The top reported proficiency rate is 53% in English language arts. The lowest is 42% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Frontenac Jr. High
Frontenac Jr. High serves sixth through eighth grade and is one of three schools within the Frontenac Public Schools district, all located within the small city of Frontenac in southeastern Kansas. The school sits near the downtown core on South Cayuga Street, alongside the district's elementary and high school buildings, so the schools are woven into the fabric of the town rather than isolated on a separate campus. Frontenac itself is a historically Italian and Slavic coal mining town that has since diversified its economy, and it retains a strong sense of heritage with annual events like Festa Italiana. The community is experiencing slow population growth, and recent investments have focused on recreational infrastructure such as a new football stadium and baseball facility at the town's sports complex.
The student body is predominantly white, with small shares of Hispanic, Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Asian, and multiracial students. About a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a moderate level of economic need. The school is not a charter, and its magnet and Title I status were not available in the data. Information on special education and English learner populations was also missing, which a parent may want to ask the school about directly.
Academically, the school's performance on the Kansas Assessment Program (KAP) shows a pattern of rising proficiency across grade levels in both math and English language arts. In math, proficiency rates increase from sixth to eighth grade, with the eighth-grade rate notably higher than the sixth-grade rate. In English language arts, all three grades score near or just above half of students meeting proficiency, with eighth graders again performing the strongest. Science results are available only for eighth grade and show roughly half of students proficient. It is worth noting that Kansas changed its cut scores for math and English language arts assessments in recent years, which makes direct year-over-year comparisons unreliable. When placed against other districts in Crawford County, the school’s overall proficiency index lands in the top quartile, meaning its combined test results are among the stronger in the county. A graduation rate is not reported for this school since it serves only middle grades.
Housing in the area is notably more affordable relative to both the state and national benchmarks, which may be a draw for families looking for lower costs. The national mortgage rate context and county economic conditions were available, but specific information on the local job market or major employers in Frontenac is thin; the school district itself is likely one of the larger employers, and the town hosts satellite campuses for a community college and technical training centers. No recent district-level changes, such as boundary shifts, program overhauls, or leadership transitions, were found in publicly available sources.
For a family considering this school, the picture is of a small-town middle school with solid county-level test performance, a largely homogeneous student population, and affordable housing. The rising proficiency trajectory through the grades is a positive sign. Families should note that data on special education services, English learner support, and course offerings like electives or advanced classes was not reported here, so those are natural follow-up questions for a school visit or inquiry. The town itself is compact and walkable at its core, with active parks and community events, but limited public transit and no local library branch were documented.
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