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Schools in West Plains Township · Kismet-Plains Unified School District 483

West Plains Township’s public schools score below 99% of Kansas districts on tests and graduation

13% of students in West Plains Township’s public schools are proficient in reading, below the Kansas average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving West Plains Township, 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.

K–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
13%
▼ 20 pts vs KS 32%
2021–22
Math proficiency
12%
▼ 17 pts vs KS 29%
2021–22
Spent per student
$18.0K
▲ 20% vs KS $15.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
10.5
KS 13.3 · smaller classes
Schools in town
1
575 students on the public path
In brief

West Plains Township’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 13% of tested students were proficient in reading and 12% 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 $17,990 per student, against $14,966 across Kansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary and one middle school

From grade 3 the district’s path is Plains Elem, then Southwestern Heights Jr/Sr High. Enrollment is down 5% 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 West Plains Township’s grade

D− Test scores

D−: better than 1% of Kansas school districts. Test scores are below the Kansas average; there is no graduation rate to add.

Kansas school districts we grade (283)Better than 1%
Lower resultsHigher results
Kansas towns with similar household incomes (859)Better than 2%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 294 test results wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of West Plains Township’s students in the tested grades sat them (296 in math, 291 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–2Kismet Elemin KismetNo scores
3–5Plains ElemKismet-Plains Unified School District 483C−
6–12Southwestern Heights Jr/Sr Highin KismetD−

West Plains Township’s public schools are run by Kismet-Plains Unified School District 483, which also serves Cimarron, Fargo, Kismet and Mertilla and others. Parts of West Plains Township (17% of its land) are served by Meade Unified School District 226 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.

Kismet-Plains Unified School District 483Grades PK–12 · 3 schools · 575 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 10.5 per teacher (KS 13.3)
$17,990KS $14,966 · FY2024
D−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading13%
State average 32.5% · 291 students tested
Math12%
State average 29.4% · 296 students tested

West Plains Township vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Kansas towns that share West Plains Township’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
West Plains TownshipD−Kismet-Plains Unified School District 483
Mertilla—Meade Unified School District 226 PK–12 · Kismet-Plains Unified School District 483 PK–12
Cimarron—Kismet-Plains Unified School District 483 PK–12 · Meade Unified School District 226 PK–12
Meade CenterAMeade Unified School District 226

2 of the 3 neighbors share Kismet-Plains Unified School District 483 with West Plains Township, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in West Plains Township

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 West Plains Townshipby address
Plains Elem
Elementary · Grades 3–5 · Plains
C−
113 students9:1Rate it →
Also serving West Plains Townshipin other towns
Kismet Elem
Elementary · Grades PK–2 · Kismet
152 students11:1Rate it →
Southwestern Heights Jr/Sr High
High · Grades 6–12 · Kismet
D−
310 students11:1Rate it →

Questions about West Plains Township’s schools

Are West Plains Township’s schools good?

On Kansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools West Plains Township children attend score below 99% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 2%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is West Plains Township in?

Kismet-Plains Unified School District 483, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 575 students in 3 schools (2024–25). Small parts of West Plains Township are served by Meade Unified School District 226.

How much does West Plains Township spend per student?

$17,990 in Kismet-Plains Unified School District 483 (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What West Plains Township families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near West Plains Township → 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.