The top reported proficiency rate is 54% in Science. The lowest is 40% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Conway Springs Middle School
Conway Springs Middle School serves sixth through eighth graders in the small Sumner County community of Conway Springs. It is a public school in the Conway Springs district, and with about ninety students across three grades, it is a notably small middle school. The student body is overwhelmingly white, and a substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school in a context where economic disadvantage is present but not dominant.
The school’s academic picture is mixed, with some subjects and grade levels showing stronger results than others. Overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits above the midpoint among districts in Sumner County. Looking more closely, math proficiency varies by grade: it is highest among eighth graders and lowest among seventh graders, while sixth graders fall in between. In English language arts, proficiency rates are lower in sixth and seventh grade, then rise for eighth graders to a level comparable to that grade’s math showing. Science, tested only in eighth grade, posts a similar rate to that grade’s math and ELA. A parent may want to note that Kansas changed the cut scores on its state assessments in recent years, so direct comparisons with prior years are not straightforward. The data does not include participation rates or average scale scores, which would give a fuller picture of how students are performing.
Because Conway Springs Middle School covers only the middle grades, there is no graduation rate to report. Chronic absenteeism data was not available, and the school’s civil rights data, including information on students with disabilities and English learners, is also missing. This absence means a family looking for detail on student support services or discipline patterns would need to ask the school directly. No information on programs such as advanced coursework or career pathways was provided, which is typical for a small middle school where such offerings may not be extensive.
The community of Conway Springs is a small rural farming town with a compact downtown centered on Spring Avenue and Central Park. The park contains the historic Spring House, a Band Shell, and recreational facilities, and the town’s identity still draws on its mineral springs heritage. Population has been essentially flat over recent years, and the housing market is modest by both state and national standards. The town’s largest employment sectors are manufacturing, educational services (likely the school district itself), and health care. Most residents commute by car, and the average commute time is typical for a rural area. No recent bond elections, curriculum changes, or facility updates were found in the district, suggesting a period of stability rather than transformation.
For a family considering Conway Springs Middle School, the picture is that of a small, rural setting where the student body is largely homogeneous and the school’s academic performance is generally above the county midpoint but shows soft spots, particularly in English language arts in the lower middle grades. The limited data on special populations and the absence of detailed program information means that families with specific support needs or academic aspirations will want to inquire further with the school. The community offers affordable housing and a quiet, stable environment, but the lack of growth and limited economic diversity may not suit every family’s preferences.
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