919/mo

Population

23,617

College Educated

30.2%

Homeownership

74.4%

Avg Commute

16.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

46.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Edwardsville Elem Edwardsville, KS 7.9
Frank Rushton Elem Kansas City, KS 7.9
Jackson Heights Elementary School Holton, KS 7.9
Liberty View Elementary Olathe, KS 7.9
Marlatt Elem Manhattan, KS 7.9
Ray Marsh Elem Shawnee, KS 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Plum Creek Elementary

What grades does Plum Creek Elementary serve?

Plum Creek Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Plum Creek Elementary?

Plum Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 466 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Plum Creek Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Plum Creek Elementary is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Plum Creek Elementary rank in KS?

Plum Creek Elementary ranks #272 of 1,294 schools in KS.

What is Plum Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Plum Creek Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Plum Creek Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Plum Creek Elementary has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2025).

Is Plum Creek Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Plum Creek Elementary a Title I school?

No, Plum Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Plum Creek Elementary?

38.0% of students at Plum Creek 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Reno County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.1%

District

Buhler
District Enrollment
2,572
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,629
District Rank
#2 of 6

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