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Excellent

#68 of 1,293 schools in KS

Top 5% in state

Sterling Grade School

Elementary School · Sterling

218 5th, Sterling, KS 67579

Enrollment

271

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

8.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sterling

#1 of 2

public schools

Kansas elementary schools

#65 of 711

In district

#1 of 2

Sterling

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Sterling Grade School

Sterling Grade School is a regular public school serving 271 students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Sterling, Kansas. The school earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — with an academic score of 9.8 and a growth score of 9.1. Both figures are well above average, reflecting a school where students achieve strong current proficiency and continue to build on it year after year.

The statewide comparison puts the performance in sharp relief. Sterling Grade School ranks 50th among 711 elementary schools in Kansas, outperforming 96% of all public schools statewide. That combination of a top-percentile statewide ranking and a top-tier position within the elementary category signals consistent, multi-dimensional results rather than a single strong measure.

With a student-teacher ratio of 14.3 to 1, students receive focused, individual attention across seven grade levels. At 271 students, the school is small enough to maintain tight classroom relationships from pre-K through sixth grade. For families in Sterling, this is the top-ranked public school in the city, and one of only 51 schools — out of 1,293 public schools across Kansas — performing at this level.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Sterling Grade 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 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.8Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected+29.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,129

Sterling Grade School — Students at Sterling Grade School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
57%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Sterling Grade School Compares

See how Sterling Grade School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.8/10
95th percentile in KS
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

218 5th, Sterling, KS 67579

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sterling Grade School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Nickerson Elem (rated 8.3/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Nickerson), with a comparable rating. Another option is Lyons Park Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Lyons), with a comparable rating. Additionally, HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 17.6 miles away, in nearby Hutchinson), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sterling, see our Sterling schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Sterling Junior High/Senior High Sterling 0.6 mi 5.7
Lyons Middle School Lyons 8.7 mi 8.2
Lyons High School Lyons 8.8 mi 5.7
Nickerson High Nickerson 7.7 mi 6.9
Central State Academy Hutchinson 7.7 mi 5.0
Lyons Central Elementary Lyons 9.5 mi 6.2
Nickerson Elem Nickerson 7.9 mi 8.3
Lyons Park Elementary Lyons 9.6 mi 8.1
Chase Raymond Primary Intermediate School Chase 12.9 mi 5.4
Chase High Chase 12.9 mi 8.0
Reno Valley Middle School Hutchinson 15.5 mi 6.7
Little River Junior High Little River 16.7 mi 7.5
Little River High Little River 16.7 mi 8.5
PILGRIM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hutchinson 17.4 mi 5.3
Wiley Elementary Hutchinson 16.5 mi 3.4
Morgan Elementary Hutchinson 16.9 mi 6.0
Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen Hutchinson 17.4 mi 4.3
Hutchinson Middle School 8 Hutchinson 17.4 mi 5.0
Hutchinson Virtual School Hutchinson 17.9 mi 3.6
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hutchinson 17.6 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 67579 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,977

Median Home Value

$149,400

Median Rent

$618/mo

Population

2,971

College Educated

36.6%

Homeownership

80.3%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

32.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sterling Grade School has a median household income of $56,977. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $149,400, with a median rent of $618/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Bennington Elem Bennington, KS 8.8
Fort Riley Elem Fort Riley, KS 8.8
Sedan Elem Sedan, KS 8.8
Spearville Elem Spearville, KS 8.8
Washington Elem Junction City, KS 8.8
West Bourbon Elementary Uniontown, KS 8.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sterling Grade School

What grades does Sterling Grade School serve?

Sterling Grade School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Sterling Grade School?

Sterling Grade School has an enrollment of approximately 271 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sterling Grade School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sterling Grade School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sterling Grade School rank in KS?

Sterling Grade School is ranked #68 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Sterling Grade School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sterling Grade School has a composite rating of 8.8 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 Sterling Grade School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sterling Grade School has 67.0% math proficiency and 55.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sterling Grade School a charter school?

No, Sterling Grade School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sterling Grade School a Title I school?

No, Sterling Grade School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sterling Grade School?

40.2% of students at Sterling Grade 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
39 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (438/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
271
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Rice County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sterling
District Enrollment
511
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,437
District Rank
#1 of 2

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.

Read our full methodology

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