Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

New rankings! SchoolDigger recently updated its Kansas rankings with newly released test scores for the 2025-26 school year.

Be the first to know when we post new rankings!

Central Elementary

Q: Is Central Elementary a good school?

Central Elementary ranks 124 th of 657 Kansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 3-6

124^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 657 Kansas Elementary Schools

Better than 81% of Kansas elementary schools

Summary

Central Elementary serves 223 students in grades 3–6 in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Its 2025–26 proficiency rates are above state averages in English Language Arts (ELA), math and science. The clearest takeaway is that students’ results are especially strong in ELA and math, where the school is well ahead of the state.

Compared with the state, Central is ahead by 19 percentage points in ELA (65% versus 46%), 19 points in math (60% versus 41%) and 12 points in science (50% versus 38%). It also exceeds the Baxter Springs district by 3 points in ELA and 6 in math; its science rate is only slightly higher, by less than 1 point. Among nearby schools with reported scores, Central has the highest published all-grade rate in each subject. In math, for example, its 60% compares with 41% at Chetopa Elementary, 35% at Liberty Elementary and 30% at Riverton Elementary. Fourth grade is a standout: ELA proficiency is 80% and math is 68%, higher than the reported fourth-grade results at Liberty and Riverton. Science is the relative soft spot because Central’s advantage over its district there is very small.

Over time, ELA has risen 8 percentage points since 2022–23, math is up 1 point and science is down 3 points; all three subjects remain above state rates, though the state gaps have narrowed. SchoolDigger ranks Central 124th of 657 Kansas schools, in the 81st percentile with 4 stars—well above nearby Liberty (35th percentile) and Riverton (32nd percentile), but below its 90th-percentile peak in 2023–24. Its student-teacher ratio is 12, and 68% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch; these are useful context, not explanations for achievement. One SchoolDigger subgroup result merits attention: the Special Education Students’ percentile fell from 96 in 2023–24 to 54 in 2025–26, compared with the school’s overall 81st percentile. The Native American Students’ subgroup ranked in the 33rd percentile in its one reported year, versus 90 overall, but that comparison covered only three schools.

223

Students ?

12.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,870

Per pupil spending ?

68.2%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

1501 Park Ave
Baxter Springs, KS 66713

(620) 856-3311

District: Baxter Springs

Students who attend Central Elementary usually attend:

High:

Baxter Springs High

Racial breakdown:

White:

70.4%

American Indian:

14.3%

Hispanic:

7.6%

See top rated Kansas elementary schools

Compare Central Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 90th percentile in 2024 → 81st in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Kansas average (58% vs 42% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 19% of Kansas elementary schools

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped from its 90th-percentile peak (2024) to 81st (2026)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school58%

District avg55%

Kansas avg42%

124^th of 657

Kansas public elementary schools ?

Top 19%▲ up 44 pts since 2016

From bottom 37% (2016) to top 19% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Kansas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

10^th of 268Baxter Springs among Kansas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	76.5	124 of 657	81.1%	★★★★☆
2025	78.5	118 of 656	82.0%	★★★★☆
2024	87.1	65 of 653	90.0%	★★★★★
2023	81.5	94 of 660	85.8%	★★★★☆
2022	77.5	117 of 668	82.5%	★★★★☆
2021	61.2	244 of 670	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	63.5	217 of 667	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	60.3	237 of 656	63.9%	★★★☆☆
2017	49.2	335 of 659	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2016	41.6	415 of 656	36.7%	★★☆☆☆
2015	43.2	422 of 678	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2013	69.9	212 of 668	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2012	59.1	346 of 660	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2011	66.0	235 of 631	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2010	64.7	246 of 630	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2009	50.3	387 of 621	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2008	47.8	404 of 614	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2007	40.7	442 of 600	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	43.0	390 of 585	33.3%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2021	68.1	43 of 214	79.9%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	73.7	130 of 585	77.8%	★★★★☆
2021	50.7	303 of 591	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	68.8	161 of 591	72.8%	★★★★☆
2018	57.4	240 of 574	58.2%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	83.2	37 of 546	93.2%	★★★★★
2025	80.5	49 of 533	90.8%	★★★★★
2024	91.8	10 of 546	98.2%	★★★★★
2023	87.8	19 of 541	96.5%	★★★★★
2022	84.0	31 of 512	93.9%	★★★★★
2021	65.3	125 of 494	74.7%	★★★★☆
2019	68.5	108 of 509	78.8%	★★★★☆
2018	73.1	73 of 512	85.7%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	76.8	112 of 594	81.1%	★★★★☆
2021	70.5	147 of 605	75.7%	★★★★☆
2019	55.8	240 of 586	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	60.9	208 of 575	63.8%	★★★☆☆

Native American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2024	84.1	2 of 3	33.3%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	48.2	146 of 318	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	84.5	21 of 313	93.3%	★★★★★
2024	90.4	12 of 306	96.1%	★★★★★
2023	66.8	68 of 296	77.0%	★★★★☆
2022	63.6	86 of 305	71.8%	★★★★☆
2021	68.1	43 of 214	79.9%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	69.6	142 of 576	75.3%	★★★★☆
2025	74.2	116 of 576	79.9%	★★★★☆
2024	78.2	95 of 579	83.6%	★★★★☆
2023	73.6	115 of 584	80.3%	★★★★☆
2022	68.6	146 of 596	75.5%	★★★★☆
2021	55.9	243 of 587	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	55.8	244 of 592	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	52.1	273 of 574	52.4%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)93rd percentile+12 vs school

Male (2026)81st percentile~ school

Disabled (2021)80th percentile+16 vs school

Female (2026)78th percentile-3 vs school

White (2026)75th percentile-6 vs school

Special Education (2026)54th percentile-27 vs school

Native American (2024)33rd percentile-57 vs school

By subject vs Kansas (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts65%+19 vs state

Mathematics60%+19 vs state

Science50%+12 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Central Elementary and help other families decide.

