The top reported proficiency rate is 44% in English language arts. The lowest is 36% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Slate Creek Elementary
Slate Creek Elementary serves students from kindergarten through fourth grade in Newton, Kansas, operating as one of several elementary schools within the Newton public school district. Because it covers only the early elementary years, there are no graduation rate or high school outcome measures to report here.
Newton itself is a mid-sized county seat with a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and industrial and railroad infrastructure. The city was founded as a railroad and cattle-shipping town, and BNSF Railway remains a major industrial taxpayer even though its employment footprint has receded. The community culture was shaped by Mennonite and Mexican immigrants. Over the past few years Newton's population has seen a slight decline, and the city's strategic plan focuses on investing in downtown, promoting redevelopment in established neighborhoods, and marketing the community as a vibrant place. Housing values in the area sit somewhat below the statewide benchmark, while rents have risen sharply in the recent period.
The school's enrollment is relatively small for its grade band. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is diverse: the largest group is white, followed by a sizable Hispanic population, with smaller numbers of students who are Asian, multiracial, or from other racial backgrounds. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the provided records.
On state assessments administered through the Kansas Assessment Program, performance varies by grade and subject. In third grade, the share of students reaching proficiency in math was low, while in fourth grade it rose to roughly half of students tested. In English language arts, third graders also showed a lower proficiency rate, and fourth graders reached about the halfway mark. A parent may want to discuss these results directly with the school to understand the instructional context, especially the gap between the third- and fourth-grade cohorts.
When compared with other districts in Harvey County, Slate Creek Elementary's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it below the midpoint of the county's districts. The comparison set includes six districts, and five had proficiency data available for this metric. The school's performance index falls between the lowest and median values in that group.
Because Slate Creek serves only kindergarten through fourth grade, there are no chronic absenteeism or high school outcome metrics to consider. The district itself, Newton, did not show any recent major changes in publicly available information.
For a family looking at early elementary options in the Newton area, Slate Creek offers a small-school setting with a diverse, economically mixed student body. The housing market in Newton is more affordable than the state average, though rising rents may be a consideration. The school's academic results are mixed, with stronger performance emerging by fourth grade in both math and reading, but weaker results in third grade that merit further inquiry.
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