Paola

The Paola school district in Kansas consists of 4 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school, serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The district has a mix of academic performance, with some standout schools like Sunflower Elementary leading the way in proficiency rates, while other schools face challenges with chronic absenteeism and equity concerns.

Sunflower Elementary is the academic powerhouse of the district, consistently achieving high proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. In the 2024-2025 school year, Sunflower Elementary had the highest proficiency rates in the district, with 61.92% of students proficient or better in ELA and 45.42% in Math. Paola Middle also performs well academically, with proficiency rates above the state average in multiple subjects and a high statewide ranking.

While the district has some strong academic performers, there are also areas of concern. The district-wide chronic absenteeism rate of 19.5% is higher than the state average, and the high rates of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 32.77% at Paola High to 44.85% at Cottonwood Elementary, suggest that the district may need to focus on addressing the needs of economically disadvantaged students to ensure equitable educational opportunities.