Sunset Elementary

Summary:

Sunset Elementary is a public elementary school in Salina, Kansas, serving 387 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Salina school district, which is ranked 178 out of 266 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Sunset Elementary consistently ranks in the bottom half of Kansas elementary schools, with a ranking between 519-572 out of 653-670 schools over the past 7 years. The school's performance on state assessments (KAP) is significantly below the Salina district and Kansas state averages across all grades and subjects. For example, in 2023-2024, only 20.44% of Sunset students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 30.58% in Salina and 33.55% statewide. Sunset's performance is particularly low for certain student subgroups, such as White students (ranked 522-558 out of 579-596 schools) and Special Education students (ranked 294-247 out of 306-296 schools). The school also has a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 68.99% to 79.59% over the past 3 years, significantly higher than the state average.

Sunset Elementary's academic performance is consistently lower than the nearby Schilling Elementary, Meadowlark Ridge Elementary, and Heusner Elementary schools, which all have higher rankings and better test scores. However, Sunset's student-teacher ratio is lower than these nearby schools, suggesting that class size may not be a significant factor in the school's underperformance. The nearby Cottonwood Elementary School and Oakdale Elementary also struggle academically, with rankings and test scores similar to Sunset Elementary.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1510 W Republic
       Salina, KS  67401


(785) 309-4520

District: Salina

SchoolDigger Rank:
572nd of 653 Kansas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,870 Help


Students who attend Sunset Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Salina South Middle
High:    Salina High South

Student/teacher ratio:  11.7 Help
Number of students:  387

Racial breakdown:

White:
49.4%
Hispanic:
32.8%
Two or more races:
15.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  79.6% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Sunset Elementary ranks worse than 87.6% of elementary schools in Kansas. It also ranks last among 8 ranked elementary schools in the Salina School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 16.29. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Sunset Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (49.4%), Hispanic (32.8%), two or more races (15%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 79.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Sunset Elementary is 11.7, which is the 3rd best among 8 elementary schools in the Salina School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Sunset Elementary employs 32.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Sunset Elementary is $12,870, which is the 2nd highest among 8 elementary schools in the Salina School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Sunset Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Sunset Elementary 572nd of 653 Kansas public elementary schools. (See Sunset Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Salina:

