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Average

#690 of 1,293 schools in KS

Prairie Hills Middle

Middle School · Buhler

3200 Lucille Drive, Hutchinson, KS 67502

Enrollment

519

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

6.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hutchinson

#6 of 15

public schools

Kansas middle schools

#94 of 222

In district

#4 of 6

Buhler

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Prairie Hills Middle

Prairie Hills Middle is a regular public middle school in Hutchinson, Kansas, nestled in the heart of Reno County. The school serves students in grades 6 through 8 and has an enrollment of 519 students, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1. This ensures that each student receives individual attention from its team of 34 full-time equivalent teachers.

Prairie Hills Middle's academic performance is currently rated at 5.2 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks as the 722nd best school in Kansas, placing it in the 44th percentile among all schools in the state. In terms of proficiency scores, 34% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 30% meet these standards in math. While there is room for academic growth, Prairie Hills Middle focuses on fostering a supportive and nurturing environment to help each student achieve their full potential.

The school's setting is within a small town community, providing students with a close-knit atmosphere where they can participate actively in extracurricular activities and build strong relationships with peers and teachers. Prairie Hills Middle serves as an integral part of the Hutchinson community, contributing positively to its educational landscape.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.8Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34%
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment3.3Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,057

Prairie Hills Middle — Students at Prairie Hills Middle score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
35%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
34%
2022
Math
34%
ELA
34%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Prairie Hills Middle Compares

See how Prairie Hills Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
47th percentile in KS
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

3200 Lucille Drive, Hutchinson, KS 67502

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Prairie Hills Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hutchinson Middle School 7 (rated 6.5/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hutchinson Middle School 8 (rated 5.0/10, 4.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hutchinson, see our Hutchinson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Union Valley Elem Hutchinson 1.0 mi 7.5
CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Hutchinson 1.2 mi 6.6
TRINITY CATHOLIC JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Hutchinson 2.3 mi 6.6
Plum Creek Elementary Hutchinson 2.6 mi 7.8
McCandless Elementary Hutchinson 3.1 mi 5.3
Hutchinson High School Hutchinson 3.0 mi 7.6
Graber Elementary Hutchinson 3.1 mi 5.9
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hutchinson 3.0 mi 7.6
Faris Elementary Hutchinson 3.7 mi 5.3
Morgan Elementary Hutchinson 3.7 mi 6.0
Hutchinson Middle School 7 Hutchinson 4.2 mi 6.5
Hutchinson Middle School 8 Hutchinson 4.1 mi 5.0
Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen Hutchinson 4.4 mi 4.3
Wiley Elementary Hutchinson 4.5 mi 3.4
Hutchinson Virtual School Hutchinson 4.8 mi 3.6
South Hutchinson Elem South Hutchinson 6.0 mi 6.6
Ad Astra Virtual Academy Buhler 6.1 mi 3.9
Ad Astra Alternative Academy Buhler 6.1 mi
Buhler High Buhler 6.3 mi 4.0
Buhler Grade School Buhler 6.4 mi 7.9

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 Prairie Hills Middle 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
Brooks Magnet Middle School Wichita, KS 6.1
Chisholm Middle School Newton, KS 6.1
Eisenhower Middle School Topeka, KS 6.1
Horace J. Good Middle School Garden City, KS 6.1
Kenneth Henderson Middle Garden City, KS 6.1
Lakewood Middle Overland Park, KS 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Prairie Hills Middle

What grades does Prairie Hills Middle serve?

Prairie Hills Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Prairie Hills Middle?

Prairie Hills Middle has an enrollment of approximately 519 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Prairie Hills Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Prairie Hills Middle is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Prairie Hills Middle rank in KS?

Prairie Hills Middle is ranked #690 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Prairie Hills Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Prairie Hills Middle has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Prairie Hills Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Prairie Hills Middle has 30.0% math proficiency and 34.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Prairie Hills Middle a charter school?

No, Prairie Hills Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Prairie Hills Middle a Title I school?

No, Prairie Hills Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Prairie Hills Middle?

39.1% of students at Prairie Hills Middle 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
High (2,627/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
519
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Reno County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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