The top reported proficiency rate is 36% in Science. The lowest is 21% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Scott Dual Language Magnet
Scott Dual Language Magnet is a pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade school in the Topeka Public Schools district. Its magnet designation signals a focused program, and the school’s name makes clear that dual-language instruction in both English and Spanish is central to the academic model. For families actively seeking a bilingual elementary pathway, this school represents the primary option within the district’s magnet lineup.
The student body is moderate in size for an elementary school and is predominantly Hispanic or Latino, with much smaller shares of white students and students who identify with two or more races. A very large share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school in a high-poverty context. This demographic profile is consistent with a dual-language program drawing families who value native-language support and bilingual development. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the same detail, so the precise level of special education or language-support services is not reported here.
Academically, state assessment results across math, English language arts, and science show that the majority of students did not reach the proficient bar in the most recent year. Performance varies by grade and subject. In third-grade reading, a modest share of students met the state proficiency standard, while fourth-grade reading was lower, and fifth-grade reading returned to a similar level as third grade. Math results were weaker across all tested grades, with only a small share of students scoring proficient or above. Science, tested only in fifth grade, showed a share of students reaching proficiency that was a bit higher than math but still below a majority. When the school’s overall proficiency is compared with other school districts in Shawnee County, the result places Scott in the bottom quartile. These are the most recent results available; Kansas changed its math and reading cut scores for this assessment cycle, so direct trend comparisons with prior years are not possible.
Topeka itself is the state capital, with a downtown anchored by the Kansas State Capitol and civic institutions such as Gage Park and the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. The local economy draws on government, manufacturing, and agriculture. Housing costs in the area are modest compared with state and national benchmarks; the real estate market has seen some softening recently. The city’s population has been relatively stable with a slight decline in recent years, which means enrollment pressures from rapid growth are not a factor for families choosing a school here.
As a school within Topeka Public Schools, Scott Dual Language Magnet sits inside a district that has invested in a range of magnet and signature campuses, including options themed around science and fine arts, performing arts, leadership, and STEAM. The district has also publicly reported a multi-year improvement in its high school graduation rate, a point that may matter to families looking ahead to their child’s later schooling years. Information about the magnet application process, transportation, and whether the program serves students from outside the immediate neighborhood was not available in the data reviewed, so interested parents should confirm those logistics directly with the school or district.
Scott Dual Language Magnet offers a clear academic identity: dual-language immersion from early grades. The school serves a predominantly low-income, Hispanic student body in a stable capital city with affordable housing. Academic proficiency scores are low relative to other districts in the county, which is a soft spot any family would want to investigate further with school staff – understanding how the program addresses both language acquisition and core academic skills can help a parent decide whether this environment fits their child’s needs.
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