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Average

#980 of 1,293 schools in KS

Topeka West High

High School · Topeka Public Schools

2001 SW Fairlawn Rd, Topeka, KS 66604

Enrollment

1,009

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

5.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Topeka

#31 of 41

public schools

Kansas high schools

#245 of 336

In district

#20 of 25

Topeka Public Schools

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Topeka West High

Topeka West High serves 1,009 students in grades 9-12 in Topeka, Kansas, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1 and 66 full-time equivalent teachers. As a regular public school, Topeka West ranks in the 20th percentile among Kansas high schools, with room for academic growth as the school works to support student development. Currently, 24% of students perform at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, while 17% reach proficiency in mathematics.

The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 reflects these academic challenges, positioning it at #1041 out of 1,298 schools statewide. The school draws from a diverse community in the 66604 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $57,191 and median home value is $118,500. About 34% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 16.5% among the area's 22,933 residents.

Topeka West High operates in Kansas's capital city, providing students with the opportunities and resources that come with a mid-size urban setting while serving families from various socioeconomic backgrounds throughout the Shawnee County community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.6Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24%
Overall Proficiency21%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College Readiness3.0Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,976

Topeka West High — Students at Topeka West High score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 16.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
18%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
20%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
24%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Topeka West High Compares

See how Topeka West High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
24th percentile in KS
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
66 teachers

Location

2001 SW Fairlawn Rd, Topeka, KS 66604

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Topeka West High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Capital City (rated 8.1/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hope Street Charter Academy (rated 6.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HAYDEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Topeka, see our Topeka schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
McCarter Elem Topeka 0.4 mi 5.3
McClure Elem Topeka 0.7 mi 8.6
TOPEKA COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Topeka 0.7 mi 8.2
Hope Street Charter Academy Topeka 0.7 mi 6.9
TOPEKA ADVENTIST SCHOOL Topeka 1.0 mi
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Topeka 1.1 mi 7.6
McEachron Elem Topeka 1.5 mi 5.8
Landon Middle School Topeka 1.6 mi 6.4
Marjorie French Middle School Topeka 1.7 mi 7.9
MOST PURE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Topeka 1.4 mi 5.3
Whitson Elem Topeka 1.5 mi 8.4
Wanamaker Elem Topeka 2.1 mi 5.1
HAYDEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Topeka 2.4 mi 6.5
Randolph Elem Topeka 2.1 mi 6.0
Farley Elementary Topeka 2.4 mi 6.2
Jardine Elementary Topeka 2.5 mi 4.8
Jardine Middle School Topeka 2.5 mi 6.8
Capital City Topeka 2.8 mi 8.1
TOPEKA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Topeka 2.9 mi 6.3
Lowman Hill Elem Topeka 2.9 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 66604 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,690

Median Home Value

$126,600

Median Rent

$1,032/mo

Population

22,876

College Educated

35%

Homeownership

57.2%

Avg Commute

15.4 min

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

38.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Topeka West High has a median household income of $59,690. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $126,600, with a median rent of $1,032/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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
Shawnee Heights High Tecumseh, KS 5.3
McPherson High Mcpherson, KS 5.2
Pittsburg High Pittsburg, KS 5.2
Great Bend High School Great Bend, KS 5.4
Ottawa Sr High Ottawa, KS 5.1
Spring Hill High School Spring Hill, KS 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Topeka West High

What grades does Topeka West High serve?

Topeka West High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Topeka West High?

Topeka West High has an enrollment of approximately 1,009 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Topeka West High?

The student-teacher ratio at Topeka West High is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Topeka West High rank in KS?

Topeka West High is ranked #980 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Topeka West High's MySchoolScout rating?

Topeka West High has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Topeka West High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Topeka West High has 16.0% math proficiency and 22.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Topeka West High a charter school?

No, Topeka West High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Topeka West High a Title I school?

No, Topeka West High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Topeka West High?

57.2% of students at Topeka West 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

Walk Score
62 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
61 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,517/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,009
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
66
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Shawnee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Topeka Public Schools
District Enrollment
12,601
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,935
District Rank
#20 of 25

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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