The top reported proficiency rate is 62% in English language arts. The lowest is 53% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Sheridan Elem
Sheridan Elementary is a Pre-K through fifth-grade public school in Junction City, part of Geary County Schools. The school sits in a community whose economy and character are deeply tied to nearby Fort Riley, a major Army installation. More than half the district’s students are connected to the military, a fact that shapes the school’s population and the rhythm of the year for many families. The district recently opened a new elementary school on the Fort Riley base, which is a parent-relevant change that may affect attendance zones and facility conditions for families living on or near the post.
The student body is diverse in composition. White students make up the largest share, followed by Hispanic students, students who identify as two or more races, and Black students. A substantial majority of the students at Sheridan qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the income profile of many families in the area. The school serves a sizable number of students across each elementary grade, from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Information on the share of students with an Individualized Education Program or who are English learners was not available, so a parent who needs those supports may want to ask about them directly.
On the Kansas Assessment Program, Sheridan’s results show a mixed picture that varies by grade and subject. In both math and English language arts, the school’s proficiency rates generally trend lower as students move through the grades, which is a pattern a parent may want to look into further with the school. At third grade, a solid majority of students met the proficient standard in both math and English language arts. By fourth grade, the math proficiency rate was roughly half of students, while English language arts held steady at a strong level. By fifth grade, the math proficiency rate was notably lower, while English language arts remained at roughly the same level as fourth grade. Fifth-grade science results were similar to the English language arts results for that grade. Readers should note that Kansas changed the cut scores on its assessments in recent years, so trend comparisons with earlier years are not reliable. State testing data is not available for grades below third, as those grades are not tested.
The school is a traditional public school and is not a charter or a magnet. Information about the school’s discipline climate, staffing ratios, and course access offerings was not available. The neighborhood comparison feature did not produce a usable comparison because Sheridan is the only school in its district for which the data was reported, so there is no basis for placing its performance relative to other local elementary schools within the same county school system.
The housing market in the zip code that serves Sheridan shows home values that are a bit below the state average, with a modest recent increase in both home values and rents. The estimated monthly mortgage payment after a typical down payment is similar to the median rent, meaning that neither renting nor buying strongly dominates from a purely monthly cost perspective. For families moving to the area, the military base is the dominant employer, and the city itself employs a significant number of people. The city has a traditional downtown anchored by the county courthouse, and local transit is available. No specific information on walkability scores or recent housing developments was found in available sources.
For a parent, Sheridan Elementary offers a community that serves a large military-connected population, a diverse student body, and a range of elementary grades in a single building. The academic results show strength in early elementary reading and a decline in math by fifth grade that warrants a conversation with the school. The school’s size is moderate for its grade band, and the setting is a small city with a clear civic center and a transit option. Families weighing this school should factor in the district’s new on-base elementary, which may shift school assignments for some military families.
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