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Below Average

#1078 of 1,293 schools in KS

Whittier Elem

Elementary School · Kansas City

295 S 10th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102

Enrollment

473

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kansas City

#39 of 54

public schools

Kansas elementary schools

#610 of 711

In district

#29 of 42

Kansas City

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Whittier Elem

Whittier Elem is a regular public elementary school located in Kansas City, Kansas. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, Whittier Elem has an enrollment of 473 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s setting in a mid-size city means it is surrounded by diverse neighborhoods and community resources.

Whittier Elem's MySchoolScout Rating of 4.0 out of 10 places the school near the bottom quartile among Kansas schools, ranking at #1059 out of 1298 total elementary schools in the state. The academic performance score is 2.8/10, indicating areas where growth and improvement are needed. Specifically, only 21% of students met or exceeded proficiency levels in ELA/Reading, while 19% did so in Math.

Despite these challenges, Whittier Elem is a community-focused school that continues to work on academic development for its students. The school’s location in Kansas City offers opportunities for partnerships with local organizations and cultural institutions, enriching the educational experience beyond the classroom. Whittier Elem sits in the heart of a mid-size city where students benefit from urban resources and a supportive neighborhood environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)14%
vs. Expected+3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,299

Whittier Elem — Students at Whittier Elem score 18% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 21.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
29%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
9%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
19%
ELA
17%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Whittier Elem Compares

See how Whittier Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
17th percentile in KS
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
96%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

295 S 10th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Whittier Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bertram Caruthers Elem (rated 7.6/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Douglass Elem (rated 7.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McKinley Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kansas City, see our Kansas City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Middle Kansas City 0.1 mi 5.1
John Fiske Elem Kansas City 0.8 mi 4.0
M E Pearson Elem Kansas City 0.8 mi 5.7
RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Kansas City 1.2 mi 6.4
McKinley Elementary School Kansas City 1.4 mi 6.6
School for Blind Elementary Kansas City 1.5 mi
School for Blind High Kansas City 1.5 mi
Douglass Elem Kansas City 1.6 mi 7.4
BISHOP WARD HIGH SCHOOL Kansas City 1.5 mi 6.8
Sumner Academy of Arts & Science Kansas City 1.8 mi 6.7
Mark Twain Elem Kansas City 1.8 mi 5.5
Wyandotte High Kansas City 1.8 mi 3.5
Grant Elem Kansas City 1.9 mi 6.2
Argentine Middle Kansas City 2.0 mi 3.8
Emerson Elem Kansas City 2.1 mi 5.5
Frances Willard Elem Kansas City 2.0 mi 5.0
Banneker Elem Kansas City 2.4 mi 6.5
Chelsea Elem Kansas City 2.3 mi 5.5
Bertram Caruthers Elem Kansas City 2.5 mi 7.6
Silver City Elem Kansas City 2.4 mi 3.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 66102 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,218

Median Home Value

$105,000

Median Rent

$1,020/mo

Population

30,062

College Educated

11.9%

Homeownership

55.4%

Avg Commute

23.4 min

Poverty Rate

23.4%

Median Age

29.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Whittier Elem has a median household income of $52,218. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $105,000, with a median rent of $1,020/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Garnett Elementary School Garnett, KS 4.9
Jackson Elementary Wichita, KS 4.9
Jefferson County North Elem/Middle Nortonville, KS 4.9
Northeast Elem Arma, KS 4.9
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Shawnee, KS 4.9
South Breeze Elementary Newton, KS 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Whittier Elem

What grades does Whittier Elem serve?

Whittier Elem serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Whittier Elem?

Whittier Elem has an enrollment of approximately 473 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elem?

The student-teacher ratio at Whittier Elem is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Whittier Elem rank in KS?

Whittier Elem is ranked #1078 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Whittier Elem's MySchoolScout rating?

Whittier Elem has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Whittier Elem?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whittier Elem has 19.0% math proficiency and 21.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Whittier Elem a charter school?

No, Whittier Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Whittier Elem a Title I school?

No, Whittier Elem is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whittier Elem?

95.8% of students at Whittier 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,656/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kansas City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
473
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Wyandotte County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Kansas City
District Enrollment
21,132
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,613
District Rank
#29 of 42

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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