Photo: Ethan James Scherrer · CC BY-SA 3.0Emporia’s public schools score below 75% of Kansas districts on tests and graduation
In Emporia, 19% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Kansas average (29%). The grade covers the public school district serving Emporia, 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.
Emporia’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
89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,202 per student, against $14,966 across Kansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Emporia Middle School, then Emporia High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Sacred Heart School (private) and Emporia Christian 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 Emporia’s grade
C: better than 25% of Kansas school districts, #132 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 Emporia, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Emporia
Emporia Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 843 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Emporia
Emporia Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 843 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Emporia
Emporia Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 843 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Emporia
Emporia High
Grades 9–12 · 1,494 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Emporia
Emporia High
Grades 9–12 · 1,494 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Emporia
Emporia High
Grades 9–12 · 1,494 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Emporia
Emporia High
Grades 9–12 · 1,494 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Emporia’s public schools are run by Emporia Unified School District 253, which also serves Emporia, Fremont and Pike. Parts of Emporia (7% of its land) are served by Southern Lyon County Unified School District 252 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
Emporia vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kansas towns that share Emporia’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Emporia | C | Emporia Unified School District 253 |
| Emporia Township | — | Emporia Unified School District 253 PK–12 · Southern Lyon County Unified School District 252 PK–12 |
| Pike | — | Emporia Unified School District 253 |
| Fremont | — | North Lyon County Unified School District 251 PK–12 · Emporia Unified School District 253 PK–12 |
All 3 neighbors share Emporia Unified School District 253 with Emporia, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Emporia
10 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 Emporia’s schools
Are Emporia’s schools good?
On Kansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Emporia children attend score below 75% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #132 of 151 Kansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 24%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Emporia in?
Emporia Unified School District 253, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,261 students in 8 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Emporia are served by Southern Lyon County Unified School District 252.
Where do Emporia kids go to high school?
Emporia High, with 1,494 students; its own test results earn a C.
What is Emporia’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in Emporia Unified School District 253 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas.
How much does Emporia spend per student?
$16,202 in Emporia Unified School District 253 (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Emporia?
Yes: Sacred Heart School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 101 students) and Emporia Christian School (religious, grades K–8, 73 students).
Parents talk
What Emporia families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Emporia → 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.