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Very Good

#256 of 1,293 schools in KS

Top 20% in state

Western Plains South Elem/jr High

Elementary School · Western Plains

P.O. Box 218, Bazine, KS 67516

Enrollment

38

Student-Teacher

4.8:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Kansas elementary schools

#207 of 711

In district

#2 of 3

Western Plains

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Western Plains South Elem/jr High

Western Plains South Elem/Jr High is a small rural school located in Bazine, Kansas. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school offers a close-knit community where every child receives personalized attention. With an enrollment of 38 students and a student-teacher ratio of 4.8:1, teachers can provide individualized support to help each student succeed.

The academic performance at Western Plains South Elem/Jr High reflects areas for growth, with the school ranked #611 out of 1298 schools in Kansas according to MySchoolScout’s rating system. The ELA/reading proficiency is at 30%, and math proficiency stands at 10%. While these scores indicate room for improvement, they also highlight the need for targeted support and development within the school.

Western Plains South Elem/Jr High is situated in a remote rural area where tight-knit communities come together to nurture young minds. Despite its small size and unique challenges, the school provides a caring environment that focuses on student growth and community engagement.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 38 students, Western Plains South Elem/jr 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 4.8:1, Western Plains South Elem/jr High offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Western Plains South Elem/jr 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio4.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,130

Western Plains South Elem/jr High — Students at Western Plains South Elem/jr High score 20% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 30.0%
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
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
30%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Western Plains South Elem/jr High Compares

See how Western Plains South Elem/jr High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
80th percentile in KS
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

P.O. Box 218, Bazine, KS 67516

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Western Plains South Elem/jr High may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Western Plains North Elem (rated 9.7/10, 18.8 miles away, in nearby Ransom), which scores notably higher. Another option is La Crosse Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 21.5 miles away, in nearby La Crosse), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kathryn O'Loughlin McCarthy Elem (rated 8.9/10, 35.8 miles away, in nearby Hays), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bazine, see our Bazine schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 36.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Ness City High Ness City 11.0 mi 6.6
Ness City Elem Ness City 11.2 mi 8.1
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Ness City 11.3 mi 6.7
Western Plains North Elem Ransom 18.8 mi 9.7
Western Plains High Ransom 18.8 mi 7.3
Pawnee Heights Rozel 23.2 mi 7.3
Pawnee Heights Primary School Rozel 23.4 mi 8.0
La Crosse Elementary La Crosse 21.5 mi 9.2
La Crosse High La Crosse 21.8 mi 5.2
La Crosse Middle School La Crosse 21.8 mi 4.7
Hodgeman County High Jetmore 26.9 mi 7.8
Hodgeman County Elementary Jetmore 27.1 mi 5.9
Ellis Jr/Sr High Ellis 34.4 mi 5.9
Washington Elem Ellis 34.7 mi 3.7
Hays Virtual School Hays 35.5 mi 5.5
Kathryn O'Loughlin McCarthy Elem Hays 35.8 mi 8.9
THOMAS MORE PREP-MARIAN HIGH Hays 35.9 mi 7.1
Lincoln Elem Hays 36.1 mi 8.1
Woodrow Wilson Elem Hays 36.7 mi 8.1
Hays Middle School Hays 36.8 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 67516 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,370

Median Home Value

$75,800

Median Rent

$663/mo

Population

563

College Educated

15.1%

Homeownership

70.8%

Poverty Rate

14.7%

Median Age

35.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Western Plains South Elem/jr High has a median household income of $60,370. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $75,800, with a median rent of $663/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Grinnell Grade School Grinnell, KS 7.5
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Independence, KS 7.7
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Emporia, KS 7.8
Damar Elementary School Damar, KS 7.3
Pawnee Heights Primary School Rozel, KS 8.0
PRAIRIE MOON WALDORF SCHOOL Lawrence, KS 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Western Plains South Elem/jr High

What grades does Western Plains South Elem/jr High serve?

Western Plains South Elem/jr High serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Western Plains South Elem/jr High?

Western Plains South Elem/jr High has an enrollment of approximately 38 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Western Plains South Elem/jr High?

The student-teacher ratio at Western Plains South Elem/jr High is 4.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Western Plains South Elem/jr High rank in KS?

Western Plains South Elem/jr High is ranked #256 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Western Plains South Elem/jr High's MySchoolScout rating?

Western Plains South Elem/jr High has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Western Plains South Elem/jr High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Western Plains South Elem/jr High has 10.0% math proficiency and 30.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Western Plains South Elem/jr High a charter school?

No, Western Plains South Elem/jr High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Western Plains South Elem/jr High a Title I school?

No, Western Plains South Elem/jr High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Western Plains South Elem/jr High?

84.2% of students at Western Plains South Elem/jr 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
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
38
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Ness County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Western Plains
District Enrollment
127
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,158
District Rank
#2 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

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