Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 3.0Arkansas City’s public schools score below 96% of Kansas districts on tests and graduation
16% of students in Arkansas City’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Kansas average (29%). The grade covers the public school district serving Arkansas City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Kansas, not nationally.
From Kansas state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Arkansas City’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 18% of tested students were proficient in reading and 16% in math, against 32% and 29% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
76% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,619 per student, against $14,966 across Kansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Arkansas City Middle Sch, then Arkansas City High. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Ark City Christian Academy (private) and Sacred Heart Catholic School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Arkansas City’s grade
D−: better than 4% of Kansas school districts, #149 of 151 Kansas towns. Both inputs trail the Kansas average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Arkansas City, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Arkansas City
Arkansas City Middle Sch
Grades 6–8 · 628 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Arkansas City
Arkansas City Middle Sch
Grades 6–8 · 628 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Arkansas City
Arkansas City Middle Sch
Grades 6–8 · 628 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Arkansas City
Arkansas City High
Grades 9–12 · 885 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Arkansas City
Arkansas City High
Grades 9–12 · 885 students · 14:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Arkansas City
Arkansas City High
Grades 9–12 · 885 students · 14:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Arkansas City
Arkansas City High
Grades 9–12 · 885 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Arkansas City’s public schools are run by Arkansas City Unified School District 470, which also serves Beaver, Bolton, Creswell and Parkerfield and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Arkansas City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kansas towns that share Arkansas City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas City | D− | Arkansas City Unified School District 470 |
| Creswell | D− | Arkansas City Unified School District 470 |
| Bolton | D− | Arkansas City Unified School District 470 |
| Pleasant Valley | — | Winfield Unified School District 465 PK–12 · Arkansas City Unified School District 470 PK–12 |
| Parkerfield | — | Arkansas City Unified School District 470 |
All 4 neighbors share Arkansas City Unified School District 470 with Arkansas City, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Arkansas City
8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Kansas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Arkansas City’s schools
Are Arkansas City’s schools good?
On Kansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Arkansas City children attend score below 96% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D− Schools grade, #149 of 151 Kansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 4%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Arkansas City in?
Arkansas City Unified School District 470, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,902 students in 8 schools (2024–25).
Where do Arkansas City kids go to high school?
Arkansas City High, with 885 students; its own test results earn a D.
What is Arkansas City’s graduation rate?
76% of the class of 2023 in Arkansas City Unified School District 470 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas.
How much does Arkansas City spend per student?
$14,619 in Arkansas City Unified School District 470 (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Arkansas City?
Yes: Ark City Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 102 students) and Sacred Heart Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 61 students).
Parents talk
What Arkansas City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Arkansas City → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Kansas. Stars are from neighbors.