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Needs Improvement

#1252 of 1,294 schools in KS

South High

High School · Wichita

701 W 33rd S, Wichita, KS 67217

Enrollment

1,661

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

3.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kansas schools

#1,252 of 1,294

In Wichita

#84 of 97

public schools

In district

#74 of 86

Wichita

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South High

3.5/10

High School in Wichita · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Enterprise Elem

3.5/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Enders Stem and Leadership Magnet

3.2/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About South High

South High is a public high school in Wichita, KS, part of Wichita. South High serves approximately 1,661 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. South High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,252 of 1,294 schools in KS.

Structured state assessment records for South High show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.2
  • KS avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

50% of students at South High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.39 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.8% (2025 KAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.6% (2025 KAP)
Overall Proficiency17% (2025 KAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2025 KAP)
vs. Expected-7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness3.0Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
AP Participation5.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,783
Chronic Absenteeism49.7%

South High — Students at South High score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

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 KAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 20.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 30 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
55%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
58%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
60%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
61%
ELA
68%
2014
Math
9%
ELA
18%
2015
Math
8%
ELA
19%
2016
Math
7%
ELA
13%
2017
Math
8%
ELA
16%
2018
Math
5%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
5%
ELA
12%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
9%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
9%
2022
Math
3%
ELA
11%
2025
Math
8.8%
ELA
24.6%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How South High Compares

See how South High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
3th percentile in KS
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.4
Sports
22
11 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
113 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
5.2% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
11 boys'·11 girls'·44 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 6.4/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West High (rated 3.8/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar 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 3.5
Enders STEM and Leadership Magnet Wichita 0.5 mi 3.2
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 4.0
Wells Alternative Middle School Wichita 1.3 mi 4.9
Truesdell Middle School Wichita 1.5 mi 4.5
Woodman Elem Wichita 1.5 mi 4.8
Anderson Elem Wichita 1.4 mi 4.0
Cessna Elem Wichita 1.7 mi 4.4
Stanley Elem Wichita 2.2 mi 5.5
Harry Street Elem Wichita 2.2 mi 4.2
Gardiner Elem Wichita 2.1 mi 5.2
Cleaveland Traditional Magnet Elementary Wichita 1.9 mi 4.8
Hamilton Middle School Wichita 2.4 mi 4.6
Sowers Alternative High School Wichita 2.2 mi 6.4
Ruth Clark Elementary K-5 Wichita 2.8 mi 5.4
West High Wichita 2.9 mi 3.8
Linwood Elementary Wichita 2.7 mi 4.4
Payne Elem Wichita 2.8 mi 1.9

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Emporia High Emporia, KS 3.5
Southeast High Wichita, KS 3.5
Campus High Haysville Wichita, KS 3.4
Gardner Edgerton High Gardner, KS 3.4
Goddard High Goddard, KS 3.4
Washington High Kansas City, KS 3.6

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 ranks #1,252 of 1,294 schools in KS.

What is South High's MySchoolScout rating?

South High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at South High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South High has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.7%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

Wichita
District Enrollment
46,516
Schools in District
87
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,783
District Rank
#74 of 86

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