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McCarter Elementary

Q: Is McCarter Elementary a good school?

McCarter Elementary ranks 457 th of 657 Kansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

457^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 657 Kansas Elementary Schools

Better than 30% of Kansas elementary schools

Summary

McCarter Elementary is a public school in Topeka, Kansas, serving 401 students in prekindergarten through grade 5 as part of Topeka Public Schools. Its most important academic finding is a mixed picture: science proficiency is above state and nearby-school averages, while English language arts (ELA) and math remain below state results.

In 2025–26, 47% of students were proficient in science, compared with 42% at nearby schools on average, 38% statewide, and 24% in the district. ELA proficiency was 42% and math was 36%—both above district results of 30% and 25%, but below state rates of 46% and 41% and nearby averages of 47% and 40%. Among the 10 schools compared, McCarter ranked fifth in ELA, fourth in math, and seventh in science, even though its science rate was above the nearby average. These comparisons make science the clearest strength, while ELA and math are the main areas of concern relative to the state and nearby schools.

Results have moved unevenly: since 2022–23, ELA rose 9 percentage points and science rose 4, while the state gained 13 and 7 points, respectively; math was essentially unchanged as the state improved by 10 points. SchoolDigger placed McCarter at the 30th percentile with 2 stars in 2025–26; it rates the district in the 5th statewide percentile, ranking it 254th of 268. McCarter’s student–teacher ratio was 12.4, the lowest among nearby schools with reported figures, but its ELA and math results were below nearby averages. Chronic absenteeism improved from 30% to 15% between 2024–25 and 2025–26, close to the nearby average of 15%. SchoolDigger’s statewide ranking for Hispanic students was at the 55th percentile, compared with McCarter’s overall 30th percentile; its Multi-racial students’ ranking fell from the 71st percentile in 2024–25 to the 44th in 2025–26.

401

Students ?

12.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,778

Per pupil spending ?

68.3%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

5512 SW 16th St
Topeka, KS 66604-2271

(785) 438-4660

District: Topeka Public Schools

Students who attend McCarter Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Landon Middle School
High:	Topeka West High

Racial breakdown:

White:

35.7%

Hispanic:

29.4%

Two or more races:

21.2%

See top rated Kansas elementary schools

Compare McCarter Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 75th percentile in 2019 → 30th in 2026

Strengths

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Topeka Public Schools

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped from its 75th-percentile peak (2019) to 30th (2026)

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school42%

District avg26%

Kansas avg42%

457^th of 657

Kansas public elementary schools ?

Bottom 30%▲ up 10 pts since 2016

From bottom 20% (2016) to bottom 30% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Kansas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 14Elementary Schools in the Topeka Public Schools

254^th of 268Topeka Public Schools 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	36.0	457 of 657	30.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	41.1	403 of 656	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.2	373 of 653	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	42.0	389 of 660	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	42.4	403 of 668	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	50.7	336 of 670	49.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	70.2	166 of 667	75.1%	★★★★☆
2018	68.6	174 of 656	73.5%	★★★★☆
2017	46.1	369 of 659	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2016	24.7	524 of 656	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	27.9	540 of 678	20.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	50.9	418 of 668	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2012	55.1	387 of 660	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2011	50.6	390 of 631	38.2%	★★☆☆☆
2010	72.4	149 of 630	76.3%	★★★★☆
2009	66.3	230 of 621	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2008	82.0	46 of 614	92.5%	★★★★★
2007	76.4	106 of 600	82.3%	★★★★☆
2006	67.7	196 of 585	66.5%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2018	53.5	60 of 140	57.1%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	44.9	336 of 585	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	57.9	234 of 591	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	72.3	132 of 591	77.7%	★★★★☆
2018	63.5	197 of 574	65.7%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	48.6	120 of 269	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.0	80 of 262	69.5%	★★★★☆
2024	38.6	170 of 260	34.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	24.3	213 of 245	13.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	51.9	108 of 254	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	92.2	8 of 229	96.5%	★★★★★
2019	86.7	15 of 235	93.6%	★★★★★
2018	85.7	12 of 207	94.2%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	40.7	358 of 546	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	50.6	255 of 533	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	42.5	323 of 546	40.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	48.3	268 of 541	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.8	207 of 512	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	82.0	26 of 509	94.9%	★★★★★
2018	78.9	44 of 512	91.4%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	30.5	444 of 594	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	43.0	359 of 605	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	67.4	151 of 586	74.2%	★★★★☆
2018	72.0	128 of 575	77.7%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	43.3	24 of 43	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	56.3	10 of 35	71.4%	★★★★☆
2024	57.5	15 of 41	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	36.2	19 of 29	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	80.0	1 of 15	93.3%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	33.8	212 of 318	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	41.2	176 of 313	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.0	178 of 306	41.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	52.9	131 of 296	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	30.4	225 of 305	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	53.5	60 of 140	57.1%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2026	49.0	295 of 576	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	57.4	237 of 576	58.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	62.1	191 of 579	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.9	213 of 584	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	56.5	242 of 596	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	56.9	236 of 587	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	64.1	183 of 592	69.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	62.9	190 of 574	66.9%	★★★☆☆

