The top reported proficiency rate is 62% in English language arts. The lowest is 47% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Garfield School
Garfield School in Parsons, Kansas, serves only second and third graders. It is one of several elementary schools in the Parsons school district, and its narrow two-grade span means it is a transitional environment for young students. There is no state testing for second grade, so the academic picture comes entirely from third-grade results.
On the Kansas Assessment Program, third graders at Garfield showed higher performance in English language arts than in math. A solid majority of students met or exceeded the state’s proficiency bar in reading and writing. In math, the share was below that mark, a soft spot that a parent may want to look into further with the school. The state changed its cut scores for math and ELA in this testing cycle, so comparisons to prior years are not reliable, and trend data is not available. Across the two subjects combined, Garfield’s overall proficiency index placed it among the top-performing schools in its county, meaning its third-grade scores compare well against the averages of other districts in Labette County.
The student body is relatively small for a school covering just two grades. The classroom composition reflects the wider Parsons community. A little more than half of students are white. Significant shares identify as Hispanic, Black, and of two or more races, with smaller numbers of Asian and American Indian students. A large majority of students come from low-income households, based on the share qualifying for free or reduced-price meals. The data does not report the share of students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent with a child in those populations would want to ask the school directly about available supports.
Parsons itself is a small city, the most populous in Labette County, with a historic downtown that has received national recognition for revitalization. The city has a mix of residential neighborhoods, parks, and community events such as the annual Katy Days festival. Major employers include the Parsons State Hospital & Training Center, Labette County Medical Center, Labette Community College, and firms at the Great Plains Industrial Park, a redeveloped former munitions site. The housing market is relatively affordable compared to national benchmarks, with home values that have been stable. The school district has not seen major recent changes that would be reported publicly, and district-level factors appear steady.
Because Garfield only covers second and third grades, students must move to another school for fourth and fifth grades, and then to a middle school. The district operates separate elementary buildings for pre-kindergarten through first grade and for fourth and fifth grades, so families should be aware of this pattern. The school’s academic strength in early literacy, relative to county peers, may be appealing, while the math results give reason for a closer look. The high rate of economic disadvantage means the school likely receives targeted resources to support student needs, but a parent may want to confirm what those resources are.
In summary, Garfield School offers a focused early elementary experience in a small community with affordable housing. Its third-grade test results show a split between stronger English language arts and weaker math, and overall it holds up well compared to other area districts. The school’s narrow grade span and the district’s structure of separate grade-level buildings mean that children will change schools multiple times before reaching high school. A parent considering Garfield would do well to visit, ask about math instruction, and understand how the school supports its many students from lower-income families.
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