For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 3,373 students in Cherokee County, KS.
The top ranked public schools in Cherokee County, KS are Southeast Elementary School, Central 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 27% (versus the Kansas public school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 33% statewide average). Schools in Cherokee County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 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 39% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Cherokee County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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
Grades: PK-4
| 175 students
Rank: #22.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1501 Park Ave
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3311
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3311
Grades: 3-6
| 222 students
Rank: #33.
Galena Middle School
(Math: 30-34% | 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
Grades: 6-8
| 174 students
Rank: #44.
Riverton Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7166 Se 70th
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-4078
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-4078
Grades: PK-5
| 306 students
Rank: #55.
Liberty Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | 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
Grades: 3-5
| 155 students
Rank: #66.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 25% | 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
Grades: 4-6
| 208 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Baxter Springs High School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
100 N Military
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3366
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3366
Grades: 7-12
| 371 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Riverton Middle School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7144 Se 70th
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-3355
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-3355
Grades: 6-8
| 163 students
Rank: #99.
Riverton High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
7120 Se 70th
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-3388
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-3388
Grades: 9-12
| 227 students
Rank: #1010.
Columbus Junior High And High School
(Math: 6-9% | 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
Grades: 7-12
| 430 students
Rank: #1111.
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
Grades: 9-12
| 236 students
Rank: n/an/a
801 Lincoln
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3322
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3322
Grades: PK-2
| 233 students
Rank: n/an/a
724 E Garfield Street
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3905
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3905
Grades: PK-1
| 216 students
Rank: n/an/a
1900 Galena Ave.
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Grades: PK-2
| 216 students
Rank: n/an/a
100 N. Miliary
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3366
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3366
Grades: 6-12
| 41 students
Cherokee County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1520 Cleveland
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3355
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3355
Grades: 6-8
| 229 students
720 East 7th St
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
9155 Sw 30th Street
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 674-8593
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 674-8593
Grades: K-4
| 40 students
319 N High School St
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3032
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3032
Grades: 2-3
| 136 students
400 East Katy St
Scammon, KS 66773
(620) 479-3631
Scammon, KS 66773
(620) 479-3631
Grades: K-6
| n/a students
280 Ne 90th Street
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 389-2344
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 389-2344
Grades: PK-6
| 91 students
Box 90
West Mineral, KS 66782
(620) 827-6237
West Mineral, KS 66782
(620) 827-6237
Grades: 1-3
| 7 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Cherokee County, KS?
The top ranked public schools in Cherokee County, KS include Southeast Elementary School, Central 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 39% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cherokee County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Cherokee County include: Galena High School vs. Riverton High School, Lincoln Elementary School vs. Riverton Elementary School, Columbus Junior High And High School vs. Baxter Springs High School
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