Jefferson County Schools & Education
Jefferson County, Kansas
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
70/100
Higher = better
Rating
High Performing
Graduation Rate
91.5%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
91.5%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.7%
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,044
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,009
School Score
70/100
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
#31
of 105 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Jefferson County
School Verdict
Jefferson County is a high-performing district with a school score of 70/100 and a graduation rate of 91.5%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.
Funding Context
Jefferson County spends $9,044 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 Jefferson County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 15% above the Kansas average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 2.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 0% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Jefferson County, Kansas
Broad Educational Reach Across Jefferson County
Jefferson County supports 3,159 students through a network of 14 public schools. The infrastructure includes five elementary, three middle, and six high schools managed by five different districts. This decentralized system ensures local control and community-specific school identities.
Strong Outcomes with Efficient Spending
Students here achieve a 91.5% graduation rate, easily beating the national benchmark of 87%. The county’s school score of 58.7 also exceeds the Kansas average of 57.2. Per-pupil spending sits at $9,044, placing the county right in line with the state average of $9,009.
A Multi-District Approach to Public Learning
Jefferson West is the largest district, serving 827 students, followed by Oskaloosa Public Schools with 553 students and McLouth with 453. There are no charter schools in the county, as families rely on the five diverse public districts. Each district offers unique programs tailored to its specific rural community.
Pure Rural Learning on a Human Scale
All 14 public schools in the county are located in rural areas, maintaining a consistent regional character. The average school size is 226 students, with Jefferson County North Elem/Middle being the largest at 325 students. Schools like Perry Lecompton High provide a familiar environment where students and staff are closely connected.
Root Your Family in Jefferson County
Jefferson County is ideal for those seeking high-performing rural schools with a track record of success. With graduation rates well above the national average, the area is a smart choice for home buyers. Look for properties within these five districts to give your children a head start.
School Overview
Total Schools
14
in Jefferson County
Total Enrollment
3,159
students
School Districts
5
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
5 School Districts in Jefferson County
Jefferson West
Oskaloosa Public Schools
McLouth
Jefferson County North
Valley Falls
14 Public Schools in Jefferson County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County North Elem/Middle | Jefferson County North | PK–8 | Primary | 325 |
| Jefferson West Elementary School | Jefferson West | PK–4 | Primary | 307 |
| Oskaloosa Elem | Oskaloosa Public Schools | PK–6 | Primary | 293 |
| Valley Falls Elem | Valley Falls | PK–8 | Primary | 284 |
| Perry Lecompton High | Perry Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 279 |
| Jefferson West Middle | Jefferson West | 5–8 | Middle | 262 |
| Oskaloosa JR-SR High School | Oskaloosa Public Schools | 7–12 | High | 260 |
| Jefferson West High | Jefferson West | 9–12 | High | 258 |
| McLouth Elem | McLouth | PK–5 | Primary | 237 |
| Perry-Lecompton Middle | Perry Public Schools | 5–8 | Middle | 207 |
| McLouth High | McLouth | 9–12 | High | 124 |
| Valley Falls High | Valley Falls | 9–12 | High | 116 |
| Jefferson Co North High | Jefferson County North | 9–12 | High | 115 |
| McLouth Middle | McLouth | 6–8 | Middle | 92 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$9,044
State avg $9,009
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Jefferson County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Jefferson County?
How much does Jefferson County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Jefferson County, Kansas — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Jefferson County, Kansas?
Jefferson County supports 3,159 students through a network of 14 public schools. The infrastructure includes five elementary, three middle, and six high schools managed by five different districts. This decentralized system ensures local control and community-specific school identities.
How do schools in Jefferson County perform academically?
Students here achieve a 91.5% graduation rate, easily beating the national benchmark of 87%. The county’s school score of 58.7 also exceeds the Kansas average of 57.2. Per-pupil spending sits at $9,044, placing the county right in line with the state average of $9,009.
What are the major school districts in Jefferson County, Kansas?
Jefferson West is the largest district, serving 827 students, followed by Oskaloosa Public Schools with 553 students and McLouth with 453. There are no charter schools in the county, as families rely on the five diverse public districts. Each district offers unique programs tailored to its specific rural community.
What is the school experience like in Jefferson County?
All 14 public schools in the county are located in rural areas, maintaining a consistent regional character. The average school size is 226 students, with Jefferson County North Elem/Middle being the largest at 325 students. Schools like Perry Lecompton High provide a familiar environment where students and staff are closely connected.
How can I find homes near good schools in Jefferson County, Kansas?
Jefferson County is ideal for those seeking high-performing rural schools with a track record of success. With graduation rates well above the national average, the area is a smart choice for home buyers. Look for properties within these five districts to give your children a head start.
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.