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Very Good

#331 of 1,293 schools in KS

Top 26% in state

South Central Elementary School

Elementary School · Comanche County

PO Box 38, Protection, KS 67127

Enrollment

139

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Protection

#2 of 2

public schools

Kansas elementary schools

#248 of 711

In district

#2 of 3

Comanche County

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About South Central Elementary School

South Central Elementary School in Protection, Kansas, serves a diverse range of students from pre-K through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 139 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child thrive academically and socially. The dedicated teaching staff includes nine full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support the educational needs of every pupil.

South Central Elementary School boasts an academic score of 8.2 out of 10, reflecting its strong performance in ELA/Reading (42% proficient or above) and Math (45% proficient or above). While there is room for improvement, the school continues to focus on student development and growth. The MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 places it at the 78th percentile among Kansas schools, highlighting its solid standing within the state.

South Central Elementary School is situated in a remote rural area, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere. With limited neighborhood data available, much of the school's character and support come from the tight-knit local community that surrounds it.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 139 students, South Central Elementary School 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.

Located in a rural area, South Central Elementary School 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+14.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.8Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,495

South Central Elementary School — Students at South Central Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
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
52%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
42%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How South Central Elementary School Compares

See how South Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
75th percentile in KS
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

PO Box 38, Protection, KS 67127

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Haviland Elem (rated 9.8/10, 35.4 miles away, in nearby Haviland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ashland Elem (rated 9.2/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Ashland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BUFFALO ES (rated 8.7/10, 26.7 miles away, in nearby Buffalo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Protection, see our Protection schools guide .

Nearby Schools

16 within 41.0 mi
School Distance Rating
South Central Middle School Protection 0.0 mi 7.4
South Central High School Coldwater 10.3 mi 6.7
Ashland Elem Ashland 15.8 mi 9.2
Ashland High Ashland 16.2 mi 7.1
Ashland Junior High School Ashland 16.2 mi 5.3
Bucklin Elem Bucklin 25.4 mi 8.3
Bucklin High Bucklin 25.4 mi 7.0
BUFFALO ES Buffalo 26.7 mi 8.7
BUFFALO HS Buffalo 26.7 mi 7.6
Kiowa County Elem/Jr. High Greensburg 29.6 mi 8.0
Kiowa County High School Greensburg 29.6 mi 5.8
Haviland Elem Haviland 35.4 mi 9.8
FREEDOM ES Freedom 35.9 mi
FREEDOM HS Freedom 35.9 mi
LAVERNE ES Laverne 41.0 mi 7.0
LAVERNE HS Laverne 41.0 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 67127 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,853

Median Home Value

$54,300

Median Rent

$475/mo

Population

637

College Educated

17.6%

Homeownership

79.6%

Poverty Rate

8.3%

Median Age

49.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Central Elementary School has a median household income of $64,853. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $54,300, with a median rent of $475/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Central Elem Burden, KS 7.2
Conway Springs Kyle Trueblood Conway Springs, KS 7.2
Macksville Elem Macksville, KS 7.2
MATER DEI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Topeka, KS 7.4
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Dodge City, KS 7.4
Satanta Elem Satanta, KS 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Central Elementary School

What grades does South Central Elementary School serve?

South Central Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend South Central Elementary School?

South Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 139 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Central Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Central Elementary School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Central Elementary School rank in KS?

South Central Elementary School is ranked #331 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is South Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Central Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Central Elementary School has 45.3% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Central Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is South Central Elementary School a Title I school?

No, South Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Central Elementary School?

55.4% of students at South Central 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
139
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Comanche County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Comanche County
District Enrollment
322
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,953
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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