For the 2026-27 school year, there are 10 public elementary schools serving 2,109 students in Cherokee County, KS.
The top-ranked public elementary 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 elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Kansas public elementary school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 35% statewide average). Elementary schools in Cherokee County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Kansas public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Kansas public elementary school average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Cherokee County (2026-27)
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.
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: 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%
Cherokee County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1520 Cleveland
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3355
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3355
Gr: 6-8 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Cornerstone Alternative Charter High School (Closed 2011)
Charter School
720 East 7th St
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Gr: 9-12
9155 Sw 30th Street
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 674-8593
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 674-8593
Gr: K-4 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
319 N High School St
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3032
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3032
Gr: 2-3 | 136 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
280 Ne 90th Street
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 389-2344
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 389-2344
Gr: PK-6 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Box 90
West Mineral, KS 66782
(620) 827-6237
West Mineral, KS 66782
(620) 827-6237
Gr: 1-3 | 7 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Cherokee County, KS?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Cherokee County, KS include Central Elementary School, Southeast Elementary School and Galena Middle School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Cherokee County?
11 public elementary schools are located in Cherokee County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cherokee County?
Cherokee County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Kansas public elementary schools average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Cherokee County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Cherokee County include: Riverton Middle School vs. Galena Middle School, Lincoln Elementary School vs. Riverton Elementary School, Park Elementary School vs. Lincoln Elementary School
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