Below Average
#1156 of 1,293 schools in KS
South High
High School · Wichita
701 W 33rd S, Wichita, KS 67217
Enrollment
1,661
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,661
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wichita
#83 of 97
public schools
Kansas high schools
#291 of 336
In district
#74 of 86
Wichita
Academic growth
7.3 / 10
Strong
About South High
South High serves 1,661 students in grades 9-12 in Wichita, Kansas, operating as a regular public school in the heart of this large city. With 113 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio, providing relatively small class sizes for personalized attention. The school faces significant academic challenges, with considerable room for growth in student achievement.
Currently, 11% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, while 3% show proficiency in mathematics. These results place South High at #1265 among Kansas's 1,298 high schools, indicating the school is working to improve educational outcomes for its student body. South High draws from a diverse working-class community where the median household income is $53,632 and median home values average $107,700.
The surrounding neighborhood of 32,184 residents reflects the economic challenges many families face, with a poverty rate of 20.8% and 13% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite the academic hurdles, the school's substantial enrollment demonstrates its important role in serving Wichita's south side. South High sits at 701 W 33rd S, positioned within a large urban environment that offers students exposure to city resources and opportunities while serving a community with deep local roots.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at South High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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South High — Students at South High score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.8%
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: 7.3/10.
How South High Compares
See how South High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 5% (2019) to 3% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 11% (2022).
Location
701 W 33rd S, Wichita, KS 67217
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Sowers Alternative High School (rated 7.6/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West High (rated 3.9/10, 2.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Wichita, see our Wichita schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise Elem Wichita | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Enders STEM and Leadership Magnet Wichita | 0.5 mi | 4.4 |
| WICHITA ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wichita | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| ST ANNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wichita | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Kelly Liberal Arts Academy Wichita | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Wells Alternative Middle School Wichita | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Truesdell Middle School Wichita | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Woodman Elem Wichita | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Anderson Elem Wichita | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Cessna Elem Wichita | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Stanley Elem Wichita | 2.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Harry Street Elem Wichita | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Gardiner Elem Wichita | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Cleaveland Traditional Magnet Elementary Wichita | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Hamilton Middle School Wichita | 2.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Sowers Alternative High School Wichita | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Ruth Clark Elementary K-5 Wichita | 2.8 mi | 4.3 |
| West High Wichita | 2.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Linwood Elementary Wichita | 2.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Payne Elem Wichita | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 67217 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,767
Median Home Value
$115,100
Median Rent
$1,006/mo
Population
32,529
College Educated
12.3%
Homeownership
66.4%
Avg Commute
19.8 min
Poverty Rate
20.3%
Median Age
33.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding South High has a median household income of $54,767. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $115,100, with a median rent of $1,006/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Andover High Andover, KS | 4.5 |
| Derby High School Derby, KS | 4.3 |
| North High Wichita, KS | 4.3 |
| Emporia High Emporia, KS | 4.2 |
| Hays High Hays, KS | 4.8 |
| Northwest High Wichita, KS | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South High
What grades does South High serve?
South High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South High?
South High has an enrollment of approximately 1,661 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South High?
The student-teacher ratio at South High is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South High rank in KS?
South High is ranked #1156 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is South High's MySchoolScout rating?
South High has a composite rating of 4.5 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South High has 4.3% math proficiency and 10.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South High a charter school?
No, South High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South High a Title I school?
No, South High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South High?
87.8% of students at South High 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,661
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 113
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Sedgwick County
- Phone
- (316) 973-5450
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Wichita- District Enrollment
- 46,516
- Schools in District
- 87
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,783
- District Rank
- #74 of 86
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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