Ness County Schools & Education
Ness County, Kansas
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
63/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Midrange Signal
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
Percentile-style score
State avg 61/100
State Score Position
#52
of 105 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Ness County
Measured School Summary
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.
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.
School Data Brief
How to read Ness 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
5 public schools and 2 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
63/100
Mixed county signal. Ranks #52 of 105 Kansas counties with school score data.
Completion
90.0%
1.3 pts above the state average
Funding context
$8,711
$298 below the state average
School coverage
5
2 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
Ness County has 5 public schools across 2 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 Ness 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.
Small-system county
Ness County has a compact public-school footprint. A single school change, boundary rule, or district update can move the lived experience more than the county score suggests.
State position
#52
of 105 Kansas counties with school score data. The county score is 2 points above 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.
Ness City
Elementary and high visible
294 students
2 listed schools in this county slice.
Western Plains
Elementary and high visible
120 students
3 listed schools in this county slice.
District reality check
Western Plains is the largest listed district slice, with 3 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 Ness County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Ness County district systems?
Where do students transition after the visible grade band, and is that next school inside the same district path?
If we need a program not visible in the NCES flags, which district office can confirm current offerings?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Ness 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.
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.
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.
School Overview
Total Schools
5
in Ness County
Reported Enrollment
414
5 schools reporting
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Level Breakdown
2 School Districts in Ness County
Ness City
Western Plains
5 Public Schools in Ness 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 5 of 5 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ness City Elem | Record | Ness City | Ness City, 67560Rural: Remote | PK–6 | Primary | 167 |
| Ness City High | Record | Ness City | Ness City, 67560Rural: Remote | 7–12 | High | 127 |
| Western Plains North Elem | Record | Western Plains | Ransom, 67572Rural: Remote | PK–8 | Primary | 56 |
| Western Plains South Elem/Jr High | Record | Western Plains | Bazine, 67516Rural: Remote | PK–8 | Primary | 44 |
| Western Plains High | Record | Western Plains | Ransom, 67572Rural: Remote | 9–12 | High | 20 |
Western Plains South Elem/Jr High
Western Plains
Bazine, 67516 / Rural: Remote
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,711
State avg $9,009
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Ness 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 Ness County?
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.
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.
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.