The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in Science. The lowest is 24% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Syracuse Elem
Syracuse Elem serves prekindergarten through sixth grade in Syracuse, Kansas, a small rural county seat in western Kansas near the Colorado border. The town is the administrative center of Hamilton County, with the courthouse and city hall along Main Street, and the surrounding area is agricultural with sandhills south of the Arkansas River. The community has been essentially flat in population for the past two decades, with no major new housing developments or growth initiatives publicly identified. Housing values in the area sit well below national benchmarks and have declined recently, and the typical home is affordable relative to national income measures. The school is part of the Syracuse district, which serves the whole community. No recent district-level changes with lasting impact for parents were found in available sources.
The school enrolls students from a mix of backgrounds. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with White students making up most of the remainder. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on English learner and special education identification was not available in the records reviewed.
On the Kansas Assessment Program tests for the school year ending in 2025, Syracuse Elem's proficiency rates in English language arts were roughly in the range of two-fifths of students or slightly below that across grades three through six, with the sixth grade showing a somewhat higher result. In mathematics, proficiency rates were around one-fifth to a bit over one-quarter of students across grades three through six. In science, which is tested only in fifth grade, nearly half of students scored at the proficient level or above. These results come from a year when Kansas changed its cut scores for both math and English language arts, so direct comparisons to prior years may not be straightforward. The school's overall proficiency picture was not placed relative to other districts because Hamilton County has only one district, making a county-level comparison not applicable.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism was also not available for this school.
Syracuse Elem occupies a single building on North Main Street in the town. The locale is low-density and car-dependent, consistent with a small rural Kansas town. Civic anchors include the Hamilton County Courthouse and the Syracuse Sand Dunes city park. No dedicated walkability score or transit system was found in public sources.
For families considering this school, the proficiency results in math and English language arts are below statewide averages, and a parent may want to discuss academic support and intervention strategies with the school. The science results, meanwhile, are a relative strength. The student population is diverse and economically disadvantaged at a high rate, which may shape the peer environment and the kinds of family engagement and support services the school prioritizes. The housing market is inexpensive and has seen recent price declines, which may matter for families planning to buy. The lack of recent district news or major policy changes means parents will want to ask directly about any upcoming shifts in curriculum, staffing, or programming. This is a small-town elementary school with a clear community identity and a student body that reflects the wider demographics of Syracuse, and its academic profile shows room for growth in core subjects while hitting a stronger note in science.
See more original research from School Decision →