Average
#589 of 1,293 schools in KS
Top 46% in state
Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High
High School · Kismet-Plains
17222 Mustang Road, Kismet, KS 67859
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kismet
#2 of 2
public schools
Kansas high schools
#138 of 336
In district
#2 of 3
Kismet-Plains
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High
Southwestern Heights Jr/Sr High in Kismet, Kansas serves students from sixth through twelfth grade. With a total enrollment of 309 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.4:1, the school offers individualized attention to its diverse group of learners. The academic performance at Southwestern Heights places it in the lower quartile among Kansas schools, with state rankings reflecting an area for growth.
Students here typically perform below average on standardized tests like ELA and math, though the community focuses on holistic development beyond just test scores. Located in a remote rural setting, Southwestern Heights Jr/Sr High is deeply rooted in its small-town environment where students benefit from close-knit relationships with teachers and peers. The school's location offers unique opportunities for hands-on learning and community engagement that are less common in more urban settings.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Southwestern Heights Jr/sr 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.
Located in a rural area, Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High 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
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Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High — Students at Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.4%
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: 6.7/10.
How Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High Compares
See how Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 12% (2022).
Location
17222 Mustang Road, Kismet, KS 67859
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Sublette High (rated 8.1/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Sublette), which scores notably higher. Another option is Meade High (rated 8.1/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Meade), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FORGAN HS (rated 7.8/10, 23.0 miles away, in nearby Forgan), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kismet, see our Kismet schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kismet Elem Kismet | 3.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Plains Elem Plains | 3.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Copeland Elem Copeland | 21.5 mi | 8.7 |
| South Gray Jr High Copeland | 21.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Meade Elem Meade | 17.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Sublette Elem Sublette | 20.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Sublette Middle Sublette | 20.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Sublette High Sublette | 20.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Meadowlark Elementary School Liberal | 19.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Meade High Meade | 17.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Seymour Rogers Middle School Liberal | 20.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Prairie View Elementary School Liberal | 20.1 mi | 5.2 |
| MacArthur Elementary School Liberal | 19.6 mi | 4.7 |
| FORGAN ES Forgan | 23.0 mi | 6.4 |
| FORGAN HS Forgan | 23.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Eisenhower Middle School Liberal | 19.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Cottonwood Elementary School Liberal | 20.2 mi | 4.3 |
| FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST SCHOOL Liberal | 20.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Liberal Sr High Liberal | 20.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Sunflower Elementary School Liberal | 21.1 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 67859 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,615
Median Home Value
$143,100
Median Rent
$915/mo
Population
648
College Educated
26.4%
Homeownership
81.5%
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Median Age
41.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High has a median household income of $64,615. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,100, with a median rent of $915/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% 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 |
|---|---|
| Ell-Saline Middle/High School Brookville, KS | 6.4 |
| Parsons Sr High Parsons, KS | 6.4 |
| Southeast Saline High Gypsum, KS | 6.4 |
| Central Heights High Richmond, KS | 6.5 |
| Cheney High Cheney, KS | 6.5 |
| Girard High Girard, KS | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High
What grades does Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High serve?
Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High?
Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High has an enrollment of approximately 309 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High rank in KS?
Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High is ranked #589 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High has 12.2% math proficiency and 12.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High a charter school?
No, Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High a Title I school?
No, Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwestern Heights Jr/sr High?
75.4% of students at Southwestern Heights Jr/sr 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 309
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Seward County
- Phone
- (620) 563-7292
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kismet-Plains- District Enrollment
- 575
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,361
- District Rank
- #2 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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