The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in English language arts. The lowest is 34% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Walnut Elem
Walnut Elem is a public elementary school in Emporia, Kansas, serving prekindergarten through fifth grade. It is one of six elementary schools in the Emporia school district, a system that also includes a middle school and a single high school. The school sits on the east side of town, within a mixed-use city that functions as a college town, county seat, and industrial and manufacturing hub. Emporia is home to Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College, and its major employers include Hostess Brands, Hopkins Manufacturing, and Simmons Pet Food, though the recent permanent closure of a Tyson Foods beef-packing plant has removed a longtime major employer from the local economy. The district itself had no recent parent-relevant changes such as bond issues or curriculum shifts found in public reports, so families should expect continuity in operations.
The student body at Walnut Elem is small for its grade band, with enrollment spread fairly evenly across kindergarten through fifth grade, plus a separate prekindergarten section. Racially, the school is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic minority and smaller shares of students who are two or more races or Black. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating that the school serves a population with significant economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the provided records, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those support services.
Academically, Walnut Elem participates in the Kansas Assessment Program for grades three through five. The most recent results show that in English language arts, more than half of fourth and fifth graders met the state's proficiency standard, while third graders did so at a lower rate. In mathematics, the share of students reaching proficiency was lower across all three tested grades, with third and fourth graders notably below half and fifth graders approaching half. In fifth-grade science, a share of students met the standard, but the overall pattern places the school well below the midpoint relative to other districts in Lyon County when considering its combined proficiency across all tested subjects and grades. State testing also involved a change in cut scores, which makes direct year-to-year comparisons uncertain. Because the school does not serve grades beyond fifth, there is no graduation rate to report, and chronic absenteeism data was not available, leaving that aspect of student engagement unclear.
Housing in the area around Walnut Elem reflects a market that is more affordable than both the Kansas state average and the national average. The typical home value in the zip code is substantially lower than the state benchmark, and rents are also below the state figure. Monthly mortgage costs for a median-priced home with a typical down payment would be roughly comparable to or slightly below the cost of renting, reinforcing a picture of relative affordability for families. Emporia itself has seen modest home value growth over the past year, but the broader economic context includes the recent loss of the Tyson plant, which had created a large share of local economic activity for decades. That closure may shape the city's growth trajectory and, by extension, district enrollment in the years ahead.
For a family considering Walnut Elem, the school offers a small, community-oriented setting within a district that is the sole public provider for Emporia. The academic data points to an elementary school where many students are still building foundational skills, particularly in math, and where the share of students meeting state standards is lower than in many neighboring districts. The high level of economic need among the student body suggests that the school likely receives Title I funding and may offer additional supports, though the data did not confirm that status. Given the limited program offerings and staffing information available, a parent should visit the school or contact the district to learn about special education services, English learner supports, and any enrichment or intervention programs that may be in place.
See more original research from School Decision →