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)

Disabled (2018)57th percentile-16 vs school

Hispanic (2026)55th percentile+25 vs school

White (2026)49th percentile+18 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)44th percentile+14 vs school

Female (2026)43rd percentile+12 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)34th percentile+4 vs school

Special Education (2026)33rd percentile+3 vs school

Male (2026)25th percentile-5 vs school

By subject vs Kansas (2025-2026) ?

Science47%+9 vs state

English Language Arts42%-4 vs state

Mathematics36%-5 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★2

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3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, October 16, 2013

McCarter is an excellent school with excellent teachers and staff. Close Quote

Schools Near McCarter Elementary

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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 (2026)				Ranking (2025)				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 (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 All Grades	KAP Mathematics 3rd Grade	KAP Mathematics 4th Grade	KAP Mathematics 5th 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
McCarter Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5512 SW 16th St	Topeka	66604	Shawnee County	Topeka Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(785) 438-4660	401	32	12.4	68.3%	143 (35.7%)	50 (12.5%)	118 (29.4%)	3 (0.7%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	85 (21.2%)	36	457^th of 657 public elementary schools	30.4%		41.1	403^rd of 656 public elementary schools	38.6%	54	42.9	43.1	40.9	42.3	31.7	32.3	43.3	35.9	47.1	47.1	$15,778	$2,927	$12,851
McClure Elementary	Public	K-5	2529 SW Chelsea Dr	Topeka	66614	Shawnee County	Topeka Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(785) 438-4340	301	23	13.0	69.1%	131 (43.5%)	35 (11.6%)	78 (25.9%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	4 (1.3%)	51 (16.9%)	25.3	519^th of 657 public elementary schools	21.0%		21.4	539^th of 656 public elementary schools	17.8%	20	41.3	40.4	32.7	38.0	19.1	29.8	28.6	25.9	44.9	44.9	$15,907	$3,069	$12,838
Whitson Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1725 SW Arnold Ave	Topeka	66604	Shawnee County	Topeka Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(785) 438-4570	416	32	12.8	64.2%	207 (49.8%)	31 (7.5%)	126 (30.3%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (11.5%)	54.8	293^rd of 657 public elementary schools	55.4%		50.7	330^th of 656 public elementary schools	49.7%	37	45.5	59.1	60.0	54.9	37.9	34.8	47.1	40.1	60.0	60.0	$16,511	$2,935	$13,576
Wanamaker Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6630 SW 10th	Topeka	66615	Shawnee County	Auburn-Washburn	No	No	No	No	(785) 339-4800	475	35	13.5	39.6%	286 (60.2%)	18 (3.8%)	78 (16.4%)	36 (7.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (12.0%)	67.6	188^th of 657 public elementary schools	71.4%		59.8	260^th of 656 public elementary schools	60.4%	72	52.8	58.3	57.8	56.5	49.1	50.0	59.4	53.1	63.1	63.1	$11,874	$713	$11,161
McEachron Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4433 SW 29th Terr	Topeka	66614	Shawnee County	Topeka Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(785) 438-4430	422	30	13.9	68.2%	185 (43.8%)	58 (13.7%)	91 (21.6%)	5 (1.2%)	3 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	79 (18.7%)	18.3	563^rd of 657 public elementary schools	14.3%		19.2	554^th of 656 public elementary schools	15.5%	9	41.9	34.5	29.0	34.9	27.4	29.3	22.1	26.1	24.6	24.6	$15,034	$2,793	$12,240
