For the 2026-27 school year, there are 6 public high schools serving 1,305 students in Cherokee County, KS.
The top-ranked public high schools in Cherokee County, KS are Baxter Springs High School, Columbus Junior High And High School and Galena High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cherokee County, KS public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Kansas public high school average of 22%), and reading proficiency score of 22% (versus the 26% statewide average). High schools in Cherokee County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Kansas public high schools.
Cherokee County, KS public high school have a Graduation Rate of 88%, which is more than the Kansas average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Columbus Junior High And High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Kansas or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Kansas public high school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Cherokee County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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
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%
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 high schools in Cherokee County, KS?
The top-ranked public high schools in Cherokee County, KS include Baxter Springs High School, Columbus Junior High And High School and Galena High School.
How many public high schools are located in Cherokee County?
5 public high schools are located in Cherokee County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cherokee County?
Cherokee County public high schools minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Kansas public high schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Cherokee County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Cherokee County include: Galena High School vs. Riverton High School, Columbus Junior High And High School vs. Baxter Springs High School, Baxter Springs High School vs. Riverton High School
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