The top reported proficiency rate is 29% in English language arts. The lowest is 20% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Riley Elem
Riley Elem serves students from preschool through sixth grade in Great Bend, Kansas. It is one of several elementary schools in the Great Bend school district, and it operates as a traditional public school with no charter or magnet status. The school draws its community from a city that functions as the county seat of Barton County and a regional commercial center for central Kansas, though the city’s population has experienced a modest decline over recent decades. Great Bend retains a traditional downtown anchored by the county courthouse, a regional hospital, and employers such as the Fuller Brush Company and Barton Community College. The housing market in the area is notably affordable, with home values well below both state and national benchmarks, and rents are also relatively low. Families considering the area will find a small-city setting with short commutes and a dial-a-ride public transit option.
Riley Elem serves a student body that is diverse in background but predominantly Hispanic, with a smaller share of white students and small numbers of other racial groups represented. A very high proportion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which indicates that the school serves a community with concentrated economic need. The school’s enrollment is moderate for its grade span, with class sizes that appear manageable across the grades offered.
Academically, the school’s state testing results from the Kansas Assessment Program show that proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science fall below the midpoint of what is typical across the state. When compared with other districts within Barton County, Riley Elem’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among the four districts for which data is available. The proficiency rates vary somewhat by grade and subject, but they are consistently low across the tested years. In some grade levels, the rates are particularly low, which a parent may want to look into further with the school to understand the supports available. Because the school only goes through sixth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and the limited grade band means that the testing data covers only elementary-level performance.
Information about special education services and English learner programs was not available in the reviewed data, and the school’s civil rights data, discipline records, staffing ratios, and attendance rates were also absent. These gaps make it difficult to fully assess the learning environment or the specific supports for students with individualized needs. A parent interested in those areas should ask the school or district directly for details.
The district brief found no recent changes of lasting impact to report for Great Bend USD 428, so the school appears to be operating in a stable administrative context. The broader community shows a gradual population decline but remains a steady regional hub. The affordability of housing in Great Bend may be a draw for families, and the school itself is a neighborhood elementary school serving a high-needs population. The academic challenges reflected in the testing data are consistent with the school’s high poverty context, and families evaluating the school should consider what additional academic support and enrichment opportunities are available, particularly if their child’s performance in the tested subjects is a priority.
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