Ness County Schools & Education
Ness County, Kansas
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
63/100
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
$8,711
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,009
School Score
63/100
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
#52
of 105 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Ness County
School Verdict
Ness County performs at an average level with a school score of 63/100 and a solid graduation rate of 90.0%.
Funding Context
Ness County spends $8,711 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 Ness County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 3% above the Kansas average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Ness County, Kansas
Intimate Schools for a Sparse Population
Ness County operates five public schools serving a total of 414 students across two districts. This compact infrastructure includes three elementary schools and two high schools, ensuring local access for rural families.
Meeting State Standards with Small Classes
The county maintains a 90.0% graduation rate, outperforming both the state average of 88.7% and the national average. Investment sits at $8,711 per pupil, which aligns closely with the state’s spending habits and earns a 57.2 school score.
Ness City and Western Plains Districts
Ness City is the larger district, serving 294 students, while Western Plains supports 120 students across three schools. No charter schools exist in the county, maintaining a focus on traditional public education.
The Essence of Rural Education
All five schools are strictly rural, with an average enrollment of just 83 students per building. While Ness City Elementary is the largest with 167 students, Western Plains High serves a tiny cohort of just 20 students.
Discover Peaceful Living in Ness
Ness County offers some of the smallest class sizes in Kansas, providing students with unparalleled individual attention. Explore local homes if you are looking for a quiet, supportive environment for your children's education.
School Overview
Total Schools
5
in Ness County
Total Enrollment
414
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Ness County
Ness City
Western Plains
5 Public Schools in Ness County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ness City Elem | Ness City | PK–6 | Primary | 167 |
| Ness City High | Ness City | 7–12 | High | 127 |
| Western Plains North Elem | Western Plains | PK–8 | Primary | 56 |
| Western Plains South Elem/Jr High | Western Plains | PK–8 | Primary | 44 |
| Western Plains High | Western Plains | 9–12 | High | 20 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,711
State avg $9,009
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Ness County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Ness County?
How much does Ness County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Ness County, Kansas — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Ness County, Kansas?
Ness County operates five public schools serving a total of 414 students across two districts. This compact infrastructure includes three elementary schools and two high schools, ensuring local access for rural families.
How do schools in Ness County perform academically?
The county maintains a 90.0% graduation rate, outperforming both the state average of 88.7% and the national average. Investment sits at $8,711 per pupil, which aligns closely with the state’s spending habits and earns a 57.2 school score.
What are the major school districts in Ness County, Kansas?
Ness City is the larger district, serving 294 students, while Western Plains supports 120 students across three schools. No charter schools exist in the county, maintaining a focus on traditional public education.
What is the school experience like in Ness County?
All five schools are strictly rural, with an average enrollment of just 83 students per building. While Ness City Elementary is the largest with 167 students, Western Plains High serves a tiny cohort of just 20 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Ness County, Kansas?
Ness County offers some of the smallest class sizes in Kansas, providing students with unparalleled individual attention. Explore local homes if you are looking for a quiet, supportive environment for your children's education.
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.