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West Elk Schools

Q: Is West Elk Schools a good school?

West Elk Schools ranks 269 th of 657 Kansas alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades PK, KG-12

269^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 657 Kansas Alternative Schools

Better than 59% of Kansas alternative schools

Summary

West Elk Schools is an alternative school in Howard, Kansas, serving 371 students in prekindergarten through grade 12. Its reported graduation rate was 100% in 2023–24, and its 2025–26 English results were essentially at the state level, though math and science remained below. The most important academic takeaway is that English proficiency matched the state, while math and science still trailed it.

West Elk Schools stands out against nearby schools: it scored higher than both West Elk Virtual Academy and Rocket Online Schools (ROCS) in all three subjects. Its proficiency was 46% in English, 37% in math, and 34% in science, compared with nearby-school averages of 24%, 8%, and 16%, respectively. Math is its clearest advantage over nearby schools, but also its weakest subject against the state: West Elk was 4 percentage points below the state in math and science, while its English rate essentially matched the state. It also outperformed the West Elk district by 10 points in English, 12 in math, and 10 in science.

Test results have improved over four years: English rose 19 percentage points, math 10, and science 19 from 2022–23 to 2025–26. Science has not risen steadily, however; after peaking in 2024–25, it fell 4 points the next year. Other indicators include chronic absenteeism of 17%, below the state’s 18% and the district’s 38%, and a student–teacher ratio of 10.8 in 2024–25; the nearby schools’ reported ratios were much higher. The free/reduced-lunch rate was 68% that year. SchoolDigger does not provide a comparable school-level rank or star rating for West Elk, so the supplied ranking information cannot establish its statewide standing.

371

Students ?

10.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,619

Per pupil spending ?

67.9%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

1199 State Highway 99
Howard, KS 67349-0278

(620) 374-2147

District: West Elk

Racial breakdown:

White:

79.5%

Hispanic:

12.4%

Two or more races:

3.8%

See top rated Kansas elementary schools

Compare West Elk Schools to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 21st percentile in 2025 → 46th in 2026

Strengths

✓100% graduate in 4 years — above the Kansas average (90%)

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 46th (2026) from a 21st-percentile low (2025)

✓Above the Kansas median (59th percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school39%

District avg28%

Kansas avg42%

Elementary school

269^th of 657

Kansas public elementary schools ?

Top 41%▲ up 16 pts since 2016

From bottom 43% (2016) to top 41% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Kansas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

241^st of 368

Kansas public middle schools ?

Bottom 35%▼ down 15 pts since 2016

From top 50% (2016) to bottom 35% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Kansas Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

185^th of 340

Kansas public high schools ?

Bottom 46%▲ up 12 pts since 2016

From bottom 34% (2016) to bottom 46% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Kansas High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 2Alternative Schools in the West Elk

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

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	57.6	269 of 657	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	50.7	328 of 656	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	53.9	291 of 653	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	34.5	458 of 660	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	43.6	388 of 668	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	44.8	379 of 670	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	55.4	281 of 667	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.0	275 of 656	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	48.7	339 of 659	48.6%	★★☆☆☆
2016	45.4	374 of 656	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2015	1.4	677 of 678	0.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	72.4	170 of 668	74.6%	★★★★☆
2012	75.5	93 of 660	85.9%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	67.6	165 of 585	71.8%	★★★★☆
2021	40.6	367 of 591	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	47.6	321 of 591	45.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	34.7	403 of 574	29.8%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	65.3	142 of 546	74.0%	★★★★☆
2025	58.2	196 of 533	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	55.1	227 of 546	58.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	46.8	286 of 541	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	59.7	161 of 512	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	52.8	215 of 494	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	74.7	58 of 509	88.6%	★★★★☆
2018	69.4	98 of 512	80.9%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	49.8	290 of 594	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	47.4	315 of 605	47.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	64.6	170 of 586	71.0%	★★★★☆
2018	68.6	151 of 575	73.7%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2024	76.1	43 of 306	85.9%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	45.8	321 of 576	44.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	43.2	343 of 576	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.5	319 of 579	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	25.4	479 of 584	18.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	32.5	446 of 596	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	32.2	432 of 587	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	46.5	321 of 592	45.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	50.7	284 of 574	50.5%	★★★☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	36.9	241 of 368	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	33.2	253 of 363	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.0	218 of 362	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	19.3	318 of 362	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	41.3	204 of 368	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	38.9	229 of 367	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	74.5	58 of 368	84.2%	★★★★☆
2018	48.4	166 of 350	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	68.5	71 of 358	80.2%	★★★★☆
2016	46.4	172 of 343	49.9%	★★★☆☆
2015	2.5	368 of 368	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	76.8	46 of 355	87.0%	★★★★☆
2012	74.8	44 of 342	87.1%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	37.4	198 of 304	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	47.2	147 of 313	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	64.7	78 of 294	73.5%	★★★★☆
2018	43.5	151 of 275	45.1%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	37.6	194 of 295	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	57.7	91 of 285	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	50.6	116 of 296	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	27.4	254 of 300	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	52.3	99 of 270	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	53.8	104 of 275	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	78.6	16 of 270	94.1%	★★★★★
2018	48.7	110 of 255	56.9%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	38.2	200 of 317	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	36.1	212 of 308	31.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	77.6	44 of 301	85.4%	★★★★☆
2018	55.8	101 of 280	63.9%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2022	87.5	11 of 171	93.6%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	31.5	251 of 343	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	31.4	250 of 349	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	29.3	263 of 347	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	17.4	317 of 349	9.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	36.5	230 of 349	34.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	33.5	242 of 349	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	71.1	65 of 344	81.1%	★★★★☆
2018	46.2	164 of 333	50.8%	★★★☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	47.5	185 of 340	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	24.7	261 of 332	21.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	46.9	172 of 318	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	66.9	86 of 327	73.7%	★★★★☆
2022	52.9	148 of 324	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	60.1	114 of 320	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	62.6	100 of 325	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	71.8	63 of 314	79.9%	★★★★☆
2017	16.3	276 of 316	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	34.9	208 of 313	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2015	2.0	325 of 326	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	76.1	44 of 323	86.4%	★★★★☆
2012	48.1	222 of 317	30.0%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	60.9	95 of 270	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	64.2	74 of 250	70.4%	★★★★☆
2019	49.2	125 of 249	49.8%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	77.6	25 of 238	89.5%	★★★★☆
2025	25.3	201 of 246	18.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	61.1	70 of 249	71.9%	★★★★☆
2023	62.8	65 of 250	74.0%	★★★★☆
2022	49.8	105 of 223	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	37.3	139 of 213	34.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	91.4	7 of 229	96.9%	★★★★★
2018	89.7	15 of 228	93.4%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	31.7	201 of 272	26.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	50.1	122 of 258	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	41.5	143 of 248	42.3%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2022	45.6	46 of 117	60.7%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	40.2	209 of 315	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	12.7	280 of 306	8.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	39.3	194 of 295	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	60.0	107 of 309	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	39.8	196 of 307	36.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	56.2	110 of 302	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	58.8	106 of 306	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	52.6	130 of 296	56.1%	★★★☆☆

