Elementary Schools in Independence

The elementary schools in Independence, Kansas serve students from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. The data provided focuses on two schools in this area: Eisenhower Elementary and Jefferson School.

While both schools serve a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with over 70% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, Jefferson School stands out for its stronger academic performance. In the 2023-2024 school year, Jefferson School outperformed the Independence district and Kansas state averages in the percentage of students proficient or better in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science across multiple grade levels. Additionally, Jefferson School has consistently maintained a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger, placing it in the top half of Kansas elementary schools.

In contrast, Eisenhower Elementary has a similar high rate of free and reduced-price lunch recipients, but its academic performance is not as strong as Jefferson School's. The spending per student and student-teacher ratios are relatively comparable between the two schools, suggesting that factors beyond funding and resources may be contributing to the performance differences. Identifying and addressing the specific challenges in areas like Mathematics could help Eisenhower Elementary improve student outcomes and better support its economically disadvantaged student population.