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Karnes Stone BarnKarnes Stone Barn · Photo: SharonPapierdreams · CC BY-SA 4.0
C−
Schools in Elk Township · Santa Fe Trail Unified School District 434

Elk Township’s public schools score below 76% of Kansas districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 21% of Elk Township’s students scored proficient, below the Kansas average (29%). The grade covers the public school district serving Elk 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.

≈could be anywhere from D to B−K–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
24%
▼ 8 pts vs KS 32%
2021–22
Math proficiency
21%
▼ 8 pts vs KS 29%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 1–3 pts vs KS 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.2K
▲ 1% vs KS $15.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.0
KS 13.3
Schools in town
1
1,009 students on the public path
In brief

Elk Township’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 24% of tested students were proficient in reading and 21% in math, against 32% and 29% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas (the state reports Elk Township’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,165 per student, against $14,966 across Kansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 4 the district’s path is Carbondale Attendance Center, then Santa Fe Trail High. 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Elk Township’s grade

C− Test scoresC+ Graduation

C−: better than 24% of Kansas school districts. Both inputs trail the Kansas average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Kansas school districts we grade (283)Better than 24%
Lower resultsHigher results
Kansas towns with similar household incomes (826)Better than 21%
Towns in Osage County (16)Better than 0%
DB−A rough placement. Ordinary sampling error in 546 test results and a graduating class of 72 could put Elk Township anywhere from D to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Elk Township’s students in the tested grades sat them (546 in math, 547 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Elk Township, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–3Overbrook Attendance CenterSanta Fe Trail Unified School District 434A−
4–8Carbondale Attendance Centerin CarbondaleB−
9–12Santa Fe Trail Highin CarbondaleB

Elk Township’s public schools are run by Santa Fe Trail Unified School District 434, which also serves Carbondale, Fairfax, Junction and Marion and others. Parts of Elk Township (4% of its land) are served by Shawnee Heights Unified School District 450 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.

Santa Fe Trail Unified School District 434Grades PK–12 · 3 schools · 1,009 students, down 3% since 2020–21 · 13.0 per teacher (KS 13.3)
$15,165KS $14,966 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading24%
State average 32.5% · 547 students tested
Math21%
State average 29.4% · 546 students tested

Elk Township vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Kansas towns that share Elk Township’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Elk TownshipC−Santa Fe Trail Unified School District 434
Marion—Santa Fe Trail Unified School District 434 PK–12 · Baldwin City Unified School District 348 PK–12
JunctionCWest Franklin Unified School District 287 PK–12 · Santa Fe Trail Unified School District 434 PK–12 · Lyndon Unified School District 421 PK–12
MonmouthBShawnee Heights Unified School District 450
RidgewayC−Santa Fe Trail Unified School District 434
Fairfax—Lyndon Unified School District 421 PK–12 · Santa Fe Trail Unified School District 434 PK–12

4 of the 5 neighbors share Santa Fe Trail Unified School District 434 with Elk Township, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Elk Township

3 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).

District schools in Elk Townshipby address
Overbrook Attendance Center
Elementary · Grades PK–3 · Overbrook
A−
331 students17:1Rate it →
Also serving Elk Townshipin other towns
Carbondale Attendance Center
Middle · Grades 4–8 · Carbondale
B−
370 students12:1Rate it →
Santa Fe Trail High
High · Grades 9–12 · Carbondale
B
308 students12:1Rate it →

Questions about Elk Township’s schools

Are Elk Township’s schools good?

On Kansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Elk Township children attend score below 76% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 21%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Elk Township in?

Santa Fe Trail Unified School District 434, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,009 students in 3 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Elk Township are served by Shawnee Heights Unified School District 450.

Where do Elk Township kids go to high school?

Santa Fe Trail High in Carbondale, with 308 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Elk Township’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Santa Fe Trail Unified School District 434 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas.

How much does Elk Township spend per student?

$15,165 in Santa Fe Trail Unified School District 434 (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Elk Township families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Elk 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.