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

Whitson Elementary

Q: Is Whitson Elementary a good school?

Whitson Elementary ranks 330 th of 656 Kansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

330^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 656 Kansas Elementary Schools

Better than 50% of Kansas elementary schools

Summary

Whitson Elementary is a public elementary school in Topeka, Kansas, serving 434 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Topeka Public Schools district, which is ranked 247 out of 264 districts in the state.

Whitson Elementary consistently outperforms the Topeka Public Schools district and the state of Kansas in academic proficiency across all grades and subjects. In the 2024-2025 school year, 54.5% of Whitson students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 29.91% for Topeka Public Schools and 44.47% for Kansas. The school's performance is particularly strong in 3rd and 4th grade ELA, where it ranks in the top 25% and top 50% of Kansas elementary schools, respectively. Whitson also performs well in ELL and low-socioeconomic student subgroups, ranking in the top 50 and top 25% of Kansas elementary schools. However, the school has experienced a concerning increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 19.7% in 2023-2024 to 43.4% in 2024-2025, which is significantly higher than the state average.

While Whitson Elementary generally outperforms the other Topeka Public Schools elementary schools in the area, Wanamaker Elementary, which is part of the Auburn-Washburn district, consistently outperforms Whitson across all academic measures, ranking in the top 25-50% of Kansas elementary schools. Additionally, Whitson Elementary has a relatively high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 51.28% to 65.56% over the past few years, suggesting the school serves a population with higher economic needs.

416

Students ?

12.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,511

Per pupil spending ?

64.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1725 SW Arnold Ave
Topeka, KS 66604

(785) 438-4570

District: Topeka Public Schools

Students who attend Whitson Elementary usually attend:

High:

Topeka West High

Racial breakdown:

White:

49.8%

Hispanic:

30.3%

Two or more races:

11.5%

See top rated Kansas elementary schools

Compare Whitson Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 18th percentile in 2015 → 50th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 32 percentile points since 2015

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Topeka Public Schools

Worth a look

!High chronic absenteeism (43% vs 20% Kansas)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school44%

District avg26%

Kansas avg42%

330^th of 656

Kansas public elementary schools ?

Top 50%▲ up 32 pts since 2015

From bottom 18% (2015) to top 50% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Kansas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 14Elementary Schools in the Topeka Public Schools

247^th of 264Topeka 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
2025	50.7	330 of 656	49.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.6	238 of 653	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	50.2	328 of 660	50.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	44.6	379 of 668	43.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	43.0	392 of 670	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	38.7	428 of 667	35.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.8	434 of 656	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2017	28.1	513 of 659	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	15.7	580 of 656	11.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	25.5	559 of 678	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	18.4	583 of 668	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	21.1	584 of 660	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	29.4	531 of 631	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	30.9	522 of 630	17.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	35.9	495 of 621	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	29.3	503 of 614	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	40.5	443 of 600	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	35.4	438 of 585	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2021	56.2	78 of 214	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	44.0	99 of 193	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	17.2	133 of 140	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2025	60.7	33 of 129	74.4%	★★★★☆
2024	51.0	46 of 124	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	58.8	31 of 117	73.5%	★★★★☆
2018	23.2	115 of 129	10.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2021	45.2	342 of 591	42.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	32.7	409 of 591	30.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	32.3	418 of 574	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2025	84.7	23 of 262	91.2%	★★★★★
2024	72.6	46 of 260	82.3%	★★★★☆
2023	58.9	76 of 245	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	65.8	54 of 254	78.7%	★★★★☆
2021	66.5	42 of 229	81.7%	★★★★☆
2019	53.5	98 of 235	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	42.7	118 of 207	43.0%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2025	52.3	243 of 533	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	65.2	148 of 546	72.9%	★★★★☆
2023	59.3	191 of 541	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	60.3	157 of 512	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	50.8	236 of 509	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	39.0	354 of 512	30.9%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2021	48.7	304 of 605	49.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	48.7	298 of 586	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	48.4	299 of 575	48.0%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2025	45.6	160 of 313	48.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	55.4	118 of 306	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	47.2	152 of 296	48.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	40.7	177 of 305	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	56.2	78 of 214	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	44.0	99 of 193	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	17.2	133 of 140	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kansas percentile	Rating
2025	44.5	333 of 576	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	66.9	153 of 579	73.6%	★★★★☆
2023	58.3	220 of 584	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.2	282 of 596	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	48.8	305 of 587	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	35.7	413 of 592	30.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	52.3	272 of 574	52.6%	★★★☆☆

