The top reported proficiency rate is 53% in English language arts. The lowest is 36% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Garfield Elem
Garfield Elem is a public elementary school in Ottawa, Kansas, serving prekindergarten through fifth grade. It sits within the Ottawa school district, which also operates two other elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. Because the school ends at fifth grade, there is no graduation rate, and state testing data is available only for the grades that take the Kansas Assessment Program—third, fourth, and fifth.
On the 2024–25 state assessments, Garfield Elem’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it above the midpoint among the four districts in Franklin County. The comparison set covers all districts in the county, and the school’s combined performance ranks in the top quartile. This is a solid showing for a public elementary in this rural-to-small-city region. That said, the scores vary notably by grade and subject. Fourth graders posted the strongest results in both math and English language arts, while fifth graders had lower proficiency rates in math and in science, the only subject tested at that grade level. Third grade fell between those two groups. Kansas recently changed the cut scores on its assessments, which means the results from this year cannot be directly compared to prior years, so a parent who wants a multi-year trend will need to wait for more data.
The student body is predominantly white, with Hispanic students and students of two or more races making up most of the remainder. A substantial share of students—roughly six in ten—qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a population with significant economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent with a child who may need specialized support should check directly with the school about those services.
Housing in the Ottawa area is priced near the Kansas statewide benchmark, and home values have risen over the past year. The national 30-year mortgage rate at the time of this profile is just above 6.5 percent. For reference, the national median household income is around $84,000, and the unemployment rate is 4.3 percent. These figures give a point of comparison for thinking about affordability if a family is relocating.
Ottawa itself is a small city with a mix of residential neighborhoods, a historic downtown, and a university campus. Its economy is anchored by distribution centers for Walmart and American Eagle Outfitters, BNSF rail service, the local co-op, and a hospital. The Marais des Cygnes River runs through town, and the city has invested in flood control infrastructure. The district’s recent public changes are minimal according to available information—no major boundary shifts, program additions, or leadership transitions were reported that would alter the school’s character for an incoming family.
Outside of test scores, the data available for Garfield Elem is thin. There is no information on chronic absenteeism, discipline rates, staffing ratios, or program offerings such as gifted education, music, or physical education. A parent exploring this school would want to ask about class sizes, specials, and the degree of academic support for students who are behind. The school’s website may provide more detail.
Overall, Garfield Elem is a neighborhood elementary that performs above the typical level for its county on state tests, with fourth grade as its strongest year. The student population is economically diverse, and the community context is that of a stable, moderately growing small city with a working-class and university-influenced base. A family considering this school should look into the local elementary boundary to confirm assignment and ask the school directly about special education and enrichment options, given the gaps in the public data.
See more original research from School Decision →