Atchinson Santa Fe Freight Depot · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0Atchison’s public schools score below 71% of Kansas districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Atchison’s districts is 19%, below the Kansas average (29%). The grade covers the public school district serving Atchison, 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 100% 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.
Atchison’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 24% of tested students were proficient in reading and 19% in math, against 32% and 29% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas (the state reports Atchison’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,690 per student, against $14,966 across Kansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then two middle schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is down 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Benedict Catholic School (private), Trinity Lutheran School (private) and Maur Hill - Mount Academy (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 Atchison’s grade
C: better than 29% of Kansas school districts, #123 of 151 Kansas towns. Graduation is above the Kansas average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Atchison, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Atchison
Atchison Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 693 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Atchison
Atchison Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 693 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Atchison · depends on your address
Atchison Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 693 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Central School
Grades 2–12 · 51 students · 10:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Atchison · depends on your address
Atchison Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 693 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Central School
Grades 2–12 · 51 students · 10:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Atchison · depends on your address
Atchison Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 693 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Central School
Grades 2–12 · 51 students · 10:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Atchison · depends on your address
Atchison Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 693 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Central School
Grades 2–12 · 51 students · 10:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Atchison · depends on your address
Atchison Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 287 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Central School
Grades 2–12 · 51 students · 10:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Atchison · depends on your address
Atchison Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 287 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Central School
Grades 2–12 · 51 students · 10:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Atchison · depends on your address
Atchison Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 287 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Central School
Grades 2–12 · 51 students · 10:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Atchison · depends on your address
Atchison High School
Grades 9–12 · 419 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Central School
Grades 2–12 · 51 students · 10:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Atchison · depends on your address
Atchison High School
Grades 9–12 · 419 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Central School
Grades 2–12 · 51 students · 10:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Atchison · depends on your address
Atchison High School
Grades 9–12 · 419 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Central School
Grades 2–12 · 51 students · 10:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Atchison · depends on your address
Atchison High School
Grades 9–12 · 419 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Central School
Grades 2–12 · 51 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Atchison’s public schools are run by Atchison Public Schools Unified School District 409, which also serves Shannon and Walnut. Parts of Atchison (6% of its land) are served by Atchison County Community Schools Unified School District 377 instead. 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
Atchison vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kansas towns that share Atchison’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Atchison | C | Atchison Public Schools Unified School District 409 |
| Shannon | C | Atchison County Community Schools Unified School District 377 PK–12 · Atchison Public Schools Unified School District 409 PK–12 |
| Lancaster | — | Atchison County Community Schools Unified School District 377 |
| Walnut | — | Atchison Public Schools Unified School District 409 PK–12 · Atchison County Community Schools Unified School District 377 PK–12 |
| Mount Pleasant | — | Atchison County Community Schools Unified School District 377 |
2 of the 4 neighbors share Atchison Public Schools Unified School District 409 with Atchison, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Atchison
7 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 Atchison’s schools
Are Atchison’s schools good?
On Kansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Atchison children attend score below 71% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #123 of 151 Kansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 28%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Atchison in?
Atchison Public Schools Unified School District 409, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,450 students in 4 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Atchison are served by Atchison County Community Schools Unified School District 377.
What is Atchison’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in Atchison Public Schools Unified School District 409 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas.
How much does Atchison spend per student?
$15,690 in Atchison Public Schools Unified School District 409 (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Atchison?
Yes: St. Benedict Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 237 students), Trinity Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 160 students) and Maur Hill - Mount Academy (Catholic, grades 9–12, 147 students).
Parents talk
What Atchison families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Atchison → 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.