The top reported proficiency rate is 3% in Science. The lowest is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Southeast High School
Southeast High School is a regular public high school in Kansas City, Missouri, serving grades 9 through 12 as part of the Kansas City 33 district. Located in a major urban center, the school sits within a city known for its expansive footprint, historic boulevards, and a mix of commercial, industrial, and residential neighborhoods. The district itself regained full state accreditation in 2022 after a period of provisional status, a milestone that signaled sustained improvement and removed long-standing uncertainty for families about the district's standing.
The student body at Southeast is relatively small for a high school, with enrollment distributed across all four grade levels. The school serves a student population that is almost entirely low-income, with every student qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Demographically, the student body is predominantly Black, with a smaller share of Hispanic students and modest percentages of White students, students of two or more races, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students, and American Indian or Alaska Native students. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent would want to inquire directly about the special education and English language support offerings.
Academic performance at Southeast, based on the limited testing data available, shows very low proficiency rates. The most recent snapshot comes from the 2024-25 school year, which shows a single-year result for English language arts at a low level. The only other state test results are from 2016-17, when the school still served 8th graders; in math, no students tested proficient, and in science, a very small share reached proficiency. Because these results are several years old and for a different grade band, they may not reflect current high school performance, but the newer ELA figure suggests that foundational academic challenges remain. The school's proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Jackson County, indicating that it ranks among the lowest in overall academic achievement across the county's school systems.
A graduation rate was not provided for Southeast High School, so it is not possible to assess how many students complete high school on time. Chronic absenteeism data was also absent. These are significant gaps for a family evaluating the school; the school may report this information separately, and a parent considering enrollment should ask directly about graduation outcomes and attendance patterns.
The school offers no listed program details, such as Advanced Placement courses, career and technical education pathways, or dual-credit opportunities. Without this information, it is unclear what academic tracks or enrichment options are available beyond the standard curriculum.
Kansas City itself is a large, car-dependent city with walkable pockets downtown and in districts like the Country Club Plaza and River Market. Housing in the area around the school reflects a moderately priced market relative to national benchmarks. The school's neighborhood is within the broader urban fabric of Kansas City, where recent development has focused on downtown residential growth and streetcar expansion, though Southeast High School's immediate area may differ from those core districts.
For a family considering this school, the central picture is of a high-poverty urban high school with very low test performance and limited public data on graduation and attendance. The district's return to full accreditation is a positive context, but the school's own academic outcomes remain a serious concern. A parent would want to visit the school, speak with staff about available supports and programs, and look into any school-specific improvement efforts that may not appear in this data.
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