Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Russell

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Main Street Russell Kansas 8-7-2009Photo: CGP Grey (http://www.cgpgrey.com/) · CC BY 2.0
C+
Schools in Russell · Russell County Unified School District 407

Russell’s public schools score below 56% of Kansas districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Russell, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Kansas, not nationally.

#104of 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
31%
▼ 2 pts vs KS 32%
2021–22
Math proficiency
28%
▼ 1 pts vs KS 29%
2021–22
Spent per student
$16.8K
▲ 12% vs KS $15.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
11.3
KS 13.3 · smaller classes
Schools in town
3
762 students on the public path
In brief

Russell’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 31% of tested students were proficient in reading and 28% in math, against 32% and 29% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $16,753 per student, against $14,966 across Kansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one middle school

From grade 2 the district’s path is Bickerdyke Elem, then Russell Junior-Senior High. Enrollment is up 21% 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Russell’s grade

B− Test scores

C+: better than 44% of Kansas school districts, #104 of 151 Kansas towns. Test scores are below the Kansas average; there is no graduation rate to add.

Kansas school districts we grade (283)Better than 44%
Lower resultsHigher results
Kansas towns with similar household incomes (732)Better than 42%
CBA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 408 test results could put Russell anywhere from C to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Russell’s students in the tested grades sat them (409 in math, 408 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–1Simpson ElemRussell County Unified School District 407No scores
2–6Bickerdyke ElemRussell County Unified School District 407B
7–12Russell Junior-Senior HighRussell County Unified School District 407D

Russell’s public schools are run by Russell County Unified School District 407, which also serves Big Creek, Bunker Hill, Center and Fairfield 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.

Russell County Unified School District 407Grades PK–12 · 3 schools · 762 students, up 21% since 2020–21 · 11.3 per teacher (KS 13.3)
$16,753KS $14,966 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading31%
State average 32.5% · 408 students tested
Math28%
State average 29.4% · 409 students tested

Russell vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
RussellC+Russell County Unified School District 407
Russell Township—Russell County Unified School District 407
Grant—Russell County Unified School District 407

All 2 neighbors share Russell County Unified School District 407 with Russell, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Russell

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 Russellby address
Simpson Elem
Elementary · Grades PK–1
173 students14:1Rate it →
Bickerdyke Elem
Elementary · Grades 2–6
B
261 students12:1Rate it →
Russell Junior-Senior High
High · Grades 7–12
D
328 students10:1Rate it →

Questions about Russell’s schools

Are Russell’s schools good?

On Kansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Russell children attend score below 56% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #104 of 151 Kansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 42%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Russell in?

Russell County Unified School District 407, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 762 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

How much does Russell spend per student?

$16,753 in Russell County Unified School District 407 (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Russell families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Russell → 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.