Excellent
#77 of 1,294 schools in KS
Top 6% in state
- Math 45% proficient (2025)
- Reading 62% proficient (2025)
- 14:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Sunflower Elem score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
2025 KAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. KS average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 36 points across the 17-year record (2009–2025) and has held near 53% recently.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 57% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 61% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 36 test records from KS state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
40.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Sunflower Elem sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Kansas City map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 29Car-Dependent
- Bike 41Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: Elevated1,382/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Paola), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$82,042
Median home value
$261,400
Median rent
$1,068/mo
College educated
30.5%
Homeownership
78.6%
Poverty rate
4.3%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 66071; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
2 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakemary CenterPrivate · tuition | 8.5 | 4–12 | 0.6 mi | 83 | Compare → |
| Holy Trinity SchoolPrivate · tuition | 4.4 | PK–8 | 1.0 mi | 94 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Paola
- Schools in district
- 4
- Rank in district
- #1 of 4
- District spending per student
- $22,896NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 5.8%Census SAIPE · 2024
Sunflower Elem is listed in Paola; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Sunflower Elem
Sunflower Elem is a public elementary school in Paola, KS, part of Paola, serving approximately 379 students in grades 3rd-5th with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #77 of 1,294 schools in KS. State assessment records show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 ranks #77 of 1,294 schools in KS.
What is Sunflower Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunflower Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 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 Sunflower Elem?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Sunflower Elem has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 379
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Miami County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 15.0%
- Phone
- (913) 294-8040
- Area population (ZIP 66071)
- 12,425
- Area average commute
- 31 min
- Area median age
- 45.9
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 KAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 KAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 KAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 KAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 66071; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.