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)

Elementary school

Special Education (2024)86th percentile+31 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)74th percentile+15 vs school

Female (2026)72nd percentile+13 vs school

Male (2026)51st percentile-8 vs school

White (2026)44th percentile-15 vs school

Middle school

Special Education (2022)94th percentile+49 vs school

Male (2026)37th percentile~ school

Female (2026)35th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)34th percentile~ school

White (2026)27th percentile-8 vs school

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)89th percentile+44 vs school

Female (2026)65th percentile+19 vs school

Special Education (2022)61st percentile+6 vs school

White (2026)34th percentile-12 vs school

Male (2026)26th percentile-19 vs school

By subject vs Kansas (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts46%~ state avg

Mathematics37%-4 vs state

Science34%-4 vs state

★

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Schools Near West Elk Schools

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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 ()				Ranking ()				KAP English Language Arts (2026)								KAP Mathematics (2026)								KAP Science (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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 ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	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 7th Grade	KAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	KAP English Language Arts 10th 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 7th Grade	KAP Mathematics 8th Grade	KAP Mathematics 10th Grade	KAP Mathematics All Grades	KAP Science 5th Grade	KAP Science 8th Grade	KAP Science 11th Grade	KAP Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
West Elk Schools	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	1199 State Highway 99	Howard	67349	Elk County	West Elk	No	No	No	Yes	(620) 374-2147	371	34	10.8	67.9%	295 (79.5%)	3 (0.8%)	46 (12.4%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.5%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.8%)								(n/a)	50.0	50.0	65.0	48.0	45.2	28.0	38.1	46.0	28.6	41.7	55.0	52.0	25.8	24.0	38.1	36.8	60.0	20.0	26.3	34.4	$17,619	$4,628	$12,991
West Elk Virtual Academy	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	1201 St Hwy 99	Howard	67349	Elk County	West Elk	No	No	Yes	No	(620) 374-2113	226	4	57.9	—	150 (66.4%)	26 (11.5%)	32 (14.2%)	5 (2.2%)	4 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (4.0%)								(n/a)	27.3	50.0	8.3	30.4	25.6	42.9	12.2	25.6		10.0	0.0	5.0	12.5	17.2	10.2	11.8	0.0	28.6	10.3	15.4	$5,323	$00	$5,323
Rocket Online Schools (ROCS)	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	701 Delaware	Longton	67352	Elk County	Elk Valley	No	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(888) 303-7077	1,844	5	349.2	—	1,381 (74.9%)	163 (8.8%)	187 (10.1%)	20 (1.1%)	37 (2.0%)	18 (1.0%)	38 (2.1%)								(n/a)	14.3	14.3	22.2	23.6	23.1	19.3	26.4	22.6	5.9	2.9	5.7	1.5	7.7	6.9	4.0	5.0	21.2	15.3	15.3	15.7

Frequently Asked Questions about West Elk Schools

What is the racial makeup of West Elk Schools?

Students at West Elk Schools are 80% White, 12% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 4% American Indian.

Is West Elk Schools a good school?

West Elk Schools ranks 269^th of 657 Kansas alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend West Elk Schools?

In the 2024-25 school year, 371 students attended West Elk Schools.

What district is West Elk Schools in?

West Elk

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Latest Kansas data All new data »

2025–26 attendance dataOct 13, 2026

2025–26 KAP test scoresOct 13, 2026

2023–24 school spending dataJan 8, 2026

2024–25 dropout ratesDec 4, 2025

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.