High Schools in Kansas City

The Kansas City, Kansas school district contains 7 high schools that serve students in grades 9-12. These schools face significant challenges, with most struggling to provide a quality education to their students. The standout school in the district is Sumner Academy of Arts & Science, a public magnet high school that consistently ranks among the top schools in the state and outperforms the district and state averages on academic measures.

The majority of the Kansas City high schools have very low proficiency rates in core subjects like English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science, with some schools reporting less than 10% of students meeting proficiency standards. These schools also serve high-poverty student populations, with 69% to 83% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Spending per student varies widely, ranging from $2,535 to $13,728, with most schools spending below the national average of $15,000 per student. Student-teacher ratios also differ significantly across the district, from 5.5 to 18.3 students per teacher.

The data highlights the significant challenges facing the Kansas City school district, particularly in terms of academic performance and socioeconomic factors. Addressing these issues will require a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to ensure that all students in the district have access to a high-quality education.