Best High Schools in Wichita, KS

The city of Wichita, Kansas is home to 12 high schools that vary in size, performance, and student demographics. While the schools generally underperform the state averages in academic proficiency, two standout institutions - Northwest High School and Maize South High School - consistently outshine their peers and exceed state benchmarks in English Language Arts and Mathematics.

Northwest High School is the highest-ranked Wichita high school, placed 200 out of 332 in Kansas, and earned a 2-out-of-5-star rating from SchoolDigger. Meanwhile, Maize South High School, located just outside Wichita in the Maize school district, is consistently ranked among the top 50 high schools in the state. These two schools stand out for their strong academic performance and relatively low rates of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

In contrast, the Wichita high schools generally struggle, with several alternative schools, such as Wichita Alternative High and Sowers Alternative High School, performing significantly below the state averages. The data suggests a need to address the disparities in academic achievement and resource allocation across the Wichita school district to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education.