Photo: Srudisell · CC BY-SA 4.0Topeka’s public schools score below 66% of Kansas districts on tests and graduation
25% of students in Topeka’s public schools are proficient in reading, below the Kansas average (32%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Topeka, 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.
Topeka’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 25% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 32% and 29% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Topeka Public Schools Unified School District 501 spends $16,981 per student and Auburn-Washburn Unified School District 437 $13,052, against $14,966 across Kansas (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Hope Street Charter Academy, Cair Paravel Latin School (private), Most Pure Heart of Mary School (private), Hayden Catholic High School (private), Christ the King School (private), Heritage Christian School (private), Mater Dei Catholic School (private), Topeka Collegiate School (private), St. Matthew Catholic School (private) and Topeka Adventist School (private) are in town. Topeka Virtual School, 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 Topeka’s grade
C: better than 34% of Kansas school districts, #117 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 Topeka, with each school’s own grade.
Topeka runs its own schools through grade 12 (Topeka Public Schools Unified School District 501). From grade PK, students attend the Auburn-Washburn Unified School District 437, shared with Auburn, Auburn, Mission, Topeka and Williamsport. Parts of Topeka (13% and 9% of its land) are served by Seaman Unified School District 345 and Shawnee Heights Unified School District 450 instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Topeka
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Topeka vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kansas towns that share Topeka’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Topeka | C | Topeka Public Schools Unified School District 501 PK–12 · Auburn-Washburn Unified School District 437 PK–12 |
| Mission | B+ | Auburn-Washburn Unified School District 437 |
| Topeka Township | — | Shawnee Heights Unified School District 450 PK–12 · Auburn-Washburn Unified School District 437 PK–12 |
| Tecumseh | B | Shawnee Heights Unified School District 450 |
| Soldier | B+ | Seaman Unified School District 345 |
| Williamsport | B+ | Auburn-Washburn Unified School District 437 PK–12 · Shawnee Heights Unified School District 450 PK–12 |
| Menoken | A− | Silver Lake Unified School District 372 PK–12 · Seaman Unified School District 345 PK–12 |
3 of the 6 neighbors share Auburn-Washburn Unified School District 437 with Topeka for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Topeka
37 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).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Meadows Elementary and Capital City). 1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Topeka’s schools
Are Topeka’s schools good?
On Kansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Topeka children attend score below 66% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #117 of 151 Kansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 31%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Topeka in?
Two districts: Topeka Public Schools Unified School District 501 runs grades PK–12, and Auburn-Washburn Unified School District 437 runs grades PK–12, shared with Auburn, Auburn, Mission, Topeka and Williamsport.
Where do Topeka kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Topeka High, Topeka West High, Highland Park High and Avondale Academy.
What is Topeka’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Topeka Public Schools Unified School District 501 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas.
How much does Topeka spend per student?
$16,981 in Topeka Public Schools Unified School District 501 and $13,052 in Auburn-Washburn Unified School District 437 (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Topeka?
Yes: Cair Paravel Latin School (religious, grades PK–12, 464 students), Most Pure Heart of Mary School (Catholic, grades K–8, 367 students), Hayden Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 321 students), Christ the King School (Catholic, grades K–8, 230 students), Heritage Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 157 students), Mater Dei Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 137 students), Topeka Collegiate School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 137 students), St. Matthew Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–8, 136 students) and Topeka Adventist School (religious, grades 1–7, 7 students). Topeka also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Topeka families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Topeka → 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.