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
Enrollment
38
Student-Teacher
4.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 30% (2019) to 30% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (785) 398-2535
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Western Plains- District Enrollment
- 127
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,158
- District Rank
- #2 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.
Read our full methodologyGet 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.