Average
#537 of 1,293 schools in KS
Top 42% in state
Sunflower Elem
Elementary School · Paola
1401 E 303rd St, Paola, KS 66071
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
6.6
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
379
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
6.6
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Paola
#3 of 4
public schools
Kansas elementary schools
#345 of 711
In district
#3 of 4
Paola
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Sunflower Elem
Sunflower Elem is a regular public elementary school located in Paola, Kansas, serving students from third to fifth grade. With an enrollment of 379 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child succeed academically and socially. Sunflower Elem has 27 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students' growth and development.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.4 out of 10, placing it at number 370 among 1298 schools in Kansas, which means there is room for improvement but also plenty of opportunities for academic advancement. Sunflower Elem’s state rankings indicate that about half the students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math. Sunflower Elem is situated in a small town setting where community involvement plays an important role in student life.
The school fosters a supportive learning environment that encourages collaboration and growth, helping students to thrive as they prepare for middle school.
Score Breakdown
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Sunflower Elem — Students at Sunflower Elem score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.9%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.4/10.
How Sunflower Elem Compares
See how Sunflower Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 39% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 43% (2022).
Location
1401 E 303rd St, Paola, KS 66071
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sunflower Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Broadmoor Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Louisburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cottonwood Elem (rated 8.1/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wolf Creek Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Spring Hill), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Paola, see our Paola schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Paola High Paola | 0.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Cottonwood Elem Paola | 0.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Paola Middle Paola | 0.3 mi | 8.2 |
| LAKEMARY CENTER Paola | 0.6 mi | 8.5 |
| HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Paola | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Osawatomie Middle School Osawatomie | 7.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Osawatomie High Osawatomie | 7.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Osawatomie Virtual School Osawatomie | 7.9 mi | — |
| Trojan Elem Osawatomie | 8.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Swenson Early Childhood Education Center Osawatomie | 8.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Insight School of Kansas Spring Hill | 11.2 mi | 3.3 |
| Kansas Virtual Academy (KSVA) Spring Hill | 11.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Spring Hill Middle School Spring Hill | 11.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Spring Hill Elementary School Spring Hill | 11.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Broadmoor Elementary Louisburg | 10.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Louisburg Middle Louisburg | 10.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Louisburg High Louisburg | 10.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Spring Hill High School Spring Hill | 13.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Rockville Elementary School Louisburg | 11.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Wolf Creek Elementary School Spring Hill | 14.3 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 66071 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,042
Median Home Value
$261,400
Median Rent
$1,068/mo
Population
12,425
College Educated
30.5%
Homeownership
78.6%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Median Age
45.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sunflower Elem has a median household income of $82,042. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,400, with a median rent of $1,068/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Anthony Elementary Leavenworth, KS | 6.6 |
| Belinder Elem Prairie Village, KS | 6.6 |
| Bonner Springs Elementary Bonner Springs, KS | 6.6 |
| CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lawrence, KS | 6.6 |
| Cottonwood Elementary Andover, KS | 6.6 |
| Harmony Elementary Overland Park, KS | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sunflower Elem
What grades does Sunflower Elem serve?
Sunflower Elem serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Sunflower Elem?
Sunflower Elem has an enrollment of approximately 379 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunflower Elem?
The student-teacher ratio at Sunflower Elem is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sunflower Elem rank in KS?
Sunflower Elem is ranked #537 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Sunflower Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunflower Elem has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Sunflower Elem?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sunflower Elem has 47.3% math proficiency and 46.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sunflower Elem a charter school?
No, Sunflower Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sunflower Elem a Title I school?
No, Sunflower Elem is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunflower Elem?
40.9% of students at Sunflower Elem 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
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,382/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Paola). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 379
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Miami County
- Phone
- (913) 294-8040
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Paola- District Enrollment
- 1,810
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,896
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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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