Skip to main content

Excellent

#6 of 1,293 schools in KS

Top 1% in state

Valley Heights Elem

Elementary School · Valley Heights

508 Chestnut St, Blue Rapids, KS 66411

Enrollment

116

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

9.7

Grades

3rd – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Blue Rapids

#1 of 2

public schools

Kansas elementary schools

#6 of 711

In district

#1 of 3

Valley Heights

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Valley Heights Elem

Valley Heights Elementary serves 116 students in grades 3 through 6 in Blue Rapids, Kansas. As a regular public school, it maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1, keeping class sizes small and instruction focused. The school earns a composite score of 9.7 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — with academic performance reaching 9.9 and growth scoring 9.7.

Those numbers place Valley Heights at #6 out of 711 elementary schools statewide, putting it among the strongest elementary programs in Kansas by a significant margin. It also ranks #6 overall out of 1,293 public schools across all levels in the state, outperforming 100% of Kansas public schools in composite performance. For families comparing options in the area, the data is straightforward: Valley Heights is the top-performing elementary school in Blue Rapids and one of the most academically effective schools in the entire state.

The combination of high academic scores and strong growth metrics signals that students here aren't just testing well — they're making consistent, measurable progress year over year. Parents prioritizing academic outcomes will find few public elementary options in Kansas that match what this school delivers at its size.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 116 students, Valley Heights Elem is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Valley Heights Elem 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 Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.9Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+34.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,564

Valley Heights Elem — Students at Valley Heights Elem score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 63.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.7%
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
52%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
62%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Valley Heights Elem Compares

See how Valley Heights Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.7/10
100th percentile in KS
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

508 Chestnut St, Blue Rapids, KS 66411

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valley Heights Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Westmoreland Elem (rated 9.1/10, 23.9 miles away, in nearby Westmoreland), with a comparable rating. Another option is Marysville Elem (rated 8.1/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Marysville), a more accessible option. Additionally, Valley Heights Elementary - Waterville (rated 7.7/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Waterville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Blue Rapids, see our Blue Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Valley Heights Jr/Sr High Blue Rapids 3.0 mi 7.4
Valley Heights Elementary - Waterville Waterville 4.8 mi 7.7
Marysville Jr/Sr High Marysville 10.9 mi 6.1
ST GREGORY CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY Marysville 11.1 mi 6.1
Marysville Elem Marysville 11.2 mi 8.1
Frankfort Elem Frankfort 12.7 mi 5.3
Frankfort High Frankfort 12.7 mi 6.7
McCormick Elementary Olsburg 17.6 mi 4.4
Blue Valley High Randolph 17.9 mi 5.5
Randolph Middle Randolph 18.0 mi 6.4
ST JOHN'S SCHOOL Hanover 18.5 mi 4.3
Hanover High Hanover 18.6 mi 8.4
Hanover Elem Hanover 18.6 mi 2.9
Westmoreland Elem Westmoreland 23.9 mi 9.1
Riley County High School Riley 25.8 mi 7.3
DILLER-ODELL SECONDARY SCHOOL Odell 26.7 mi 6.3
Riley County Grade School Riley 28.0 mi 7.6
GREEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Green 25.0 mi
Washington County High School Washington 23.3 mi 7.3
Washington Elementary Washington 23.3 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 66411 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,938

Median Home Value

$75,900

Median Rent

$833/mo

Population

1,195

College Educated

21.3%

Homeownership

79.7%

Avg Commute

17.7 min

Poverty Rate

16.4%

Median Age

45.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Valley Heights Elem has a median household income of $55,938. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $75,900, with a median rent of $833/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Hope Elem Hope, KS 9.7
Montezuma Elem Montezuma, KS 9.6
Sharon Springs Elem Sharon Springs, KS 9.6
Haviland Elem Haviland, KS 9.8
Burrton Elem Burrton, KS 9.5
Marais Des Cygnes Valley Elem Quenemo, KS 9.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valley Heights Elem

What grades does Valley Heights Elem serve?

Valley Heights Elem serves students in grades 3rd through 6th.

How many students attend Valley Heights Elem?

Valley Heights Elem has an enrollment of approximately 116 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Heights Elem?

The student-teacher ratio at Valley Heights Elem is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Valley Heights Elem rank in KS?

Valley Heights Elem is ranked #6 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Valley Heights Elem's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley Heights Elem has a composite rating of 9.7 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 Valley Heights Elem?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Heights Elem has 63.7% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Valley Heights Elem a charter school?

No, Valley Heights Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Valley Heights Elem a Title I school?

No, Valley Heights Elem is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Heights Elem?

48.3% of students at Valley Heights 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (300/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 6th
Enrollment
116
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Marshall County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Valley Heights
District Enrollment
406
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,365
District Rank
#1 of 3

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

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.