SchoolDigger ranks Salina 178th of 266 Kansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Sunset Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 47.01 362nd 585 38.1%
2007 56.66 316th 600 47.3%
2008 43.55 431st 614 29.8%
2009 40.63 466th 621 25.0%
2010 36.88 496th 630 21.3%
2011 20.71 564th 631 10.6%
2012 41.17 500th 660 24.2%
2013 29.23 540th 668 19.2%
2015 29.22 530th 678 21.8%
2016 40.82 422nd 656 35.7%
2017 33.07 472nd 659 28.4%
2018 23.28 539th 656 17.8%
2019 20.41 558th 667 16.3%
2021 21.34 556th 670 17.0%
2022 27.48 519th 668 22.3%
2023 16.43 574th 660 13.0%
2024 16.29 572nd 653 12.4%
See the entire list of Kansas Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.68 99th 129 23.3%
See the entire list of Best Kansas Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.59 127th 140 9.3%
2019 35.66 126th 193 34.7%
2021 29.58 159th 214 25.7%
2022 19.65 274th 305 10.2%
2023 22.67 247th 296 16.6%
2024 14.85 294th 306 3.9%
See the entire list of Best Kansas Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 38.98 355th 512 30.7%
2019 36.60 353rd 509 30.6%
2021 42.04 304th 494 38.5%
2022 43.26 313th 512 38.9%
2023 29.13 423rd 541 21.8%
2024 27.48 449th 546 17.8%
See the entire list of Best Kansas Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.76 456th 574 20.6%
2019 18.68 505th 591 14.6%
2021 27.71 449th 591 24.0%
See the entire list of Best Kansas Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.59 127th 140 9.3%
2019 35.66 126th 193 34.7%
2021 29.58 159th 214 25.7%
See the entire list of Best Kansas Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 24.23 465th 575 19.1%
2019 26.37 459th 586 21.7%
2021 19.93 509th 605 15.9%
See the entire list of Best Kansas Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.74 82nd 207 60.4%
2019 34.15 166th 235 29.4%
2021 41.39 142nd 229 38.0%
2022 55.18 87th 254 65.7%
2023 31.71 186th 245 24.1%
2024 24.82 226th 260 13.1%
See the entire list of Best Kansas Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Sunset Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.76 529th 574 7.8%
2019 18.45 531st 592 10.3%
2021 18.04 533rd 587 9.2%
2022 17.97 532nd 596 10.7%
2023 11.29 558th 584 4.5%
2024 17.63 522nd 579 9.8%
See the entire list of Best Kansas Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Kansas State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Sunset Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Kansas State Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Sunset Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 366 46 19 18 0 n/a n/a 0 449
1989 360 53 20 17 0 n/a n/a 0 450
1990 382 43 13 21 9 n/a n/a 0 468
1991 352 51 32 29 0 n/a n/a 0 464
1992 362 49 19 28 0 n/a n/a 0 458
1993 337 71 18 33 0 n/a n/a 0 459
1994 318 68 14 23 1 n/a n/a 0 424
1995 319 58 16 32 5 n/a n/a 0 430
1996 319 58 16 32 5 n/a n/a 0 430
1997 302 55 23 36 3 n/a n/a 0 419
1998 306 52 28 51 2 n/a n/a 0 439
1999 285 35 28 74 3 n/a n/a 0 425
2000 304 31 21 86 3 n/a n/a 0 445
2001 287 40 15 97 4 n/a n/a 0 443
2002 251 41 24 116 5 n/a n/a 0 437
2003 251 41 24 116 5 n/a n/a 0 437
2004 247 27 16 97 6 n/a n/a 31 424
2005 219 32 16 91 4 n/a n/a 31 393
2006 243 43 16 101 4 n/a n/a 0 407
2007 227 47 12 113 4 n/a n/a 3 406
2008 209 60 12 127 1 n/a n/a 2 411
2009 194 44 16 124 0 n/a n/a 2 380
2010 199 20 11 142 6 0 39 0 417
2011 182 31 8 142 3 0 32 0 398
2012 191 17 9 97 1 1 21 0 337
2013 215 18 15 89 3 1 26 0 367
2014 212 22 19 112 1 0 47 0 413
2015 232 26 14 134 1 0 50 0 457
2016 222 16 18 142 0 0 52 0 450
2017 222 10 16 139 0 0 52 0 439
2018 233 10 15 142 0 0 44 0 444
2019 213 8 10 144 0 0 37 0 412
2020 215 8 7 132 0 0 43 0 405
2021 217 6 4 125 0 0 35 0 387
2022 194 6 3 106 0 0 49 0 358
2023 191 9 2 127 0 0 58 0 387