Rate Central Elementary

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Central Elementary

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				KAP English Language Arts (2026)					KAP Mathematics (2026)					KAP Science (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	KAP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	KAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	KAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	KAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	KAP English Language Arts All Grades	KAP Mathematics 3rd Grade	KAP Mathematics 4th Grade	KAP Mathematics 5th Grade	KAP Mathematics 6th Grade	KAP Mathematics All Grades	KAP Science 5th Grade	KAP Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Central Elementary	Public	3-6	1501 Park Ave	Baxter Springs	66713	Cherokee County	Baxter Springs	No	No	No	Yes	(620) 856-3311	223	19	12.0	68.2%	157 (70.4%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (7.6%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (14.3%)	5 (2.2%)	12 (5.4%)	76.5	124^th of 657 public elementary schools	81.1%		78.5	118^th of 656 public elementary schools	82.0%	6	60.0	80.3	58.1	59.3	64.8	54.9	67.7	56.4	60.0	60.0	50.0	50.0	$10,870	$247	$10,624
Lincoln Elementary	Public	PK, KG-2	801 Lincoln Ave	Baxter Springs	66713	Cherokee County	Baxter Springs	No	No	No	Yes	(620) 856-3322	245	16	15.3	65.3%	171 (69.8%)	1 (0.4%)	14 (5.7%)	1 (0.4%)	32 (13.1%)	6 (2.4%)	20 (8.2%)								(n/a)													$13,628	$399	$13,229
Riverton Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	7166 SE 70th	Riverton	66770	Cherokee County	Riverton	No	No	No	Yes	(620) 848-4078	313	26	12.0	61.3%	258 (82.4%)	1 (0.3%)	4 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (4.2%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (11.8%)	37.4	447^th of 657 public elementary schools	32.0%		43.8	378^th of 656 public elementary schools	42.4%	69	61.4	39.2	48.1		49.0	43.2	23.5	25.0		29.9	38.5	38.5	$15,009	$1,855	$13,154
Spring Grove Primary Center	Public	PK, KG-2	1900 Galena Ave.	Galena	66739	Cherokee County	Galena	No	No	No	Yes	(620) 783-4499	229	14	16.6	65.1%	162 (70.7%)	1 (0.4%)	20 (8.7%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.3%)	2 (0.9%)	41 (17.9%)								(n/a)													$13,069	$2,200	$10,868
Liberty Elementary	Public	3-5	624 E. 8th Street	Galena	66739	Cherokee County	Galena	No	No	No	Yes	(620) 783-4499	167	14	12.2	64.1%	131 (78.4%)	1 (0.6%)	11 (6.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.8%)	1 (0.6%)	20 (12.0%)	38.5	427^th of 657 public elementary schools	35.0%		42.9	384^th of 656 public elementary schools	41.5%	43	51.6	51.7	51.1		51.5	32.2	36.7	38.3		35.5	23.4	23.4	$14,537	$2,430	$12,107
Central Elementary	Public	2-6	810 S High School Avenue	Columbus	66725	Cherokee County	Columbus	No	No	No	Yes	(620) 429-3943	348	27	13.0	64.4%	293 (84.2%)	2 (0.6%)	19 (5.5%)	1 (0.3%)	5 (1.4%)	1 (0.3%)	27 (7.8%)	38.8	425^th of 657 public elementary schools	35.3%		38.4	430^th of 656 public elementary schools	34.5%	5	35.1	44.9	42.9	34.3	39.1	32.4	53.6	41.1	44.8	42.9	40.3	40.3	$13,456	$1,925	$11,531
Park Elementary	Public	PK, KG-1	724 E Garfield Street	Columbus	66725	Cherokee County	Columbus	No	No	No	Yes	(620) 429-3905	208	13	15.8	59.1%	159 (76.4%)	5 (2.4%)	20 (9.6%)	1 (0.5%)	9 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (6.7%)								(n/a)													$12,689	$1,553	$11,136
Chetopa Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	430 Elm Street	Chetopa	67336	Labette County	Chetopa-St. Paul	No	No	No	Yes	(620) 236-7244	61	8	8.0	88.5%	49 (80.3%)	1 (1.6%)	3 (4.9%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (9.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.3%)								(n/a)					29.4					41.2			$24,305	$3,480	$20,825

Frequently Asked Questions about Central Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Central Elementary?

Students at Central Elementary are 70% White, 14% American Indian, 8% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 2% Pacific Islander.

Is Central Elementary a good school?

Central Elementary ranks 124^th of 657 Kansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Central Elementary in?

Baxter Springs

What schools do graduates of Central Elementary attend?

Students who attend Central Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : Baxter Springs High

How many students attend Central Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 223 students attended Central Elementary.

Rate Central Elementary!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

KSKansas Elementary School Rankings

KSKansas District Rankings

Schools in Baxter Springs, KS

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Central Elementary!

Latest Kansas data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataNewNov 2, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesNewNov 1, 2026

2025–26 attendance dataOct 13, 2026

2025–26 KAP test scoresOct 13, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Kansas State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.