Ford County Schools & Education
Ford County, Kansas
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
52/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
90.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
90.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.7%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,563
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,009
School Score
52/100
Higher = better
State avg 61/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#77
of 105 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Ford County
School Verdict
Ford County performs at an average level with a school score of 52/100 and a solid graduation rate of 90.0%.
Funding Context
At $7,563 per pupil, Ford County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Ford County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 14% below the Kansas average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 16% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Ford County, Kansas
Historic Dodge City Leads the Way
Ford County operates 15 public schools across 3 districts, providing education for 7,801 students. The county is anchored by 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools. This network serves as a critical academic foundation for the Dodge City area and surrounding rural towns.
Beating State and National Averages
The county achieves a strong 90.0% graduation rate, surpassing both the Kansas average of 88.7% and the national mark of 87%. It maintains a school score of 54.7, just under the state average of 57.2. These results are achieved with lean spending of $7,563 per pupil, which is significantly lower than the national average.
Dodge City District Dominates Enrollment
The Dodge City school district is the largest, enrolling 7,233 students across 11 schools. Spearville and Bucklin districts offer smaller environments, serving 342 and 226 students respectively. There are currently no charter schools in Ford County, as traditional districts provide all public schooling.
A Mix of Large Town Hubs
With 8 town-based schools and 7 rural ones, the county has a balanced locale mix and an average school size of 520 students. Dodge City High School is the largest campus with 2,084 students, while Miller Elementary also maintains a large population of 774. This gives the county a high-energy, bustling school atmosphere compared to its neighbors.
Plant Roots Near High-Performing Schools
With a 90% graduation rate, Ford County is an excellent choice for homebuyers who value proven academic outcomes. The schools in Dodge City offer the resources of a larger system, while Spearville and Bucklin provide quiet, smaller alternatives. Explore homes here to give your children an edge in a high-performing Kansas district.
School Overview
Total Schools
15
in Ford County
Total Enrollment
7,801
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Ford County
Dodge City
Spearville
Bucklin
15 Public Schools in Ford County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge City High School | Dodge City | 9–12 | High | 2,084 |
| Dodge City Middle School | Dodge City | 6–8 | Middle | 809 |
| Comanche Middle School | Dodge City | 6–8 | Middle | 795 |
| Miller Elem | Dodge City | PK–5 | Primary | 774 |
| Ross Elementary School | Dodge City | KG–5 | Primary | 498 |
| Soule Elementary School | Dodge City | KG–5 | Primary | 403 |
| Northwest Elem | Dodge City | KG–5 | Primary | 392 |
| Sunnyside Elem | Dodge City | PK–5 | Primary | 386 |
| Linn Elementary | Dodge City | KG–5 | Primary | 367 |
| Beeson Elementary | Dodge City | KG–5 | Primary | 365 |
| Central Elem | Dodge City | KG–5 | Primary | 360 |
| Spearville Elem | Spearville | PK–5 | Primary | 174 |
| Spearville Jr/Sr High | Spearville | 6–12 | High | 168 |
| Bucklin Elem | Bucklin | PK–8 | Primary | 155 |
| Bucklin High | Bucklin | 9–12 | High | 71 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,563
State avg $9,009
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Ford County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Ford County?
How much does Ford County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Ford County, Kansas — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Ford County, Kansas?
Ford County operates 15 public schools across 3 districts, providing education for 7,801 students. The county is anchored by 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools. This network serves as a critical academic foundation for the Dodge City area and surrounding rural towns.
How do schools in Ford County perform academically?
The county achieves a strong 90.0% graduation rate, surpassing both the Kansas average of 88.7% and the national mark of 87%. It maintains a school score of 54.7, just under the state average of 57.2. These results are achieved with lean spending of $7,563 per pupil, which is significantly lower than the national average.
What are the major school districts in Ford County, Kansas?
The Dodge City school district is the largest, enrolling 7,233 students across 11 schools. Spearville and Bucklin districts offer smaller environments, serving 342 and 226 students respectively. There are currently no charter schools in Ford County, as traditional districts provide all public schooling.
What is the school experience like in Ford County?
With 8 town-based schools and 7 rural ones, the county has a balanced locale mix and an average school size of 520 students. Dodge City High School is the largest campus with 2,084 students, while Miller Elementary also maintains a large population of 774. This gives the county a high-energy, bustling school atmosphere compared to its neighbors.
How can I find homes near good schools in Ford County, Kansas?
With a 90% graduation rate, Ford County is an excellent choice for homebuyers who value proven academic outcomes. The schools in Dodge City offer the resources of a larger system, while Spearville and Bucklin provide quiet, smaller alternatives. Explore homes here to give your children an edge in a high-performing Kansas district.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.