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Very Good

#309 of 1,293 schools in KS

Top 24% in state

South Central Middle School

Middle School · Comanche County

PO Box 38, Protection, KS 67127

Enrollment

98

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

7.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Protection

#1 of 2

public schools

Kansas middle schools

#26 of 222

In district

#1 of 3

Comanche County

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About South Central Middle School

South Central Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the remote rural area of Protection, Kansas. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 98 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1 with six full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at South Central Middle School places it around the 62nd percentile among all middle schools in Kansas, ranking as the 501st out of 1298 schools statewide.

In terms of proficiency rates, 30% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 31% are proficient or above in Math. Despite the current academic ratings, South Central Middle School focuses on student development within its rural setting. The school community works diligently to support each student's educational journey while embracing its unique remote location.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 98 students, South Central Middle 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 Middle 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 Progress8.7Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.0Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
Resources & Environment5.9Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,495

South Central Middle School — Students at South Central Middle School score 32% 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

55.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 29.5%
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
34.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
32%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How South Central Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
76th percentile in KS
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

PO Box 38, Protection, KS 67127

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Central Middle School may also want to explore other middle 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, LAVERNE HS (rated 8.8/10, 41.0 miles away, in nearby Laverne), 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 Elementary School Protection 0.0 mi 7.3
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 Middle 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
Haven Middle School Haven, KS 7.3
Herington Middle Sch Herington, KS 7.2
Galesburg Middle School Galesburg, KS 7.9
Udall Middle School Udall, KS 6.9
Conway Springs Middle School Conway Springs, KS 8.1
Reno Valley Middle School Hutchinson, KS 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Central Middle School

What grades does South Central Middle School serve?

South Central Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend South Central Middle School?

South Central Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 98 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South Central Middle School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Central Middle School rank in KS?

South Central Middle School is ranked #309 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is South Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Central Middle School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Central Middle School has 31.2% math proficiency and 29.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Central Middle School a charter school?

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

Is South Central Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

55.1% of students at South Central Middle 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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.1%
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
#1 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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