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Memorial Hall, Independence, KSPhoto: 25or6to4 · CC BY-SA 4.0
C+
Schools in Independence · Independence Unified School District 446

Independence’s public schools score below 61% of Kansas districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Independence, 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.

#107of 151 Kansas townsK–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
32%
▼ 0 pts vs KS 32%
2021–22
Math proficiency
31%
▲ 2 pts vs KS 29%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 4–8 pts vs KS 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.1K
▼ 6% vs KS $15.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.7
KS 13.3 · smaller classes
Schools in town
6
1,605 students on the public path
In brief

Independence’s schools, in brief

Above the state in math, below in reading

Reading proficiency is 32% and math 31% in spring 2022, against 32% and 29% statewide; 80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,088 per student, against $14,966 across Kansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 3 the district’s path is Jefferson School, then Independence Middle, then Independence Sr High. Enrollment is down 11% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Andrew Catholic School (private) and Zion Lutheran 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Independence’s grade

B Test scoresD Graduation

C+: better than 39% of Kansas school districts, #107 of 151 Kansas towns. Test scores are above the Kansas average; graduation is below it.

Kansas school districts we grade (283)Better than 39%
Lower resultsHigher results
Kansas towns with similar household incomes (589)Better than 38%
CBA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 973 test results and a graduating class of 146 could put Independence anywhere from C to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Independence’s students in the tested grades sat them (989 in math, 957 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–2Eisenhower ElemIndependence Unified School District 446No scores
3–5Jefferson SchoolIndependence Unified School District 446A−
6–8Independence MiddleIndependence Unified School District 446B−
9–12Independence Sr HighIndependence Unified School District 446C+

Independence’s public schools are run by Independence Unified School District 446, which also serves Drum Creek, Elk City, Independence and Louisburg 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.

Independence Unified School District 446Grades PK–12 · 5 schools · 1,629 students, down 11% since 2020–21 · 12.7 per teacher (KS 13.3)
$14,088KS $14,966 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Close to the state in reading

Reading32%
State average 32.5% · 957 students tested
Math31%
State average 29.4% · 989 students tested

Independence vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
IndependenceC+Independence Unified School District 446
Sycamore—Independence Unified School District 446 PK–12 · Neodesha Unified School District 461 PK–12
Drum Creek—Cherryvale Unified School District 447 PK–12 · Independence Unified School District 446 PK–12

All 2 neighbors share Independence Unified School District 446 with Independence, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Independence

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).

District schools in Independenceby address
Eisenhower Elem
Elementary · Grades PK–2
323 students12:1Rate it →
Jefferson School
Elementary · Grades 3–5
A−
356 students14:1Rate it →
Independence Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
376 students12:1Rate it →
Independence Sr High
High · Grades 9–12
C+
550 students13:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Andrew Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
115 students14:1Rate it →
Zion Lutheran School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
50 students10:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (BRIDGES Academy).

Questions about Independence’s schools

Are Independence’s schools good?

On Kansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Independence children attend score below 61% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #107 of 151 Kansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 38%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Independence in?

Independence Unified School District 446, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,629 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Independence kids go to high school?

Independence Sr High, with 550 students; its own test results earn a C+.

What is Independence’s graduation rate?

80–84% of the class of 2023 in Independence Unified School District 446 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas.

How much does Independence spend per student?

$14,088 in Independence Unified School District 446 (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Independence?

Yes: St. Andrew Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 115 students) and Zion Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 50 students).

Parents talk

What Independence families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Independence → 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.