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Sunset Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 449 25.0 17.9 0
1989 450 25.0 18.0 n/a
1990 468 26.8 17.4 0
1991 464 26.7 17.3 n/a
1992 458 25.9 17.6 58.3
1993 459 27.1 16.9 46
1994 424 27.0 15.7 47.4
1995 430 26.0 16.5 59.5
1996 430 26.0 16.5 59.5
1997 419 26.8 15.6 59.9
1998 439 28.0 15.7 66.5
1999 425 29.0 14.7 59.5
2000 445 31.8 14.0 60.9
2001 443 30.8 14.4 69.3
2002 437 28.1 15.6 78.3
2003 437 28.1 15.6 78.3
2004 424 27.6 15.4 78.1
2005 393 26.9 14.6 78.2
2006 407 29.9 13.6 73
2007 406 32.9 12.3 77.2
2008 411 29.4 14.0 80
2009 380 29.8 12.8 83.1
2010 417 28.9 14.4 87.5
2011 398 30.2 13.1 86.4
2012 337 28.2 11.9 83.7
2013 367 27.4 13.3 80.4
2014 413 27.4 15.0 81.6
2015 457 31.0 14.7 79.9
2016 450 30.0 15.0 80.9
2017 439 34.2 12.8 80.2
2018 444 32.7 13.5 74.8
2019 412 32.7 12.5 69.9
2020 405 30.3 13.3 68.9
2021 387 30.6 12.6 72.1
2022 358 29.2 12.2 69
2023 387 32.8 11.7 79.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Sunset Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 449 25.0 17.9 0
1989 450 25.0 18.0 n/a
1990 468 26.8 17.4 0
1991 464 26.7 17.3 n/a
1992 458 25.9 17.6 58.3
1993 459 27.1 16.9 46
1994 424 27.0 15.7 47.4
1995 430 26.0 16.5 59.5
1996 430 26.0 16.5 59.5
1997 419 26.8 15.6 59.9
1998 439 28.0 15.7 66.5
1999 425 29.0 14.7 59.5
2000 445 31.8 14.0 60.9
2001 443 30.8 14.4 69.3
2002 437 28.1 15.6 78.3
2003 437 28.1 15.6 78.3
2004 424 27.6 15.4 78.1
2005 393 26.9 14.6 78.2
2006 407 29.9 13.6 73
2007 406 32.9 12.3 77.2
2008 411 29.4 14.0 80
2009 380 29.8 12.8 83.1
2010 417 28.9 14.4 87.5
2011 398 30.2 13.1 86.4
2012 337 28.2 11.9 83.7
2013 367 27.4 13.3 80.4
2014 413 27.4 15.0 81.6
2015 457 31.0 14.7 79.9
2016 450 30.0 15.0 80.9
2017 439 34.2 12.8 80.2
2018 444 32.7 13.5 74.8
2019 412 32.7 12.5 69.9
2020 405 30.3 13.3 68.9
2021 387 30.6 12.6 72.1
2022 358 29.2 12.2 69
2023 387 32.8 11.7 79.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Sunset Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $3,315 (25.8%) $9,555 (74.2%) $12,870

Data source: Kansas Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Sunset Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 558th of 667 Elementary schoolsRanks 574th of 660 Elementary schools
 3.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Sunset Elementary)27.418.7
 8.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Salina)27.931
 3.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Kansas)40.638.1
 2.5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Sunset Elementary)28.418.4
 10%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Salina)35.540.4
 4.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Kansas)50.350.4
 0.2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Sunset Elementary)2535.8
 10.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Salina)35.241.3
 6.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Kansas)47.642.8
 4.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Sunset Elementary)6.227.8
 21.5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Salina)23.539.4
 15.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Kansas)36.137.6
 1.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Sunset Elementary)35.115.5
 19.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Salina)38.333.4
 4.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Kansas)43.539.6
 4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Sunset Elementary)23.410.3
 13%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Salina)28.430.7
 2.4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Kansas)31.931.3
 0.6%
5th Grade Science (Sunset Elementary)35.115.5
 19.5%
   5th Grade Science (Salina)33.533.3
 0.2%
   5th Grade Science (Kansas)43.142.1
 1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students412387
 6.1%
African American89
 12.5%
American Indian00
Asian102
 80%
Hispanic144127
 11.8%
Pacific Islander00
White213191
 10.3%
Two or More Races3758
 56.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients69.9%79.6%
 9.7%


Schools Near Sunset Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Sunset Elementary

Sunset Elementary ranks in the bottom 12.4% of Kansas elementary schools.

Students at Sunset Elementary are 49% White, 33% Hispanic, 15% Two or more races, 2% African American.

In the 2022-23 school year, 387 students attended Sunset Elementary.

Students who attend Sunset Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Salina South Middle
High : Salina High South


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Kansas State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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