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Average

#897 of 1,293 schools in KS

South Barber 7-12

High School · South Barber

512 Main, Kiowa, KS 67070

Enrollment

95

Student-Teacher

7.3:1

Score

5.5

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kiowa

#2 of 2

public schools

Kansas high schools

#223 of 336

In district

#2 of 2

South Barber

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About South Barber 7-12

South Barber 7-12 is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Kiowa, Kansas. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, South Barber provides a small-town educational experience with an enrollment of just 95 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 7.3:1. This allows for personalized attention and support, which is especially valuable given the school’s current focus on academic development.

South Barber's MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.4 out of 10, placing it in the 9th percentile among Kansas schools with a state ranking of #1182 out of 1298. The academic score is 2.3 out of 10, indicating that there is room for improvement in terms of student proficiency levels. Specifically, only 22% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 18% are proficient or above in Math.

However, the school's small size means that every child receives individualized attention from teachers who understand their unique needs. South Barber 7-12 is situated in a rural setting where community ties run deep and personal connections with faculty members are strong. The location offers a close-knit environment conducive to building supportive relationships between students and educators, fostering a sense of belonging and care that extends beyond the classroom walls.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 95 students, South Barber 7-12 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.3:1, South Barber 7-12 offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, South Barber 7-12 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,122

South Barber 7-12 — Students at South Barber 7-12 score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 18.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 21.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
15%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How South Barber 7-12 Compares

See how South Barber 7-12 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in KS
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
2.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

512 Main, Kiowa, KS 67070

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Barber 7-12 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BURLINGTON HS (rated 9.2/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Burlington), which scores notably higher. Another option is ALVA HS (rated 8.1/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Alva), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Attica High (rated 7.3/10, 20.6 miles away, in nearby Attica), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kiowa, see our Kiowa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 30.6 mi
School Distance Rating
South Barber Pre-K-6 Kiowa 0.8 mi 7.7
BURLINGTON ES Burlington 9.3 mi 8.8
BURLINGTON HS Burlington 9.3 mi 9.2
Medicine Lodge Grade School Medicine Lodge 18.5 mi 8.2
Medicine Lodge Jr/Sr High School Medicine Lodge 19.1 mi 6.1
LONGFELLOW ES Alva 18.3 mi 6.0
ALVA MS Alva 18.6 mi 7.2
WASHINGTON ES Alva 18.7 mi 7.3
ALVA HS Alva 19.0 mi 8.1
LINCOLN ES Alva 19.4 mi 8.3
CHEROKEE HS Cherokee 20.3 mi 7.0
CHEROKEE MS Cherokee 20.3 mi 7.5
CHEROKEE ES Cherokee 20.5 mi 8.2
Puls Elem Attica 20.6 mi 6.6
Attica High Attica 20.6 mi 7.3
TIMBERLAKE ES Jet 30.0 mi 8.5
Anthony Elem Anthony 26.5 mi 9.2
Chaparral Jr/Sr High Anthony 27.6 mi 6.6
Chaparral Virtual School Anthony 27.6 mi
Harper Elem Harper 30.6 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 67070 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,250

Median Home Value

$79,300

Median Rent

$743/mo

Population

890

College Educated

38.2%

Homeownership

84.3%

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

42.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Barber 7-12 has a median household income of $66,250. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $79,300, with a median rent of $743/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Blue Valley High Randolph, KS 5.5
Alfred Fairfax Academy Kansas City, KS 5.4
Elk Valley High School Longton, KS 5.4
Greeley County Jr./Sr. High Tribune, KS 5.4
Norwich High Norwich, KS 5.4
USD 331 Virtual School Kingman, KS 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Barber 7-12

What grades does South Barber 7-12 serve?

South Barber 7-12 serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend South Barber 7-12?

South Barber 7-12 has an enrollment of approximately 95 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Barber 7-12?

The student-teacher ratio at South Barber 7-12 is 7.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Barber 7-12 rank in KS?

South Barber 7-12 is ranked #897 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is South Barber 7-12's MySchoolScout rating?

South Barber 7-12 has a composite rating of 5.5 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 South Barber 7-12?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Barber 7-12 has 18.2% math proficiency and 21.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Barber 7-12 a charter school?

No, South Barber 7-12 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Barber 7-12 a Title I school?

No, South Barber 7-12 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Barber 7-12?

67.4% of students at South Barber 7-12 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
95
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Barber County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South Barber
District Enrollment
217
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,375
District Rank
#2 of 2

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.

Read our full methodology

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