The top reported proficiency rate is 20% in English language arts. The lowest is 10% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Ross Elementary
Ross Elementary is a pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade school in the Topeka Public Schools district in Kansas’s capital city. It operates as a traditional neighborhood elementary school, not a charter or magnet, though the district’s broader system includes several magnet and signature campuses that families can apply to, and Ross Elementary itself is listed among the district’s signature campuses with a music theme. For a family considering this school, the key characteristics are clear: a diverse, high-poverty student body, academic achievement that lags behind state averages, and a setting within a stable but modestly shrinking city that has a strong set of civic institutions.
The student body is economically diverse in the sense that a very substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a figure that places the school among those serving a heavily low-income population. Racially and ethnically, the enrollment is predominantly Hispanic and Black, with smaller shares of white students and students of two or more races, along with very small numbers of American Indian, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students. This composition reflects the southeast Topeka neighborhood the school serves.
Academic performance, as measured by the state’s Kansas Assessment Program, is low across all tested subjects and grade levels. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above declines sharply from third to fifth grade, with fifth grade showing a particularly small proportion reaching that bar. In English language arts, the results are somewhat higher but still low, with the best performance in third grade. Science results, tested only in fifth grade, also show a very small share of students meeting proficiency. When placed in context, the school’s overall proficiency across all tested subjects and grades sits in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Shawnee County. A parent looking at these results should understand that this is a school where a large majority of students are not yet meeting grade-level academic benchmarks, and this may be a significant factor in school choice. There are no multi-year trend data available to see whether these scores are improving or declining, so a parent may want to ask the school or district directly about recent progress.
Topeka itself is a mid-sized city that serves as the state capital, with a government-centered economy supplemented by manufacturing and agriculture. The city’s population has experienced a slight decline in recent years, and the housing market in the area around the school reflects a relatively affordable market, with home values and rents that are below the national and state benchmarks. The estimated monthly mortgage costs and rents are low compared to national averages, which could make this an accessible area for families purchasing or renting a home.
The Topeka Public Schools district has publicly reported that its graduation rate has improved over the most recent span of years, though this applies to the district’s high schools and is not directly relevant to Ross Elementary’s elementary-aged students. The district also offers a set of magnet programs and signature campuses, including a dual-language magnet, a science and arts magnet, and themed campuses for music, performing arts, leadership, STEAM, and fine arts. Ross Elementary’s designation as a music-themed signature campus means the school likely has a curricular focus in that area, though specific program details are not provided in the available data beyond the label itself. A family drawn to a music-focused elementary experience might find this a compelling option, while a family seeking intensive academic acceleration in math or reading may want to explore those magnet offerings elsewhere in the district.
The school environment data, including discipline rates, course access beyond standard elementary curriculum, staffing ratios, and attendance patterns, are all absent from the available information. Similarly, information on special education and English learner populations is missing. These are common gaps for elementary schools that do not report those details in the same way high schools do, but a parent considering Ross Elementary should feel comfortable asking the school administration for specifics on class sizes, teacher experience, special education services, and support for English language learners. The school serves a population where a substantial share of students may need those supports, so clarity on what is available matters.
For a family already living in southeast Topeka, Ross Elementary is the neighborhood elementary school, and the housing market in that area is affordable by national standards. For a family weighing a move to the area, the overall picture is of a school that serves a high-needs population and where state test scores are low, but which sits within a district that has some specialized elementary options and a music-focused identity at this particular campus. The city offers a stable, small-city capital environment with recognizable civic anchors such as the Kansas State Capitol, the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, and Gage Park with its zoo and children’s discovery center. The fit is for a family who values a neighborhood school with a music emphasis and who will be active in supporting their child’s learning at home, given the academic challenges the school faces.
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