Rice County Schools & Education
Rice County, Kansas
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
64/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
87.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.7%
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,973
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,009
School Score
64/100
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
#50
of 105 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Rice County
School Verdict
Rice County performs at an average level with a school score of 64/100 and a solid graduation rate of 87.4%.
Funding Context
Rice County spends $10,973 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 Rice County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 5% above the Kansas average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 22% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Rice County, Kansas
High-Quality Schools Across Four Districts
Rice County manages 11 public schools across four districts, serving a total of 1,492 students. The network is well-distributed with four elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools. This infrastructure ensures that families across the county have local access to every level of education.
Top-Tier School Scores and High Investment
Rice County earns an impressive 60.7 school score, well above the state average of 57.2. This success is backed by a generous $10,973 per-pupil expenditure, significantly higher than the state's $9,009 benchmark. The graduation rate of 87.4% aligns closely with national standards, reflecting a strong return on investment.
Lyons and Sterling Anchor the County
The Lyons district is the largest, educating 737 students across four schools. Sterling follows with a high-performing system, while the Little River and Chase-Raymond districts serve smaller populations of 284 and 145 students respectively. All 11 schools are traditional public institutions with no charter schools in the county.
Small Town Values and Rural Settings
Rice County offers a mix of seven rural and four town schools, with an average size of 136 students. Sterling Grade School is the largest campus at 260 students, while many other schools provide even smaller, more focused settings. This low average enrollment ensures high levels of student-teacher interaction across the county.
Secure Your Future Near Top-Rated Schools
With a school score of 60.7, Rice County is one of the strongest educational performers in the region. Real estate in the Sterling and Lyons districts offers families proximity to well-funded schools with high academic marks. Consider the local school's per-pupil investment as a leading indicator of community health when buying a home.
School Overview
Total Schools
11
in Rice County
Total Enrollment
1,492
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
4 School Districts in Rice County
Lyons
Sterling
Little River
Chase-Raymond
11 Public Schools in Rice County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling Grade School | Sterling | PK–6 | Primary | 260 |
| Sterling Junior High/Senior High | Sterling | 7–12 | High | 214 |
| Lyons High School | Lyons | 9–12 | High | 212 |
| Lyons Middle School | Lyons | 6–8 | Middle | 187 |
| Lyons Park Elementary | Lyons | PK–2 | Primary | 181 |
| Lyons Central Elementary | Lyons | 3–5 | Primary | 157 |
| Little River High | Little River | 9–12 | High | 96 |
| Chase Elem | Chase-Raymond | PK–5 | Primary | 68 |
| Chase High | Chase-Raymond | 9–12 | High | 44 |
| Little River Junior High | Little River | 7–8 | Middle | 40 |
| Raymond Jr High | Chase-Raymond | 6–8 | Middle | 33 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$10,973
State avg $9,009
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Rice County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Rice County?
How much does Rice County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Rice County, Kansas — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Rice County, Kansas?
Rice County manages 11 public schools across four districts, serving a total of 1,492 students. The network is well-distributed with four elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools. This infrastructure ensures that families across the county have local access to every level of education.
How do schools in Rice County perform academically?
Rice County earns an impressive 60.7 school score, well above the state average of 57.2. This success is backed by a generous $10,973 per-pupil expenditure, significantly higher than the state's $9,009 benchmark. The graduation rate of 87.4% aligns closely with national standards, reflecting a strong return on investment.
What are the major school districts in Rice County, Kansas?
The Lyons district is the largest, educating 737 students across four schools. Sterling follows with a high-performing system, while the Little River and Chase-Raymond districts serve smaller populations of 284 and 145 students respectively. All 11 schools are traditional public institutions with no charter schools in the county.
What is the school experience like in Rice County?
Rice County offers a mix of seven rural and four town schools, with an average size of 136 students. Sterling Grade School is the largest campus at 260 students, while many other schools provide even smaller, more focused settings. This low average enrollment ensures high levels of student-teacher interaction across the county.
How can I find homes near good schools in Rice County, Kansas?
With a school score of 60.7, Rice County is one of the strongest educational performers in the region. Real estate in the Sterling and Lyons districts offers families proximity to well-funded schools with high academic marks. Consider the local school's per-pupil investment as a leading indicator of community health when buying a home.
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.