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
Enrollment
139
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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South Central Elementary School — Students at South Central Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (620) 622-4545
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Comanche County- District Enrollment
- 322
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,953
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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.
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