The top reported proficiency rate is 50% in English language arts. The lowest is 35% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Southeast Elementary School
Southeast Elementary School serves young children from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in the small rural town of Weir, Kansas. It is one of the schools within the Cherokee district, which covers a broad, lightly populated area of Cherokee County. The school is small in enrollment, and its student body is predominantly white. A substantial share of students come from low-income households, as reflected in the free or reduced-price meal participation rate.
State assessment results are available for the third and fourth grades in both math and English language arts. In math, proficiency rates are below the midpoint of the Kansas state average, landing in the mid-to-upper third of the percent range. English language arts performance is somewhat stronger; the third-grade cohort posted a proficiency rate that is higher than the math results, while the fourth-grade rate is lower. When all tested subjects and grades are combined into a single proficiency index, the school sits above the midpoint among the four districts in Cherokee County that have reported data. This suggests that within the local county context, academic performance is in an average range, though not among the top performers.
Because Southeast Elementary ends at fourth grade, there are no high school outcomes such as a graduation rate to consider. The school’s grade band means that families will need to plan for a transition to a middle or elementary school in the district after fourth grade. No information was available on special education enrollment or English learner populations, so a parent with a child who receives those services would want to ask the school directly about how those supports are structured. The school does not appear to be a charter or magnet school, and no Title I status was reported, though the high rate of economic disadvantage typically qualifies a school for federal Title I funding.
The community of Weir is a modest, rural residential place with a long history tied to coal mining and zinc smelting. The population has been declining steadily over several decades, and the built environment consists of single-family homes, a small downtown core that holds a bank, a library, and a few businesses. Housing values are very low relative to state and national benchmarks, which makes the area one of the more affordable places to live in Kansas. Most residents likely commute to nearby larger towns such as Pittsburg for employment, as no major employers remain in Weir itself. The town has a fire department, several churches, and the Mined Land Wildlife Area nearby for recreation. There is no public transit; travel by car is the norm.
For a parent considering Southeast Elementary, the picture is of a small, rural school where economic need is high and academic proficiency on state tests is modest, though somewhat stronger in reading than in math. The affordability of housing in Weir is a practical draw, and the school’s small size may appeal to families who want a close-knit setting. The lack of available data on staffing, class sizes, and course offerings means that a family would want to visit and ask about class sections, enrichment, and how the school supports students who are behind. The nearby Mined Land Wildlife Area and the quiet, slow-growth character of the town could suit families who prefer a low-key environment outside a larger city’s orbit.
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