Average

#567 of 1,294 schools in KS

Top 44% in state

Prairie Heights Elementary School

Elementary School · Morris County

801 Center Street, Alta Vista, KS 66834

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

9.2:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

9.2:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kansas schools

#567 of 1,294

In district

#1 of 3

Morris County

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Elementary School in Alta Vista · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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

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

About Prairie Heights Elementary School

Prairie Heights Elementary School is a public elementary school in Alta Vista, KS, part of Morris County. Prairie Heights Elementary School serves approximately 74 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 9.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Prairie Heights Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #567 of 1,294 schools in KS.

Structured state assessment records for Prairie Heights Elementary School show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district

6.7

This school 6.7 · Average
District avg 6.7
KS avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

At 74 students, Prairie Heights Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 9.2:1 students to teachers, Prairie Heights Elementary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Prairie Heights Elementary School 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 Progress6.8Average50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data14

Annual Change-3.82 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2025

TrendDeclining

Academics4.5Below Average30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency25.5% (2025 KAP)

Reading/ELA Proficiency38.3% (2025 KAP)

Overall Proficiency32% (2025 KAP, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 KAP)

vs. Expected-8.4 pts

Adjusted Percentile26th

Resources & Environment9.5Excellent20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio9.2:1

Per-Pupil Spending$15,971

Chronic Absenteeism9.5%

Prairie Heights Elementary School — Students at Prairie Heights Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS KAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 62.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)

School

State

N/A

Based on 32 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009

Math

97.5%

ELA

97.5%

2010

Math

95%

ELA

95%

2011

Math

95%

ELA

95%

2012

Math

95%

ELA

95%

2014

Math

24.5%

ELA

54.5%

2015

Math

54.5%

ELA

44.5%

2016

Math

64.5%

ELA

54.5%

2017

Math

64.5%

ELA

54.5%

2018

Math

44.5%

ELA

54.5%

2019

Math

44.5%

ELA

54.5%

2020*

Math

64.5%

ELA

64.5%

2021*

Math

64.5%

ELA

64.5%

2022

Math

44.5%

ELA

54.5%

2025

Math

26.4%

ELA

38.8%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Prairie Heights Elementary School Compares

See how Prairie Heights Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

6.7/10

56th percentile in KS

Academic

4.5/10

Below Average

Growth

6.8/10

Average

Environment

9.5/10

Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

53%

Teaching Staff

9:1 student-teacher ratio

8 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

9.5%

Location

801 Center Street, Alta Vista, KS 66834

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Prairie Heights Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wabaunsee Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Alma), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oliver Brown Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 24.4 miles away, in nearby Manhattan), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Grandview Elem (rated 8.5/10, 20.2 miles away, in nearby Junction City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Alta Vista, see our Alta Vista schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.9 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Council Grove Elementary School Council Grove	14.0 mi	338	6.7
Council Grove Junior Senior High School Council Grove	14.2 mi	360	6.4
ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Alma	14.5 mi	38	4.8
Wabaunsee Sr High Alma	15.0 mi	124	7.7
Wabaunsee Elementary School Alma	15.1 mi	216	9.2
White City Elem White City	14.1 mi	138	6.1
White City High White City	14.1 mi	45	5.1
MANHATTAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Manhattan	22.0 mi	220	5.7
Theo Roosevelt Elem Manhattan	22.2 mi	474	6.9
Woodrow Wilson Elem Manhattan	22.4 mi	232	7.2
Manhattan High School Manhattan	22.5 mi	1,996	5.4
Manhattan Virtual Academy Manhattan	22.5 mi	174	4.8
Bluemont Elementary School Manhattan	22.7 mi	215	7.9
Ogden Elem Ogden	21.1 mi	130	6.0
St George Elem St. George	23.2 mi	384	7.6
Lee Elem Manhattan	23.0 mi	311	8.0
Grandview Elem Junction City	20.2 mi	83	8.5
Northview Elem Manhattan	24.1 mi	403	4.1
Oliver Brown Elementary Manhattan	24.4 mi	309	8.7
Marlatt Elem Manhattan	23.9 mi	426	7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 66834 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,400

Median Home Value

$121,800

Median Rent

$929/mo

Population

1,030

College Educated

15.5%

Homeownership

72.6%

Poverty Rate

13.1%

Median Age

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Ashland Elem Ashland, KS	96	6.7
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Ness City, KS	47	6.7
Almena Elem Almena, KS	78	6.8
THUNDER RIDGE ELEMENTARY Kensington, KS	45	6.8
ST CECILIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Haysville, KS	89	6.6
CENTRAL KANSAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Great Bend, KS	68	6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Prairie Heights Elementary School

What grades does Prairie Heights Elementary School serve?

Prairie Heights Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Prairie Heights Elementary School?

Prairie Heights Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 74 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Heights Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Heights Elementary School is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Prairie Heights Elementary School rank in KS?

Prairie Heights Elementary School ranks #567 of 1,294 schools in KS.

What is Prairie Heights Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Prairie Heights Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Prairie Heights Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Prairie Heights Elementary School has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Prairie Heights Elementary School a charter school?

No, Prairie Heights Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Prairie Heights Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Prairie Heights Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Heights Elementary School?

52.7% of students at Prairie Heights Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.