Very Good
#218 of 1,293 schools in KS
Top 17% in state
Plum Creek Elementary
Elementary School · Buhler
901 East 43rd Avenue, Hutchinson, KS 67502
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hutchinson
#1 of 15
public schools
Kansas elementary schools
#183 of 711
In district
#2 of 6
Buhler
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Plum Creek Elementary
Plum Creek Elementary, nestled in a rural area near the town of Hutchinson, Kansas, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 466 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 19.4:1, Plum Creek provides a supportive learning environment with 24 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students’ education. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 places it in the top 78th percentile among all Kansas schools, reflecting its solid academic standing.
Math and ELA proficiency rates are around 45% for reading and 42% for math across all grade levels, indicating areas with room for growth but also highlighting the school’s commitment to student development. Plum Creek Elementary is situated in an area that offers a close-knit community feel, fostering a nurturing environment where students can thrive both academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Plum Creek Elementary 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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Plum Creek Elementary — Students at Plum Creek Elementary score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.4/10.
How Plum Creek Elementary Compares
See how Plum Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 38% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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 very similar rating. Another option is Union Valley Elem (rated 7.5/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, South Hutchinson Elem (rated 6.6/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby South Hutchinson), 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 | 6.0 |
| Graber Elementary Hutchinson | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Union Valley Elem Hutchinson | 1.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Hutchinson High School Hutchinson | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| McCandless Elementary Hutchinson | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Faris Elementary Hutchinson | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Hutchinson Middle School 8 Hutchinson | 2.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Wiley Elementary Hutchinson | 2.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen Hutchinson | 3.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Prairie Hills Middle Hutchinson | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Hutchinson Middle School 7 Hutchinson | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Hutchinson Virtual School Hutchinson | 3.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Reno Valley Middle School Hutchinson | 4.1 mi | 6.7 |
| South Hutchinson Elem South Hutchinson | 5.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Ad Astra Virtual Academy Buhler | 7.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Ad Astra Alternative Academy Buhler | 7.9 mi | — |
| Buhler High Buhler | 8.1 mi | 4.0 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Plum Creek Elementary has a median household income of $73,192. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,400, with a median rent of $919/month. The local poverty rate of 9.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Forest View Elem Olathe, KS | 7.8 |
| Jefferson School Independence, KS | 7.8 |
| North Fairview Topeka, KS | 7.8 |
| Silver Lake Elem Silver Lake, KS | 7.8 |
| Sunset Elem Salina, KS | 7.8 |
| Wolf Creek Elementary School Spring Hill, KS | 7.8 |
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 is ranked #218 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Plum Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Plum Creek Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Plum Creek Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Plum Creek Elementary has 42.3% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hutchinson). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (620) 662-5535
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Buhler- District Enrollment
- 2,572
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,629
- District Rank
- #2 of 6
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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