Excellent
#113 of 1,293 schools in KS
Top 9% in state
Whitson Elem
Elementary School · Topeka Public Schools
1725 SW Arnold Ave, Topeka, KS 66604
Enrollment
434
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
434
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Topeka
#2 of 41
public schools
Kansas elementary schools
#105 of 711
In district
#2 of 25
Topeka Public Schools
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Whitson Elem
Whitson Elem is a public elementary school in Topeka, KS, part of the Topeka Public Schools. The school serves approximately 434 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 91.3th percentile among KS schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 34% proficiency in math and 37% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $59,690, where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Whitson Elem — Students at Whitson Elem score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.7%
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: 8.7/10.
How Whitson Elem Compares
See how Whitson Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
1725 SW Arnold Ave, Topeka, KS 66604
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whitson Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. McClure Elem (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is TOPEKA COLLEGIATE SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MATER DEI CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Topeka, see our Topeka schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MOST PURE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Topeka | 0.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Randolph Elem Topeka | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Hope Street Charter Academy Topeka | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| TOPEKA COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Topeka | 1.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Lowman Hill Elem Topeka | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| McEachron Elem Topeka | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Capital City Topeka | 1.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Topeka West High Topeka | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| TOPEKA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Topeka | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| HAYDEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Topeka | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Robinson Middle School Topeka | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Jardine Elementary Topeka | 1.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Jardine Middle School Topeka | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| McCarter Elem Topeka | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Landon Middle School Topeka | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| McClure Elem Topeka | 1.8 mi | 8.6 |
| MATER DEI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Topeka | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| CAIR PARAVEL LATIN SCHOOL Topeka | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| CAIR PARAVEL LATIN SCHOOL Topeka | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Topeka High Topeka | 2.1 mi | 4.8 |
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 Whitson Elem 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 |
|---|---|
| Bradley Elem Fort Leavenworth, KS | 8.4 |
| Ravenwood Elementary Olathe, KS | 8.4 |
| Yates Center Elem Yates Center, KS | 8.4 |
| Broadmoor Elementary Louisburg, KS | 8.5 |
| Cedar Creek Elem Olathe, KS | 8.3 |
| Cheney Elem Cheney, KS | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whitson Elem
What grades does Whitson Elem serve?
Whitson Elem serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Whitson Elem?
Whitson Elem has an enrollment of approximately 434 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whitson Elem?
The student-teacher ratio at Whitson Elem is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Whitson Elem rank in KS?
Whitson Elem is ranked #113 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Whitson Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Whitson Elem has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Whitson Elem?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whitson Elem has 33.7% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Whitson Elem a charter school?
No, Whitson Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Whitson Elem a Title I school?
No, Whitson Elem is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whitson Elem?
62.7% of students at Whitson 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 55 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 28 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 57 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,517/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Topeka). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 434
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Shawnee County
- Phone
- (785) 438-4570
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Topeka Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 12,601
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,935
- District Rank
- #2 of 25
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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