South Barber Unified School District 255

Public school districtGrades PK–12Regional · 9 towns

Serves Kiowa, Kiowa, Elwood, Hardtner, Township 2, Hazelton, Hazelton, Moore and Aetna, and parts of Eagle.

Students

198

Schools

Spent per student

$19,382

KS $14,966

Students per teacher

10:1

Free or reduced lunch

60%

The gist

What stands out about South Barber Unified School District 255

School Grade B: better than 62% of Kansas districts
Math proficiency 9 pts above the state
Graduation rate (4-year) 13 pts below the state
Spends 30% more per student than the KS average
10 students per teacher
Enrollment down 8.8% since 2020

Where would my kid go?

The school path for Walker.

PK–6Greeley ElemGarnett Unified School District 365

7–122 schoolsGarnett Unified School District 365

Test scores vs. KS

2020–21

Math proficiency37%

State average 27.9%

Reading / language arts32%

State average 35.5%

Graduation rate (4-year)75%

State average 88% · small group: the state reports 50–100%

Where the money goes

fiscal 2024

$19,382 per student · 30% above KS

Spending

Classroom instruction 56%Support & administration 37%Other 7%

Paid for by

Local (mostly property tax) 34%State 60%Federal 6%

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

Enrollment over time

217’20

221’21

216’22

217’23

198’24

Down 8.8% since 2020.

Students

White 91%Hispanic 5%Two or more races 2%Black 2%Asian <1%

Schools in the district

2 public schools.

South Barber Pre-K-6

Elementary · Grades PK–6 · Kiowa

A−

111 students14:1

South Barber 7-12

High · Grades 7–12 · Kiowa

87 students7:1

Towns served

Kiowa 915Kiowa 811Elwood 292Hardtner 216Township 2 162Hazelton 115Hazelton 103Moore 28 Aetna 5

Nearby districts

Compare spending and schools next door.

Barber County North Unified School District 254Deerhead, Lake City, Medicine Lodge

$17,142per student

Chaparral Schools Unified School District 361Township 1, Township 3

$17,375per student

Attica Unified School District 511Township 1

$18,056per student

Comanche County Unified School District 300Coldwater

$18,699per 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.