Photo: Ichabod · CC BY-SA 3.0Paola’s public schools outscore 74% of Kansas districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Paola, 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.
Paola’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 33% and math 32% in spring 2022, against 32% and 29% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $22,822 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 Sunflower Elem, then Paola Middle, then Paola High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Holy Trinity Catholic School (private) and Lakemary Center (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 Paola’s grade
B+: better than 74% of Kansas school districts, #45 of 151 Kansas towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Kansas average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Paola, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Paola
Cottonwood Elem
Grades PK–2 · 379 students · 14:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Paola
Sunflower Elem
Grades 3–5 · 373 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Paola
Sunflower Elem
Grades 3–5 · 373 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Paola
Sunflower Elem
Grades 3–5 · 373 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Paola
Paola Middle
Grades 6–8 · 413 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Paola
Paola Middle
Grades 6–8 · 413 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Paola
Paola Middle
Grades 6–8 · 413 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Paola
Paola High
Grades 9–12 · 567 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Paola
Paola High
Grades 9–12 · 567 students · 14:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Paola
Paola High
Grades 9–12 · 567 students · 14:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Paola
Paola High
Grades 9–12 · 567 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Paola’s public schools are run by Paola Unified School District 368, which also serves Marysville, Miami, Middle Creek and Paola 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.
Close to the state in reading
Paola vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kansas towns that share Paola’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Paola | B+ | Paola Unified School District 368 |
| Marysville | A− | Paola Unified School District 368 PK–12 · Spring Hill Unified School District 230 PK–12 |
| Valley | B− | Paola Unified School District 368 PK–12 · Osawatomie Unified School District 367 PK–12 |
All 2 neighbors share Paola Unified School District 368 with Paola, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Paola
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 Paola’s schools
Are Paola’s schools good?
By Kansas’s own tests, yes: the public schools Paola children attend outscore 74% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #45 of 151 Kansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 76%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Paola in?
Paola Unified School District 368, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,732 students in 4 schools (2024–25).
Where do Paola kids go to high school?
Paola High, with 567 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Paola’s graduation rate?
95–100% of the class of 2023 in Paola Unified School District 368 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas.
How much does Paola spend per student?
$22,822 in Paola Unified School District 368 (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Paola?
Yes: Holy Trinity Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 76 students) and Lakemary Center (special education, grades 3–12, 71 students).
Parents talk
What Paola families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Paola → 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.