Masonic Temple · Photo: User:Smuckola · CC BY-SA 4.0Salina’s public schools score below 72% of Kansas districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 25% of Salina’s students scored proficient, below the Kansas average (29%). The grade covers the public school district serving Salina, 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.
Salina’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 32% and 29% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $20,224 per student, against $14,966 across Kansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Eight elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Mary Queen of the Universe School (private), Sacred Heart Jr.-Sr. High School (private) and Cornerstone Classical School (private) are in town. Salina Virtual Innovation Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Salina’s grade
C: better than 28% of Kansas school districts, #126 of 151 Kansas towns. Both inputs trail the Kansas average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Salina, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Salina · depends on your address
Salina South Middle
Grades 6–8 · 782 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Lakewood Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 647 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Salina · depends on your address
Salina South Middle
Grades 6–8 · 782 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Lakewood Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 647 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Salina · depends on your address
Salina South Middle
Grades 6–8 · 782 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Lakewood Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 647 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Salina · depends on your address
Salina High South
Grades 9–12 · 1,046 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Salina High Central
Grades 9–12 · 934 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Salina · depends on your address
Salina High South
Grades 9–12 · 1,046 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Salina High Central
Grades 9–12 · 934 students · 14:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Salina · depends on your address
Salina High South
Grades 9–12 · 1,046 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Salina High Central
Grades 9–12 · 934 students · 14:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Salina · depends on your address
Salina High South
Grades 9–12 · 1,046 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Salina High Central
Grades 9–12 · 934 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Salina’s public schools are run by Salina Unified School District 305, which also serves Cambria, Elm Creek, Greeley and Smoky Hill. Parts of Salina (4% and 4% of its land) are served by Smoky Valley Unified School District 400 and Southeast of Saline Unified School District 306 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.
Below the state in reading
Salina vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kansas towns that share Salina’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Salina | C | Salina Unified School District 305 |
| Greeley | — | Southeast of Saline Unified School District 306 PK–12 · Salina Unified School District 305 PK–12 |
| Smoky Hill | — | Salina Unified School District 305 PK–12 · Ell-Saline Unified School District 307 PK–12 |
| Smolan | — | Smoky Valley Unified School District 400 PK–12 · Southeast of Saline Unified School District 306 PK–12 |
| Elm Creek | — | Salina Unified School District 305 PK–12 · Ell-Saline Unified School District 307 PK–12 |
| Walnut | — | Southeast of Saline Unified School District 306 |
| Cambria | — | Salina Unified School District 305 PK–12 · Solomon Unified School District 393 PK–12 |
4 of the 6 neighbors share Salina Unified School District 305 with Salina, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Salina
16 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 Salina’s schools
Are Salina’s schools good?
On Kansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Salina children attend score below 72% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #126 of 151 Kansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 25%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Salina in?
Salina Unified School District 305, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 6,441 students in 13 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Salina are served by Smoky Valley Unified School District 400 and Southeast of Saline Unified School District 306.
Where do Salina kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Salina High South and Salina High Central.
What is Salina’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Salina Unified School District 305 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas.
How much does Salina spend per student?
$20,224 in Salina Unified School District 305 (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Salina?
Yes: St. Mary Queen of the Universe School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 333 students), Sacred Heart Jr.-Sr. High School (Catholic, grades 7–12, 191 students) and Cornerstone Classical School (religious, grades PK–12, 132 students).
Parents talk
What Salina families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Salina → 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.