B−

Independence Unified School District 446

Public school districtGrades PK–12Regional · 8 towns

Serves Independence, Independence Township, Sycamore Township, Louisburg Township, Drum Creek Township, Elk City, Rutland Township and West Cherry Township, and parts of Fawn Creek Township and Liberty Township.

Students

1,629

Schools

Spent per student

$14,088

KS $14,966

Students per teacher

13:1

Free or reduced lunch

74%

Debt

$27.8M

fiscal 2024

The gist

What stands out about Independence Unified School District 446

School Grade B−: better than 49% of Kansas districts
Spends 6% less per student than the KS average
13 students per teacher
Enrollment down 11.4% since 2020
Debt of $27.8M, about $17,072 per student

Where would my kid go?

The school path for Catlin Township.

PK–5Peabody-Burns ElementaryPeabody-Burns Unified School District 398

6–12Peabody-Burns Jr/Sr High SchoolPeabody-Burns Unified School District 398

Test scores vs. KS

2020–21

Math proficiency31%

State average 27.9%

Reading / language arts36%

State average 35.5%

Graduation rate (4-year)87%

State average 88%

Where the money goes

fiscal 2024

$14,088 per student · 6% below KS

Spending

Classroom instruction 63%Support & administration 32%Other 5%

Paid for by

Local (mostly property tax) 22%State 66%Federal 12%

U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances.

Enrollment over time

1,839’20

1,819’21

1,811’22

1,690’23

1,629’24

Down 11.4% since 2020.

Students

White 67%Hispanic 14%Two or more races 12%Black 4%American Indian/Alaska Native 2%Asian <1%Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander <1%

Schools in the district

5 public schools.

Jefferson School

Elementary · Grades 3–5 · Independence

A−

356 students14:1

Eisenhower Elem

Elementary · Grades PK–2 · Independence

323 students12:1

Independence Middle

Middle · Grades 6–8 · Independence

B−

376 students12:1

Independence Sr High

High · Grades 9–12 · Independence

C+

550 students13:1

BRIDGES Academy

High · Grades 6–12 · Independence

24 students

Towns served

Independence 8,422Independence Township 3,027Sycamore Township 1,028Louisburg Township 533Drum Creek Township 489Elk City 245Rutland Township 178West Cherry Township 83

Nearby districts

Compare spending and schools next door.

Coffeyville Unified School District 445Cherokee Township, Coffeyville, Parker Township

$14,533per student

Labette County Unified School District 506Canada Township, Mound Valley Township

$13,681per student

Caney Valley Unified School District 436Caney Township

$15,894per student

Cherryvale Unified School District 447Cherry Township

$16,337per student

District facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES directory and district boundaries) and the U.S. Census Bureau school finance survey. Test scores and graduation: EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Neighbor ratings are opinions.