Smith County Schools & Education
Smith County, Kansas
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
86/100
Higher = better
Rating
High Performing
Graduation Rate
93.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
93.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.7%
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,403
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,009
School Score
86/100
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
#3
of 105 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Smith County
School Verdict
Smith County is a high-performing district with a school score of 86/100 and a graduation rate of 93.4%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.
Funding Context
Smith County spends $11,403 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 Smith County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 40% above the Kansas average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 4.7 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 27% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Smith County, Kansas
Excellent Outcomes in a Rural Setting
Smith County supports 566 students across four public schools, divided evenly between elementary and high school levels. One school district oversees the educational needs of this North Central Kansas community.
Top-Tier Graduation and High Investment
The county features an impressive 93.4% graduation rate, far exceeding the national 87.0% average. Investment is high, with per-pupil spending at $11,403, which is over $2,000 more than the Kansas state average.
Smith Center Schools Lead the Region
The Smith Center district is the largest, educating 453 students across its two campuses. Without any charter schools, the county maintains a focused commitment to its traditional rural public school system.
Small Schools with Big Impact
Every school in the county is classified as rural, with an average school size of only 142 students. Smith Center Elementary is the largest school with 259 students, while Thunder Ridge Elementary serves just 46 children in an intimate setting.
Invest in a High-Achieving Rural Lifestyle
With a composite school score of 64.8, Smith County offers some of the highest-rated education in the region. Families looking for academic excellence and high per-pupil investment should explore real estate in this district.
School Overview
Total Schools
4
in Smith County
Total Enrollment
566
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Smith County
Smith Center
4 Public Schools in Smith County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Center Elem | Smith Center | PK–6 | Primary | 259 |
| Smith Center Jr Sr High | Smith Center | 7–12 | High | 194 |
| THUNDER RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL | Thunder Ridge Schools | 9–12 | High | 67 |
| THUNDER RIDGE ELEMENTARY | Thunder Ridge Schools | KG–3 | Primary | 46 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$11,403
State avg $9,009
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Smith County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Smith County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Smith County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Smith County?
How much does Smith County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Smith County, Kansas — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Smith County, Kansas?
Smith County supports 566 students across four public schools, divided evenly between elementary and high school levels. One school district oversees the educational needs of this North Central Kansas community.
How do schools in Smith County perform academically?
The county features an impressive 93.4% graduation rate, far exceeding the national 87.0% average. Investment is high, with per-pupil spending at $11,403, which is over $2,000 more than the Kansas state average.
What are the major school districts in Smith County, Kansas?
The Smith Center district is the largest, educating 453 students across its two campuses. Without any charter schools, the county maintains a focused commitment to its traditional rural public school system.
What is the school experience like in Smith County?
Every school in the county is classified as rural, with an average school size of only 142 students. Smith Center Elementary is the largest school with 259 students, while Thunder Ridge Elementary serves just 46 children in an intimate setting.
How can I find homes near good schools in Smith County, Kansas?
With a composite school score of 64.8, Smith County offers some of the highest-rated education in the region. Families looking for academic excellence and high per-pupil investment should explore real estate in this district.
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.