Gallagher House · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0Big Creek Township’s public schools outscore 84% of Kansas districts
In Big Creek Township, 39% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Kansas average (29%). The grade covers the public school district serving Big Creek Township, 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.
Big Creek Township’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 43% and math 39% in spring 2022, against 32% and 29% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,313 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 Hays Middle School, then Hays High. Enrollment is up 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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 Big Creek Township’s grade
A−: better than 84% of Kansas school districts, #21 of 151 Kansas towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Kansas average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Big Creek Township, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Big Creek Township
Lincoln Elem
Grades PK–5 · 274 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Hays
6th grade in Big Creek Township
Hays Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 726 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Hays
7th grade in Big Creek Township
Hays Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 726 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Hays
8th grade in Big Creek Township
Hays Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 726 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Hays
9th grade in Big Creek Township
Hays High
Grades 9–12 · 1,017 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Hays
10th grade in Big Creek Township
Hays High
Grades 9–12 · 1,017 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Hays
11th grade in Big Creek Township
Hays High
Grades 9–12 · 1,017 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Hays
12th grade in Big Creek Township
Hays High
Grades 9–12 · 1,017 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Hays
Big Creek Township’s public schools are run by Hays Unified School District 489, which also serves Buckeye, Freedom, Hays and Schoenchen. Parts of Big Creek Township (13%, 4% and 3% of its land) are served by Ellis Unified School District 388, LaCrosse Unified School District 395 and Victoria Unified School District 432 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 above the state in reading
Big Creek Township vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kansas towns that share Big Creek Township’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Big Creek Township | A− | Hays Unified School District 489 |
| Buckeye | A− | Ellis Unified School District 388 PK–12 · Hays Unified School District 489 PK–12 |
| Ogallah | — | WaKeeney Unified School District 208 PK–12 · Ellis Unified School District 388 PK–12 |
| Freedom | — | Hays Unified School District 489 PK–12 · Victoria Unified School District 432 PK–12 |
| Herzog | B+ | Victoria Unified School District 432 PK–12 · Paradise Unified School District 399 PK–12 |
| Hays | A− | Hays Unified School District 489 |
| Hampton-Fairview | — | LaCrosse Unified School District 395 |
3 of the 6 neighbors share Hays Unified School District 489 with Big Creek Township, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Big Creek Township
6 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 Big Creek Township’s schools
Are Big Creek Township’s schools good?
By Kansas’s own tests, yes: the public schools Big Creek Township children attend outscore 84% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #21 of 151 Kansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 83%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Big Creek Township in?
Hays Unified School District 489, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,434 students in 7 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Big Creek Township are served by Ellis Unified School District 388, LaCrosse Unified School District 395 and Victoria Unified School District 432.
Where do Big Creek Township kids go to high school?
Hays High in Hays, with 1,017 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Big Creek Township’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Hays Unified School District 489 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas.
How much does Big Creek Township spend per student?
$15,313 in Hays Unified School District 489 (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Big Creek Township families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Big Creek Township → 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.