Best Public Schools in Topeka, KS

The city of Topeka, Kansas is home to 42 schools across 4 different school districts: Auburn-Washburn, Seaman, Shawnee Heights, and Topeka Public Schools. The schools serve a range of grade levels, including 25 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 8 high schools, and 1 alternative school.

Among the standout schools in Topeka are Jay Shideler Elementary and Elmont Elementary, which consistently rank among the top elementary schools in the state with exceptional test scores. At the high school level, Washburn Rural High and Seaman High are the top performers, with strong academic results placing them in the top 35% of Kansas high schools.

However, the data also reveals significant disparities in school performance across the Topeka area. The Topeka Public Schools district consistently underperforms, with many of its schools ranking in the bottom 25% of Kansas schools and struggling with low test scores and high poverty rates. In contrast, the Auburn-Washburn and Seaman districts appear to be outperforming the Topeka district overall, with more schools in the top half of state rankings.