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Average

#842 of 1,293 schools in KS

Sterling Junior High/senior High

High School · Sterling

308 E Washington, Sterling, KS 67579

Enrollment

240

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

5.7

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sterling

#2 of 2

public schools

Kansas high schools

#207 of 336

In district

#2 of 2

Sterling

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Sterling Junior High/senior High

Sterling Junior High/Senior High is a regular public school located in Sterling, Kansas. Serving students from seventh grade through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 240 students and employs 18 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1. The setting is remote and rural, offering a close-knit community feel.

Sterling Junior High/Senior High's academic performance shows room for growth. According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school scores a 4.2 out of 10, ranking it at #1016 out of 1298 schools in Kansas (22nd percentile). Students perform at about average proficiency levels: 37% are proficient or above in both English language arts and math.

The school’s remote location provides a unique environment that fosters community involvement and support.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Sterling Junior High/senior 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-8.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,129

Sterling Junior High/senior High — Students at Sterling Junior High/senior High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
27%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How Sterling Junior High/senior High Compares

See how Sterling Junior High/senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
35th percentile in KS
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

308 E Washington, Sterling, KS 67579

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sterling Junior High/senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Little River High (rated 8.5/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Little River), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chase High (rated 8.0/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Chase), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Nickerson High (rated 6.9/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Nickerson), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sterling, see our Sterling schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Sterling Grade School Sterling 0.6 mi 8.8
Lyons Middle School Lyons 8.2 mi 8.2
Lyons High School Lyons 8.2 mi 5.7
Lyons Central Elementary Lyons 8.9 mi 6.2
Lyons Park Elementary Lyons 9.1 mi 8.1
Nickerson High Nickerson 8.1 mi 6.9
Central State Academy Hutchinson 8.1 mi 5.0
Nickerson Elem Nickerson 8.2 mi 8.3
Chase Raymond Primary Intermediate School Chase 12.4 mi 5.4
Chase High Chase 12.4 mi 8.0
Little River Junior High Little River 16.2 mi 7.5
Little River High Little River 16.2 mi 8.5
Reno Valley Middle School Hutchinson 15.8 mi 6.7
PILGRIM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hutchinson 17.9 mi 5.3
Wiley Elementary Hutchinson 16.9 mi 3.4
Morgan Elementary Hutchinson 17.2 mi 6.0
Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen Hutchinson 17.8 mi 4.3
Hutchinson Middle School 8 Hutchinson 17.7 mi 5.0
Hutchinson Virtual School Hutchinson 18.3 mi 3.6
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hutchinson 17.9 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 Junior High/senior High 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
Bluestem Jr/Sr High Leon, KS 5.7
Central Jr-Sr High Burden, KS 5.7
Kinsley Jr/Sr High School Kinsley, KS 5.7
Lyons High School Lyons, KS 5.7
West Franklin High School Pomona, KS 5.7
Cimarron High Cimarron, KS 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sterling Junior High/senior High

What grades does Sterling Junior High/senior High serve?

Sterling Junior High/senior High serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Sterling Junior High/senior High?

Sterling Junior High/senior High has an enrollment of approximately 240 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sterling Junior High/senior High?

The student-teacher ratio at Sterling Junior High/senior High is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sterling Junior High/senior High rank in KS?

Sterling Junior High/senior High is ranked #842 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Sterling Junior High/senior High's MySchoolScout rating?

Sterling Junior High/senior High has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Junior High/senior High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sterling Junior High/senior High has 37.0% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sterling Junior High/senior High a charter school?

No, Sterling Junior High/senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sterling Junior High/senior High a Title I school?

No, Sterling Junior High/senior High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sterling Junior High/senior High?

39.2% of students at Sterling Junior High/senior 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

City Safety
Average (438/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.2%
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
#2 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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