John R. Wright House · Photo: SharonPapierdreams · CC BY-SA 4.0McPherson’s public schools score below 63% of Kansas districts on tests and graduation
24% of students in McPherson’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Kansas average (29%). The grade covers the public school district serving McPherson, 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 98% 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.
McPherson’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 31% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 32% and 29% statewide; 98% 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 McPherson’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $19,856 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 McPherson Middle School, then McPherson High. Enrollment is down 9% 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 McPherson’s grade
C+: better than 37% of Kansas school districts, #111 of 151 Kansas towns. Both inputs trail the Kansas average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve McPherson, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in McPherson
McPherson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 474 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in McPherson
McPherson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 474 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in McPherson
McPherson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 474 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in McPherson
McPherson High
Grades 9–12 · 658 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in McPherson
McPherson High
Grades 9–12 · 658 students · 12:1 students per teacher
11th grade in McPherson
McPherson High
Grades 9–12 · 658 students · 12:1 students per teacher
12th grade in McPherson
McPherson High
Grades 9–12 · 658 students · 12:1 students per teacher
McPherson’s public schools are run by McPherson Unified School District 418, which also serves Groveland, Harper, Jackson and King City 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.
Below the state in reading
McPherson vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kansas towns that share McPherson’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| McPherson | C+ | McPherson Unified School District 418 |
| McPherson Township | — | McPherson Unified School District 418 |
| King City | — | McPherson Unified School District 418 |
| Jackson | — | McPherson Unified School District 418 |
All 3 neighbors share McPherson Unified School District 418 with McPherson, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in McPherson
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 McPherson’s schools
Are McPherson’s schools good?
On Kansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools McPherson children attend score below 63% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #111 of 151 Kansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 35%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is McPherson in?
McPherson Unified School District 418, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,117 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do McPherson kids go to high school?
McPherson High, with 658 students; its own test results earn a C.
What is McPherson’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in McPherson Unified School District 418 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas.
How much does McPherson spend per student?
$19,856 in McPherson Unified School District 418 (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What McPherson families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near McPherson → 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.