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)

Hispanic (2025)91st percentile+42 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)74th percentile+25 vs school

Disabled (2021)64th percentile+22 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)54th percentile+5 vs school

Male (2021)50th percentile+8 vs school

Special Education (2025)49th percentile~ school

White (2025)42nd percentile-8 vs school

Female (2021)42nd percentile~ school

By subject vs Kansas (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts54%+10 vs state

Mathematics40%~ state avg

Science38%-3 vs state

★

No ratings yet

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

Rate Whitson 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 Whitson Elementary

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				KAP English Language Arts (2025)					KAP Mathematics (2025)					KAP Science (2025)		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/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	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
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%)	50.7	330^th of 656 public elementary schools	49.7%		60.6	238^th of 653 public elementary schools	63.6%	92	55.1	63.6	44.6		54.5	43.5	43.9	33.8		40.5	38.5	38.5	$16,511	$2,935	$13,576
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%)	30.6	484^th of 656 public elementary schools	26.2%		24.8	516^th of 653 public elementary schools	21.0%	32	46.3	28.6	47.9		41.1	45.4	18.0	30.6		31.8	28.6	28.6	$15,894	$2,921	$12,972
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%)	24.5	516^th of 656 public elementary schools	21.3%		27.7	496^th of 653 public elementary schools	24.0%	20	27.9	40.4	31.9		33.6	27.9	29.2	38.3		31.9	29.8	29.8	$20,295	$3,379	$16,916
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%)	41.1	403^rd of 656 public elementary schools	38.6%		45.2	373^rd of 653 public elementary schools	42.9%	30	43.5	41.4	54.2		46.0	31.4	32.4	44.1		35.5	42.4	42.4	$15,778	$2,927	$12,851
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%)	19.2	554^th of 656 public elementary schools	15.5%		36.3	440^th of 653 public elementary schools	32.6%	114	31.2	44.6	17.2		31.7	20.3	28.0	16.9		22.1	34.4	34.4	$15,034	$2,793	$12,240
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%)	21.4	539^th of 656 public elementary schools	17.8%		38.4	427^th of 653 public elementary schools	34.6%	112	34.0	28.8	46.8		36.3	17.0	19.2	29.8		21.9	32.6	32.6	$15,907	$3,069	$12,838
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%)	22.7	532^nd of 656 public elementary schools	18.9%		20.2	547^th of 653 public elementary schools	16.2%	15	42.4	31.2	38.3		37.7	31.1	18.4	19.7		23.3	36.1	36.1	$14,313	$3,731	$10,582
Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1301 SE Monroe St	Topeka	66612	Shawnee County	Topeka Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(785) 235-7330	447	41	10.7	92.8%	88 (19.7%)	118 (26.4%)	137 (30.6%)	6 (1.3%)	4 (0.9%)	4 (0.9%)	90 (20.1%)	24.5	514^th of 656 public elementary schools	21.6%		9.3	616^th of 653 public elementary schools	5.7%	102	43.6	29.3	32.3		34.8	39.3	14.0	29.2		27.5	35.4	35.4	$17,925	$3,747	$14,178
Meadows Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	201 SW Clay St	Topeka	66606	Shawnee County	Topeka Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(785) 235-7150	0	32	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	24.1	521^st of 656 public elementary schools	20.6%		29.9	479^th of 653 public elementary schools	26.6%	42	33.3	31.8	37.7		34.3	35.9	22.4	31.0		29.7	33.8	33.8	$17,702	$3,846	$13,857
Wanamaker Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	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%)	59.8	260^th of 656 public elementary schools	60.4%		70	159^th of 653 public elementary schools	75.7%	101	47.8	51.7	51.6	66.1	54.3	40.3	42.6	34.9	59.7	44.6	57.1	57.1	$11,874	$713	$11,161

Frequently Asked Questions about Whitson Elementary

What schools do graduates of Whitson Elementary attend?

Students who attend Whitson Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : Topeka West High

What district is Whitson Elementary in?

Topeka Public Schools

Is Whitson Elementary a good school?

Whitson Elementary ranks 330^th of 656 Kansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Whitson Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 416 students attended Whitson Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Whitson Elementary?

Students at Whitson Elementary are 50% White, 30% Hispanic, 12% Two or more races, 7% African American.

Rate Whitson Elementary!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

KSKansas Elementary School Rankings

KSKansas District Rankings

Schools in Topeka, KS

Sign up for updates!

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

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.