The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in English language arts. The lowest is 36% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lincoln Elem
Lincoln Elem is a K-5 public school in Wellington, Kansas, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. As part of the Wellington school district, it sits in the county seat of Sumner County, a small agricultural-region trade center known historically as the “Wheat Capital of the World.” The town has seen a gradual population decline over recent decades, and the school reflects that modest scale: enrollment is small for its grade band, with around the same number of students in each elementary year.
The student body is predominantly white, with a notable share of Hispanic students and smaller portions of students who identify as multiracial, Black, or Native American. A substantial majority of students come from households with low income, as measured by free- or reduced-price meal eligibility. This level of economic need is a key context for understanding the school’s academic results. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those programs and supports.
On state assessments, performance varies by grade and subject. In English language arts, third graders showed a stronger proficiency rate, while fourth and fifth graders were lower. In math, the pattern was similar: the highest proficiency was in third grade, dropping each year to a noticeably lower rate by fifth grade. Science, tested only in fifth grade, fell between the math and ELA marks for that grade. Because Kansas recently changed cut scores for these assessments, the results cannot be directly compared to prior years’ data, so it is not possible to say whether scores are trending up or down. Participation rates for testing were not reported, which is worth noting. Across all tested grades and subjects, the school’s overall proficiency index sits above the midpoint among districts in Sumner County, a modest plus relative to its immediate neighbors.
The school serves only elementary grades, so there is no graduation rate or secondary-level data to report. No information was provided about specific programs such as gifted education, specials, or after-school offerings. The district brief turned up no recent major changes like bond issues, school closures, or curriculum overhauls—routine operational items were found, but nothing that would shift the academic direction noticeably. A parent looking to understand the school’s extracurricular or enrichment landscape would need to inquire further.
Housing in the area is affordable relative to national benchmarks. The typical home value in the zip code is well below the state median, and estimated monthly mortgage costs are modest. The local economy is tied to winter wheat agriculture, railroads, petroleum, and aircraft parts manufacturing, with the city’s population having contracted over recent decades. The community has a traditional downtown with a Carnegie library, a museum, and annual festivals, but no major new residential development was identified in available sources.
For a family considering Lincoln Elem, the picture is that of a small, economically challenged elementary school in a shrinking rural county seat. Academically, it performs around the middle of the pack in its county, with some grade-level results that are stronger and others that are weaker—particularly the fifth-grade numbers, which a parent may want to explore further with the school. The setting is quiet and low-cost, with limited growth pressure, and the district appears stable in recent years with no major disruptions on the horizon.
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