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
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Central Middle School — Students at South Central Middle School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.1%
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: 8.7/10.
How South Central Middle School Compares
See how South Central Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 24.5% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- 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
- #1 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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