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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency11%
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)17%
vs. Expected-10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness2.4Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,554

South High — Students at South High score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 4.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 10.7%
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
5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
9%
2022
Math
3%
ELA
11%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.5/10
11th percentile in KS
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
113 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,861/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wichita). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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