Cherokee County Schools & Education
Cherokee County, Kansas
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
60/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Midrange Signal
Graduation Rate
89.3%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
89.3%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.7%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,589
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,009
School Score
60/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 61/100
State Score Position
#64
of 105 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Cherokee County
Measured School Summary
Cherokee County performs at an average level with a school score of 60/100 and a solid graduation rate of 89.3%.
Funding Context
Cherokee County spends $8,589 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 2% below the Kansas average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 0.6 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% lower than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Cherokee County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
16 public schools and 4 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
60/100
Mixed county signal. Ranks #64 of 105 Kansas counties with school score data.
Completion
89.3%
0.6 pts above the state average
Funding context
$8,589
$420 below the state average
School coverage
16
4 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
This county needs a closer look at district mix, school level, and local context. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Cherokee County has 16 public schools across 4 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Cherokee County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Mixed school landscape
Cherokee County has enough school-level records to compare the local mix, but no single county metric should be treated as the answer. Use district shape, grade span, and data coverage together.
State position
#64
of 105 Kansas counties with school score data. The county score is 1 points below the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
Columbus
Elementary to high school visible
942 students
4 listed schools in this county slice.
Baxter Springs
Elementary and high visible
893 students
4 listed schools in this county slice.
Galena
Elementary to high school visible
820 students
4 listed schools in this county slice.
Riverton
Elementary to high school visible
704 students
3 listed schools in this county slice.
District reality check
Baxter Springs is the largest listed district slice, with 4 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Cherokee County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Cherokee County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Cherokee County, Kansas
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
A Robust Regional School System
Cherokee County features a diverse network of 16 public schools including eight elementary, three middle, and five high schools. Four school districts serve a total student population of 3,517 across the county.
High Graduation Rates and Efficient Spending
The county maintains an 89.3% graduation rate, which is higher than both the Kansas and national averages. While the per-pupil expenditure of $8,589 is lower than the state average, the county continues to produce competitive results.
Major Districts Lead the Way
The Columbus district is the largest with 942 students, closely followed by Baxter Springs with 893 students. The county's 16 schools are all traditional public institutions, as there are no charter schools currently operating.
A Town-Centered Educational Experience
Fifteen of the county's 16 schools are located in town settings, creating a central hub for community life. Enrollment ranges from 423 students at Columbus Junior High and High School to 247 at Lincoln Elementary.
School Overview
Total Schools
16
in Cherokee County
Reported Enrollment
3,517
16 schools reporting
School Districts
4
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Level Breakdown
4 School Districts in Cherokee County
Columbus
Baxter Springs
Galena
Riverton
16 Public Schools in Cherokee County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Every NCES public school remains listed here; no school-level profile pages are included in the current generated coverage for this county.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 16 of 16 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Junior High and High School | Record | Columbus | Columbus, 66725Town: Distant | 7–12 | High | 423 |
| Baxter Springs High | Record | Baxter Springs | Baxter Springs, 66713Town: Fringe | 7–12 | High | 389 |
| Riverton Elem | Record | Riverton | Riverton, 66770Town: Fringe | PK–5 | Primary | 311 |
| Galena High | Record | Galena | Galena, 66739Town: Fringe | 9–12 | High | 251 |
| Lincoln Elem | Record | Baxter Springs | Baxter Springs, 66713Town: Fringe | PK–2 | Primary | 247 |
| Riverton High | Record | Riverton | Riverton, 66770Town: Fringe | 9–12 | High | 223 |
| Central Elem | Record | Baxter Springs | Baxter Springs, 66713Town: Fringe | 3–6 | Primary | 216 |
| Spring Grove Primary Center | Record | Galena | Galena, 66739Town: Fringe | PK–2 | Primary | 213 |
| Park Elem | Record | Columbus | Columbus, 66725Town: Distant | PK–1 | Primary | 201 |
| Liberty Elem | Record | Galena | Galena, 66739Town: Fringe | 3–5 | Primary | 192 |
| Central Elem | Record | Columbus | Columbus, 66725Town: Distant | 4–6 | Middle | 188 |
| Riverton Middle | Record | Riverton | Riverton, 66770Town: Fringe | 6–8 | Middle | 170 |
| Galena Middle School | Record | Galena | Galena, 66739Town: Fringe | 6–8 | Middle | 164 |
| Southeast Elementary School | Record | Cherokee | Weir, 66781Rural: Distant | PK–4 | Primary | 158 |
| Highland Elem | Record | Columbus | Columbus, 66725Town: Distant | 2–3 | Primary | 130 |
| USD 508 eAcademy | Record | Baxter Springs | Baxter Springs, 66713Town: Fringe | 6–12 | Virtual | 41 |
Columbus Junior High and High School
Columbus
Columbus, 66725 / Town: Distant
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,589
State avg $9,009
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Cherokee County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which Kansas counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in Kansas?
How should I read the school score in Cherokee County?
What is the graduation rate in Cherokee County?
How much does Cherokee County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Cherokee County, Kansas — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Cherokee County, Kansas?
Cherokee County features a diverse network of 16 public schools including eight elementary, three middle, and five high schools. Four school districts serve a total student population of 3,517 across the county.
How do schools in Cherokee County perform academically?
The county maintains an 89.3% graduation rate, which is higher than both the Kansas and national averages. While the per-pupil expenditure of $8,589 is lower than the state average, the county continues to produce competitive results.
What are the major school districts in Cherokee County, Kansas?
The Columbus district is the largest with 942 students, closely followed by Baxter Springs with 893 students. The county's 16 schools are all traditional public institutions, as there are no charter schools currently operating.
What is the school experience like in Cherokee County?
Fifteen of the county's 16 schools are located in town settings, creating a central hub for community life. Enrollment ranges from 423 students at Columbus Junior High and High School to 247 at Lincoln Elementary.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.