The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in English language arts. The lowest is 43% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Rising Star Elem
Rising Star Elementary serves students from preschool through sixth grade in Lenexa, a fast-growing suburb within the Kansas City metro area. The school is part of the Shawnee Mission Public Schools district, one of three districts that serve Lenexa families alongside Olathe and De Soto. Lenexa itself is a city shaped by rapid development, with hundreds of millions of dollars in recent investment tied to its location at the intersection of major highways. Its population has grown sharply over recent decades, and the city now functions as a mix of residential subdivisions, office parks, and industrial centers. Major employers include Garmin’s international headquarters, UPS, and Kiewit Construction, while the Lenexa City Center serves as a newer civic and commercial hub with City Hall, a library branch, and a hospital.
The student body at Rising Star is racially and economically diverse. About half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that gives the school a moderate-to-high level of economic need relative to many schools in the region. White students make up roughly half the enrollment, with Black and Hispanic students each accounting for a notable share, and a smaller portion of students identifying as two or more races or Asian. The school serves a full pre-K program through sixth grade, with enrollment distributed fairly evenly across the elementary grades and a slightly larger third-grade class.
On state assessments, Rising Star’s performance sits below the midpoint among districts in Johnson County when measured by an overall proficiency index that averages results across tested subjects and grades. The state’s testing system underwent a change in cut scores, which makes direct year-over-year comparisons uncertain, but the available results give a clear picture of current achievement levels. In English language arts, proficiency rates are mixed by grade level. Third graders and sixth graders post stronger results, with roughly six in ten students meeting the state’s proficiency benchmark. Fourth and fifth graders show lower rates, with just under half reaching that level. In math, the pattern is more compressed. Across grades three through six, proficiency rates cluster in the low to mid-forties, with no grade exceeding half of students scoring proficient. The only tested science grade, fifth, shows a proficiency rate in the low forties.
These numbers suggest that while a solid portion of students are meeting grade-level expectations, a substantial share are not. This is especially pronounced in math, where the school’s performance is fairly uniform and below a majority-proficient bar at every tested grade. In reading, the stronger showings in third and sixth grades stand out, but the drop-off in fourth and fifth grades is worth noting. A parent may want to ask the school how it supports students who are not yet at the proficient level and whether these patterns have been a focus of instructional attention.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. The district, however, has made some notable academic investments. Shawnee Mission Public Schools has established district-wide Signature Programs at the Center for Academic Achievement and the Career Technical Campus, offering pathways in fields such as biotechnology, engineering, culinary arts, animation and game design, medical health sciences, and a public safety program called Project Blue Eagle. These programs are open to high school students across the district and represent a meaningful expansion of career and college-preparatory options. The district has also adopted a focus on personalized learning plans for every student, which shapes instruction across all grade levels and schools.
The housing market in the area reflects the broader Johnson County suburban demand. Home values are above the Kansas state benchmark, and rents have been rising. The combination of a fast-growing city, a large employer base, and a desirable suburban location has kept the market active. For families considering Rising Star, the school sits within a district that offers specialized high school programming, but the elementary-level academic results show room for growth. The school’s economic diversity adds another dimension; about half the students come from lower-income households, which can affect classroom dynamics and resource allocation. A family choosing Rising Star should expect a school where a significant number of students are working to reach grade-level benchmarks, especially in math, and where the district’s broader commitment to personalized learning and career pathways becomes relevant when students move into middle and high school.
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