Very Good
#323 of 1,293 schools in KS
Top 25% in state
Western Plains High
High School · Western Plains
100 School St., Ransom, KS 67572
Enrollment
31
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
31
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ransom
#2 of 2
public schools
Kansas high schools
#51 of 336
In district
#3 of 3
Western Plains
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Western Plains High
Western Plains High is a small rural high school located in Ransom, Kansas. With an enrollment of just 31 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, the school provides personalized attention to each student. Western Plains High has two full-time equivalent teachers who focus on ensuring every student receives individualized support.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.8 out of 10, placing it in the 60th percentile among all high schools in Kansas, and its academic score stands at 4.6/10. In terms of standardized testing, Western Plains High shows that 25% of students are proficient or above in both English Language Arts (ELA) and math, indicating areas where there is room for improvement. Western Plains High sits in a remote rural setting, fostering a close-knit community among its students and families.
The school environment offers opportunities for personal growth and development within a supportive local context.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 31 students, Western Plains High 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, Western Plains 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 metricsView breakdown
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Western Plains High — Students at Western Plains High score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from KS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.
How Western Plains High Compares
See how Western Plains High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
100 School St., Ransom, KS 67572
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Western Plains High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Quinter Jr-Sr High (rated 7.5/10, 33.5 miles away, in nearby Quinter), with a very similar rating. Another option is Trego Community High (rated 7.3/10, 26.8 miles away, in nearby Wakeeney), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ness City High (rated 6.6/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Ness City), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ransom, see our Ransom schools guide .
Nearby Schools
12 within 33.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Western Plains North Elem Ransom | 0.0 mi | 9.7 |
| Ness City Elem Ness City | 12.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Ness City High Ness City | 13.0 mi | 6.6 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Ness City | 13.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Western Plains South Elem/Jr High Bazine | 18.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Trego Community High Wakeeney | 26.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Trego Grade School Wakeeney | 27.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Ellis Jr/Sr High Ellis | 28.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Washington Elem Ellis | 28.4 mi | 3.7 |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL Ellis | 29.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Quinter Jr-Sr High Quinter | 33.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Quinter Elem Quinter | 33.6 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 67572 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,250
Median Home Value
$64,500
Median Rent
$625/mo
Population
403
College Educated
18.5%
Homeownership
84.7%
Poverty Rate
7%
Median Age
63.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Western Plains High has a median household income of $56,250. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $64,500, with a median rent of $625/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Attica High Attica, KS | 7.3 |
| Northern Valley High Almena, KS | 7.3 |
| Brewster High Brewster, KS | 7.2 |
| Wheatland High School Grainfield, KS | 7.5 |
| Southern Coffey County High School Leroy, KS | 6.9 |
| Natoma High (6-12) Natoma, KS | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Western Plains High
What grades does Western Plains High serve?
Western Plains High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Western Plains High?
Western Plains High has an enrollment of approximately 31 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Western Plains High?
The student-teacher ratio at Western Plains High is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Western Plains High rank in KS?
Western Plains High is ranked #323 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Western Plains High's MySchoolScout rating?
Western Plains High has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Western Plains High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Western Plains High has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Western Plains High a charter school?
No, Western Plains High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Western Plains High a Title I school?
No, Western Plains High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Western Plains High?
64.5% of students at Western Plains 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 31
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Ness County
- Phone
- (785) 731-2352
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Western Plains- District Enrollment
- 127
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,158
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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