For the 2026-27 school year, there are 5 public preschools serving 1,146 students in Cherokee County, KS.
The top-ranked public preschools in Cherokee County, KS are Southeast Elementary School and Riverton Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cherokee County, KS public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the Kansas public pre school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 39% statewide average). Pre schools in Cherokee County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Kansas public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Kansas public preschool average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Cherokee County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
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
Gr: PK-4 | 149 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
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: 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 preschools in Cherokee County, KS?
The top-ranked public preschools in Cherokee County, KS include Southeast Elementary School and Riverton Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Cherokee County?
5 public preschools are located in Cherokee County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cherokee County?
Cherokee County public preschools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Kansas public preschools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Cherokee County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Cherokee County include: Lincoln Elementary School vs. Riverton Elementary School, Park Elementary School vs. Lincoln Elementary School, Riverton Elementary School vs. Lincoln Elementary School
Recent Articles
When Your Child Gets a Teacher You Didn't Request
Learn what parents can do when a child is assigned to an unexpected teacher, including when to wait, communicate, document concerns, request support, and seek reassignment appropriately.
Before Accepting a Public School Seat: 15 Checks
Before accepting a public school seat, parents should verify enrollment terms, transportation, staffing, academics, safety, support services, schedules, attendance rules, extracurriculars, costs, and long-term placement details carefully.
Will This Public School Offer the Same Programs Next Year?
Learn how parents can determine whether public school programs will continue next year by checking budgets, enrollment, staffing, board documents, grants, course schedules, and district priorities before enrolling.