Randolph Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1400 SW Randolph Ave	Topeka	66604	Shawnee County	Topeka Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(785) 438-4480	346	26	13.1	72.8%	158 (45.7%)	40 (11.6%)	89 (25.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	2 (0.6%)	55 (15.9%)	35.9	458^th of 657 public elementary schools	30.3%		30.6	484^th of 656 public elementary schools	26.2%	26	50.9	54.2	31.3	45.6	44.4	32.6	33.3	37.1	28.6	28.6	$15,894	$2,921	$12,972
Farley Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6701 SW 33rd Street	Topeka	66614	Shawnee County	Auburn-Washburn	No	No	No	No	(785) 408-8300	596	43	13.7	32.7%	372 (62.4%)	31 (5.2%)	59 (9.9%)	41 (6.9%)	6 (1.0%)	5 (0.8%)	82 (13.8%)	77.3	115^th of 657 public elementary schools	82.5%		66.4	211^th of 656 public elementary schools	67.8%	96	62.7	61.6	64.1	62.7	55.2	61.6	67.9	61.1	54.7	54.7	$13,304	$757	$12,547
Lowman Hill Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1101 SW Garfield Ave	Topeka	66604	Shawnee County	Topeka Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(785) 235-7060	294	23	12.5	82.7%	108 (36.7%)	33 (11.2%)	111 (37.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.3%)	39 (13.3%)	25.8	516^th of 657 public elementary schools	21.5%		24.5	516^th of 656 public elementary schools	21.3%		25.0	36.6	40.9	34.1	25.0	43.9	40.9	36.4	25.0	25.0	$20,295	$3,379	$16,916
Jardine Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2600 SW 33rd St	Topeka	66611	Shawnee County	Topeka Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(785) 295-3000	729	51	14.2	73.8%	256 (35.1%)	126 (17.3%)	205 (28.1%)	8 (1.1%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	130 (17.8%)	20.1	552^nd of 657 public elementary schools	16.0%		22.7	532^nd of 656 public elementary schools	18.9%	20	23.9	41.3	34.0	33.1	19.5	30.6	29.0	26.2	35.0	35.0	$14,313	$3,731	$10,582
Indian Hills Elementary	Public	K-5	7445 SW 29th	Topeka	66614	Shawnee County	Auburn-Washburn	No	No	No	No	(785) 339-4500	440	32	13.6	28.2%	297 (67.5%)	23 (5.2%)	47 (10.7%)	30 (6.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (9.5%)	67.5	190^th of 657 public elementary schools	71.1%		67.9	183^rd of 656 public elementary schools	72.1%	7	77.8	61.3	44.6	61.0	64.1	62.9	43.1	56.5	44.6	44.6	$11,823	$669	$11,154

Frequently Asked Questions about McCarter Elementary

What schools do graduates of McCarter Elementary attend?

Students who attend McCarter Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Landon Middle School
High : Topeka West High

How many students attend McCarter Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 401 students attended McCarter Elementary.

What district is McCarter Elementary in?

Topeka Public Schools

What is the racial makeup of McCarter Elementary?

Students at McCarter Elementary are 36% White, 29% Hispanic, 21% Two or more races, 12% African American.

Is McCarter Elementary a good school?

McCarter Elementary ranks 457^th of 657 Kansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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Latest Kansas data All new data »

2025–26 attendance dataNewOct 13, 2026

2025–26 KAP test scoresNewOct 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.