The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in Science. The lowest is 33% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Norwich Middle School
Norwich Middle School serves grades six through eight in the Kingman - Norwich district, housed in a town where the city’s own website describes the school as “nestled in the heart of our small town.” Norwich is a quiet, rural community in Kingman County, easily reached by Highway 42 and within driving distance of Wichita and other larger towns. Most residents commute to work elsewhere, and the town’s residential character is shaped by a high homeownership rate. Housing values in the area have seen appreciation, though values have recently dipped slightly. The district as a whole serves a small population across its schools.
The student body at Norwich Middle School is small, reflecting its rural setting. The enrollment is almost entirely white, with a very small number of Black and Hispanic students. Because the school is so small, the data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is typical for a community of this size and economic profile.
State testing results for the 2024-25 school year show a mixed picture. In math, sixth-grade students achieved a proficiency rate around the midpoint of what Kansas reports, but seventh-grade proficiency was much lower, and eighth-grade proficiency fell somewhere in between. In English language arts, sixth and eighth graders had proficiency rates that were moderate, while seventh graders again showed a much lower rate. In science, the only tested grade, eighth grade, posted a proficiency rate in the moderate range. Because the state made changes to its cut scores for these assessments, comparing this year’s results to prior years is not straightforward. Overall across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s combined proficiency index placed it below the midpoint compared to other districts in Kingman County. A parent may want to ask the school how it supports students who are struggling in math and reading, especially in seventh grade, where the numbers are noticeably weaker.
The school serves only middle grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Its small size means that students likely receive a lot of individual attention, and the school is centrally located in town, making it easy for students to participate in extracurricular and community activities. The district did not have recent publicly reported changes such as bond issues or curriculum overhauls to note.
For a family considering Norwich, the academic pathway here is one where proficiency varies by grade and subject, and the school’s overall performance on state tests is lower than the county median. The peer environment is small and largely homogeneous. The housing market in Norwich is affordable relative to state and national benchmarks, and the town offers a quiet, car-dependent rural lifestyle. This school may fit a family that values a close-knit community setting, where the school is the center of town life, and that is comfortable looking into the academic support available for students who are not yet meeting proficiency targets.
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