For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 3,373 students in Cherokee County, KS.
The top-ranked public schools in Cherokee County, KS are Central Elementary School, Southeast Elementary School and Galena Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cherokee County, KS public schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Kansas public school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 33% statewide average). Schools in Cherokee County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Kansas public schools.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Kansas public school average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Cherokee County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1501 Park Ave
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3311
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3311
Gr: 3-6 | 223 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #22.
Southeast Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
303 S Humbert
Weir, KS 66781
(620) 396-8211
Weir, KS 66781
(620) 396-8211
Gr: PK-4 | 149 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #33.
Galena Middle School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
624 East 8th Street
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Gr: 6-8 | 174 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #44.
Riverton Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7166 Se 70th
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-4078
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-4078
Gr: PK-5 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #55.
Liberty Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
624 E. 8th Street
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Gr: 3-5 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #66.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
810 S High School Avenue
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3943
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3943
Gr: 2-6 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #77.
Baxter Springs High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 N Military
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3366
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3366
Gr: 7-12 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #88.
Riverton Middle School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
7144 Se 70th
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-3355
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-3355
Gr: 6-8 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #99.
Columbus Junior High And High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
124 S High School Avenue
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3821
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3821
Gr: 7-12 | 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1010.
Galena High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
602 East 8th Street
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Gr: 9-12 | 236 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1111.
Riverton High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
7120 Se 70th
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-3388
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-3388
Gr: 9-12 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: n/an/a
602 East 8th Street
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Gr: 9-12 | 19 students Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: n/an/a
801 Lincoln
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3322
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3322
Gr: PK-2 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: n/an/a
724 E Garfield Street
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3905
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3905
Gr: PK-1 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: n/an/a
1900 Galena Ave.
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Gr: PK-2 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: n/an/a
100 N. Miliary
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3366
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3366
Gr: 7-12 | 36 students Minority enrollment: 19%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Cherokee County, KS?
The top-ranked public schools in Cherokee County, KS include Central Elementary School, Southeast Elementary School and Galena Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Cherokee County?
15 public schools are located in Cherokee County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cherokee County?
Cherokee County public schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Kansas public schools average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cherokee County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Cherokee County include: Lincoln Elementary School vs. Riverton Elementary School, Columbus Junior High And High School vs. Baxter Springs High School, Riverton High School vs. Baxter Springs High School
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