Franklin County Schools & Education

Franklin County, Kansas

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

61/100

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

$8,460

National avg $13,239

State avg $9,009

School Score

61/100

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

#59

of 105 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Franklin County

School Verdict

Franklin County performs at an average level with a school score of 61/100 and a solid graduation rate of 90.0%.

Funding Context

Franklin County spends $8,460 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Franklin County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 0% above the Kansas average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Franklin County, Kansas

A Broad Network of Local Districts

Franklin County features 15 public schools spread across 4 school districts, serving 4,346 students. The system is well-distributed with 7 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 5 high schools. This layout ensures that families throughout the county have accessible local options for every grade level.

Strong Graduation Success Rates

Franklin County excels with a 90.0% graduation rate, outperforming both state and national averages. The county's school score of 56.7 is nearly identical to the Kansas state average of 57.2. Spending is maintained at $8,460 per pupil, reflecting an efficient use of resources to achieve high completion rates.

Ottawa Leads Four Key Districts

The Ottawa district is the largest, managing 6 schools and 2,344 students, followed by Wellsville with 843 students. West Franklin and other smaller districts serve the remaining rural student population. No charter schools are in operation, with traditional districts providing 100% of the public education services.

Rural Roots with Town Centers

The county has a strong rural identity, with 10 rural schools and 5 town-based campuses. Ottawa Sr High is the largest school with 727 students, while the average school size across the county remains modest at 290 students. This creates a learning environment that feels personal while still offering town-center resources.

Make the Move to Quality Education

High graduation rates make Franklin County an attractive destination for families looking to settle in East Central Kansas. Whether you choose the town life of Ottawa or the rural charm of Wellsville, the schools are proven to deliver results. Find your home here and join a community that puts student success first.

School Overview

Total Schools

15

in Franklin County

Total Enrollment

4,346

students

School Districts

4

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary7
Middle3
High5
Other0

4 School Districts in Franklin County

Ottawa

6 schools
2,344 students

Wellsville

3 schools
843 students

West Franklin

4 schools
618 students

Central Heights

2 schools
541 students

15 Public Schools in Franklin County

Ottawa Sr High

Ottawa

6–12High727 students
Ottawa Middle School

Ottawa

6–8Middle498 students
Wellsville Elem

Wellsville

PK–5Primary398 students
Garfield Elem

Ottawa

PK–5Primary387 students
Lincoln Elem

Ottawa

PK–5Primary360 students
Sunflower Elementary School

Ottawa

PK–5Primary359 students
Central Heights High

Central Heights

6–12High294 students
Wellsville High

Wellsville

9–12High259 students
Central Heights Elem

Central Heights

PK–5Primary247 students
West Franklin High School

West Franklin

9–12High204 students
Wellsville Middle School

Wellsville

6–8Middle186 students
Appanoose Elementary School

West Franklin

PK–5Primary177 students
West Franklin Middle School

West Franklin

6–8Middle135 students
Williamsburg Elementary School

West Franklin

PK–5Primary102 students
Ottawa Virtual School

Ottawa

6–12High13 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$8,460

State avg $9,009

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Franklin County rate?
Franklin County has a school score of 61/100, which is considered average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Franklin County?
The high school graduation rate in Franklin County is 90.0%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Franklin County spend per student?
Franklin County spends $8,460 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Franklin County, Kansas — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Franklin County, Kansas?

Franklin County features 15 public schools spread across 4 school districts, serving 4,346 students. The system is well-distributed with 7 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 5 high schools. This layout ensures that families throughout the county have accessible local options for every grade level.

How do schools in Franklin County perform academically?

Franklin County excels with a 90.0% graduation rate, outperforming both state and national averages. The county's school score of 56.7 is nearly identical to the Kansas state average of 57.2. Spending is maintained at $8,460 per pupil, reflecting an efficient use of resources to achieve high completion rates.

What are the major school districts in Franklin County, Kansas?

The Ottawa district is the largest, managing 6 schools and 2,344 students, followed by Wellsville with 843 students. West Franklin and other smaller districts serve the remaining rural student population. No charter schools are in operation, with traditional districts providing 100% of the public education services.

What is the school experience like in Franklin County?

The county has a strong rural identity, with 10 rural schools and 5 town-based campuses. Ottawa Sr High is the largest school with 727 students, while the average school size across the county remains modest at 290 students. This creates a learning environment that feels personal while still offering town-center resources.

How can I find homes near good schools in Franklin County, Kansas?

High graduation rates make Franklin County an attractive destination for families looking to settle in East Central Kansas. Whether you choose the town life of Ottawa or the rural charm of Wellsville, the schools are proven to deliver results. Find your home here and join a community that puts student success first.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.