Excellent

#48 of 1,294 schools in KS

Top 4% in state

South Central Elementary School

Elementary School · Comanche County

PO Box 38, Protection, KS 67127

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

139

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Enrollment

139

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kansas schools

#48 of 1,294

In Protection

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Comanche County

Academic performance

9.7 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around South Central Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Read rating Nearby schools

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Elementary School in Protection · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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

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

About South Central Elementary School

South Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Protection, KS, part of Comanche County. South Central Elementary School serves approximately 139 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. South Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #48 of 1,294 schools in KS.

Structured state assessment records for South Central Elementary School show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts above KS schools

8.9

This school 8.9 · Excellent
KS avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

At 139 students, South Central 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.

South Central 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 Progress8.5Excellent50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data14

Annual Change-3.08 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2025

TrendDeclining

Academics9.7Excellent30%

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

View breakdown

Math Proficiency65.9% (2025 KAP)

Reading/ELA Proficiency70.5% (2025 KAP)

Overall Proficiency68% (2025 KAP, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2025 KAP)

vs. Expected+29.1 pts

Adjusted Percentile96th

Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%

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

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1

Per-Pupil Spending$18,953

Chronic Absenteeism11.5%

South Central Elementary School — Students at South Central Elementary School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

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 KAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 63.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 60.9% (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

92%

ELA

92%

2010

Math

92%

ELA

87%

2011

Math

97.5%

ELA

97.5%

2012

Math

92%

ELA

92%

2014

Math

44.5%

ELA

44.5%

2015

Math

57%

ELA

47%

2016

Math

57%

ELA

57%

2017

Math

57%

ELA

37%

2018

Math

52%

ELA

42%

2019

Math

52%

ELA

42%

2020*

Math

37%

ELA

42%

2021*

Math

37%

ELA

42%

2022

Math

47%

ELA

42%

2025

Math

65.9%

ELA

70.1%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How South Central Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score

8.9/10

96th percentile in KS

Academic

9.7/10

Excellent

Growth

8.5/10

Excellent

Environment

8.5/10

Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

55%

Teaching Staff

15:1 student-teacher ratio

9 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

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

11.5%

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 9.5/10, 35.4 miles away, in nearby Haviland), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Kiowa County Elem/Jr. High (rated 8.1/10, 29.6 miles away, in nearby Greensburg), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Bucklin Elem (rated 8.0/10, 25.4 miles away, in nearby Bucklin), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Protection, see our Protection schools guide .

Nearby Schools

16 within 41.0 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
South Central Middle School Protection	0.0 mi	98	7.1
South Central High School Coldwater	10.3 mi	85	6.4
Ashland Elem Ashland	15.8 mi	96	6.7
Ashland High Ashland	16.2 mi	74	6.5
Ashland Junior High School Ashland	16.2 mi	43	6.0
Bucklin Elem Bucklin	25.4 mi	153	8.0
Bucklin High Bucklin	25.4 mi	68	5.3
BUFFALO ES Buffalo	26.7 mi	169	5.7
BUFFALO HS Buffalo	26.7 mi	80	6.2
Kiowa County Elem/Jr. High Greensburg	29.6 mi	216	8.1
Kiowa County High School Greensburg	29.6 mi	64	8.5
Haviland Elem Haviland	35.4 mi	78	9.5
FREEDOM ES Freedom	35.9 mi	20	—
FREEDOM HS Freedom	35.9 mi	11	—
LAVERNE ES Laverne	41.0 mi	327	7.8
LAVERNE HS Laverne	41.0 mi	133	6.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Otis-Bison Elementary Otis, KS	91	8.9
Riverside Primary School Elwood, KS	189	8.9
ANNOOR ISLAMIC SCHOOL Wichita, KS	118	8.8
JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Overland Park, KS	155	8.8
Madison Elem Madison, KS	132	8.8
Pike Valley Elem Courtland, KS	150	8.8

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 ranks #48 of 1,294 schools in KS.

What is South Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 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 South Central Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Central Elementary School has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.