Excellent
#131 of 1,294 schools in KS
Top 10% in state
Whitson Elem
Elementary School · Topeka Public Schools · Topeka, KS
A Topeka Public Schools elementary school where students score 12 points above what's typical for similar communities.
1725 SW Arnold Ave, Topeka, KS 66604
- Math 40% proficient (2025)
- Reading 54% proficient (2025)
- 14:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Whitson Elem score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
2025 KAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. KS average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 13 points since 2020, reaching 47% in 2025.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 45% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 49% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 36 test records from KS state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
62.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Whitson Elem sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 55Somewhat Walkable
- Transit 28Some Transit
- Bike 57Bikeable
- City Safety: High4,517/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Topeka), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$59,690
Median home value
$126,600
Median rent
$1,032/mo
College educated
35%
Homeownership
57.2%
Poverty rate
16.3%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 66604; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most Pure Heart of Mary SchoolPrivate · tuition | 5.3private | K–8 | 0.1 mi | 363 | Compare → |
| Randolph ElemEnrollment path unverified | 6.6 | PK–5 | 0.6 mi | 350 | Compare → |
| Topeka Collegiate SchoolPrivate · tuition | 8.2private | PK–8 | 1.0 mi | 136 | Compare → |
| Lowman Hill ElemEnrollment path unverified | 7.5 | PK–5 | 1.5 mi | 287 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Topeka Public Schools
- Schools in district
- 27
- Rank in district
- #1 of 25
- District spending per student
- $17,935NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 21.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
Whitson Elem is listed in Topeka Public Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Whitson Elem
Whitson Elem is a public elementary school in Topeka, KS, part of Topeka Public Schools, serving approximately 434 students in grades Pre-K-5th with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #131 of 1,294 schools in KS. State assessment records show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 ranks #131 of 1,294 schools in KS.
What is Whitson Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Whitson Elem has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Whitson Elem?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Whitson Elem has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 434
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Shawnee County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 15.4%
- Phone
- (785) 438-4570
- Area population (ZIP 66604)
- 22,876
- Area average commute
- 15.4 min
- Area median age
- 38.2
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 KAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 KAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 KAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 KAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 66604; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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