The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Horton Elem
Horton Elem serves students from prekindergarten through fourth grade as part of the South Brown County school district in northeast Kansas. Because it covers only the early elementary years, there is no high school graduation rate to report, and state testing data exists only for the third and fourth grades that participate in the Kansas Assessment Program.
The school is located in the small rural city of Horton, a community that has experienced long-term population decline since the mid-twentieth century. A civic revitalization effort called Reinvent Horton began in recent years, focusing on downtown cleanup, sidewalk and lighting improvements, and the removal of blighted buildings. Housing in the area is modestly priced compared with state and national benchmarks, and the local economy offers limited employment options, with the school district itself and a nearby casino among the likely employers. The town’s rural character means that most daily errands require a car, though the downtown improvements suggest some pedestrian infrastructure exists.
Horton Elem enrolls a student body that is predominantly white, with a sizeable Native American population and a notable Hispanic presence. More than half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a measure that points to a substantial level of economic need in the community. Data on students with individualized education plans and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those supports.
On state assessments for the most recent testing year, the proportion of third graders scoring proficient or above in math and English language arts was similar, at roughly two-fifths. Fourth-grade results were a bit lower, with about one-third of students proficient in both subjects. Across the tested grades and subjects, the school’s overall proficiency index placed it above the midpoint when compared with other districts in Brown County. That comparison set includes only a small number of districts, so the positioning should be interpreted with that narrow context in mind. The state changed its cut scores for math and English language arts in this testing cycle, which means these results are not directly comparable with prior years.
No information was reported on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing ratios, or course access, so a family looking for a fuller picture of the school environment would need to follow up with the school or district. The district brief did not identify any recent major changes or initiatives that would affect the school.
What this school offers is a small, neighborhood-scale elementary experience in a rural setting where housing costs are below state averages and the community is working to reverse decades of population loss. The academic results are modest, but they sit in the middle of a small local peer group. A parent considering Horton Elem should weigh the convenience of a local early-grades school against the absence of some data points that might inform a choice, and they may want to visit or speak with the principal to learn more about supports for students who are struggling or need enrichment beyond what the state tests measure.
See more original research from School Decision →