The top reported proficiency rate is 77% in Math. The lowest is 52% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Lakeside Elementary
Lakeside Elementary sits in the heart of Cawker City, a very small rural community on the north shore of Waconda Lake in north-central Kansas. The town has long served surrounding farm families, but its population has declined steadily as young adults moved elsewhere for work and farm operations consolidated. Civic life centers on a compact downtown corridor along US Highway 24, anchored by the World’s Largest Ball of Twine, a museum and library, and a historic church with the state’s oldest organ. Housing values in the area are low relative to state and national benchmarks, reflecting the region’s modest agricultural economy.
The school itself serves children from prekindergarten through fifth grade and belongs to Waconda USD, a consolidated district formed through several earlier mergers. Elementary students attend school in Cawker City, while secondary students commute to Lakeside High School in the nearby town of Downs. No major district changes were found in publicly reported material for recent years.
Academically, Lakeside Elementary stands out within its county. State assessment results from the Kansas Assessment Program, which underwent a cut-score change that makes year-over-year trend comparisons unreliable, show that students in tested grades perform well above the midpoint among Mitchell County's districts. The school’s overall proficiency index ranks in the top quartile relative to other districts in the county. Math proficiency is strong across grades three through five, and English language arts proficiency is solid, though it varies by grade. Fifth-grade science proficiency is lower than the school’s math and reading results; a parent may want to discuss science instruction with the school directly. Because the school serves only elementary grades, no graduation rate is reported, and the data does not include chronic absenteeism or discipline figures.
Enrollment is small, with a handful of students in each grade and a notable prekindergarten cohort. The student body is predominantly white, with a very small share of Hispanic students and a tiny number of multiracial students. More than half of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating that a substantial share of families face economic challenges. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available.
The school’s environment reflects its rural, small-town setting. Street life in Cawker City is quiet and minimal. The compact town covers just over a square mile, and most daily needs are a short walk or drive from the school. No public transit exists. Recent civic improvements include a new themed water tower. The long trajectory is one of population contraction, not growth, and the community skews older.
For a family considering Lakeside Elementary, the picture is clear. This is a small, rural public elementary school where a child will be in a very small peer group and where academic performance in core subjects is competitive with the best in the county. The community is tight-knit, the housing market is inexpensive, and the town offers a few distinctive attractions but limited employment and services. Parents who want their child to begin school in a high-performing elementary setting and are comfortable with a consolidated secondary arrangement that requires travel to another town will find this a solid option. Those looking for a school with more diverse demographics, a wide range of extracurricular programs, or a growing housing market should weigh these realities against what Lakeside provides.
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