Cottonwood Elementary School

Summary:

Cottonwood Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Salina, Kansas, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 372 students. The school is part of the Salina School District, which is ranked 178 out of 266 districts in Kansas and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Cottonwood Elementary consistently ranks in the bottom half of Cottonwood Elementary Kansas elementary schools, with performance on state assessments (KAP) generally below the Salina district and Kansas state averages across all grades and subjects. However, the school performs relatively better for Hispanic and low socioeconomic status (SES) students, ranking in the top half of Kansas schools for these subgroups in recent years. Cottonwood Elementary has a very high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 81.94% to 82.78% over the past 3 years, significantly higher than the Salina district average.

Cottonwood Elementary's performance is generally lower than other elementary schools in the Salina district, such as Stewart Elementary and Meadowlark Ridge Elementary, which consistently rank in the top half of Kansas schools. However, Cottonwood outperforms some nearby schools, like Oakdale Elementary and Sunset Elementary, which also have high percentages of students from low-income families. The higher per-student spending at Cottonwood suggests that the school and district are investing resources to support student learning, and there may be opportunities to further optimize the use of these resources.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 215 S Phillips
       Salina, KS  67401


(785) 309-4600

District: Salina

SchoolDigger Rank:
340th of 653 Kansas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,523 Help


Students who attend Cottonwood Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Lakewood Middle School
High:    Salina High Central

Student/teacher ratio:  10.7 Help
Number of students:  317

Racial breakdown:

White:
47.6%
Hispanic:
29.0%
Two or more races:
19.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  83% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Cottonwood Elementary School ranks worse than 52.1% of elementary schools in Kansas. It also ranks 3rd among 8 ranked elementary schools in the Salina School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 48.81. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Cottonwood Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (47.6%), Hispanic (29%), two or more races (19.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 83% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Cottonwood Elementary School is 10.7, which is the lowest among 8 elementary schools in the Salina School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Cottonwood Elementary School employs 29.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cottonwood Elementary School is $12,523, which is the 4th highest among 8 elementary schools in the Salina School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Cottonwood Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Cottonwood Elementary School 340th of 653 Kansas public elementary schools. (See Cottonwood Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Salina:

SchoolDigger ranks Salina 178th of 266 Kansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Cottonwood Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Cottonwood Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 40.64 402nd 585 31.3%
2007 45.43 411th 600 31.5%
2008 36.50 461st 614 24.9%
2009 14.97 570th 621 8.2%
2010 27.37 535th 630 15.1%
2011 35.13 502nd 631 20.4%
2012 14.30 607th 660 8.0%
2013 23.99 565th 668 15.4%
2015 38.66 463rd 678 31.7%
2016 52.42 314th 656 52.1%
2017 37.90 433rd 659 34.3%
2018 23.51 537th 656 18.1%
2019 20.70 555th 667 16.8%
2021 23.41 548th 670 18.2%
2022 20.96 551st 668 17.5%
2023 31.51 481st 660 27.1%
2024 48.81 340th 653 47.9%
See the entire list of Kansas Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Cottonwood Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.66 132nd 140 5.7%
2019 27.67 155th 193 19.7%
2021 22.81 181st 214 15.4%
2022 23.82 247th 305 19.0%
2023 26.73 233rd 296 21.3%
2024 28.78 219th 306 28.4%
See the entire list of Best Kansas Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Cottonwood Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 38.05 360th 512 29.7%
2019 39.82 328th 509 35.6%
2021 42.83 298th 494 39.7%
2022 39.68 336th 512 34.4%
2023 50.62 251st 541 53.6%
2024 67.35 122nd 546 77.7%
See the entire list of Best Kansas Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Cottonwood Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.10 481st 574 16.2%
2019 18.82 503rd 591 14.9%
2021 24.19 482nd 591 18.4%
See the entire list of Best Kansas Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Cottonwood Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.66 132nd 140 5.7%
2019 27.67 155th 193 19.7%
2021 22.81 181st 214 15.4%
See the entire list of Best Kansas Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Cottonwood Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.03 455th 575 20.9%
2019 27.79 450th 586 23.2%
2021 26.23 477th 605 21.2%
See the entire list of Best Kansas Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Cottonwood Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 52.83 87th 207 58.0%
2019 44.12 126th 235 46.4%
2021 44.41 128th 229 44.1%
2022 40.58 161st 254 36.6%
2023 45.23 123rd 245 49.8%
2024 69.60 52nd 260 80.0%
See the entire list of Best Kansas Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Cottonwood Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 18.14 520th 574 9.4%
2019 15.70 540th 592 8.8%
2021 16.93 537th 587 8.5%
2022 24.23 500th 596 16.1%
2023 27.65 458th 584 21.6%
2024 44.15 334th 579 42.3%
See the entire list of Best Kansas Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Kansas State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Cottonwood Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Kansas State Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Cottonwood Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 260 18 4 17 0 n/a n/a 0 299
1989 271 24 2 23 0 n/a n/a 0 320
1990 290 23 2 15 2 n/a n/a 0 332
1991 281 26 3 17 0 n/a n/a 0 327
1992 294 26 8 16 0 n/a n/a 0 344
1993 269 20 5 20 0 n/a n/a 0 314
1994 304 22 6 11 0 n/a n/a 0 343
1995 320 24 2 15 3 n/a n/a 0 364
1996 320 24 2 15 3 n/a n/a 0 364
1997 436 33 7 19 9 n/a n/a 0 504
1998 410 32 9 23 6 n/a n/a 0 480
1999 419 30 6 41 5 n/a n/a 0 501
2000 430 49 3 55 3 n/a n/a 0 540
2001 389 48 0 63 3 n/a n/a 0 503
2002 337 68 2 67 7 n/a n/a 0 481
2003 337 68 2 67 7 n/a n/a 0 481
2004 279 22 8 63 5 n/a n/a 44 421
2005 269 26 8 66 4 n/a n/a 69 442
2006 358 39 5 110 6 n/a n/a 85 603
2007 263 48 2 73 8 n/a n/a 3 397
2008 263 54 4 80 6 n/a n/a 2 409
2009 279 41 4 79 9 n/a n/a 6 418
2010 248 1 0 96 1 0 65 0 411
2011 261 54 2 80 13 1 0 0 411
2012 243 54 3 87 9 0 1 0 397
2013 271 23 0 90 1 0 33 0 418
2014 229 25 1 78 0 1 46 0 380
2015 252 26 1 93 0 0 61 0 433
2016 255 24 1 110 0 0 54 0 444
2017 263 19 1 119 0 0 48 0 450
2018 303 24 1 119 1 0 54 0 502
2019 252 26 2 121 0 0 62 0 463
2020 217 32 2 101 0 0 63 0 415
2021 197 24 3 100 1 0 57 0 382
2022 199 21 2 100 1 0 66 0 389
2023 190 22 2 92 1 0 65 0 372
2024 151 9 1 92 1 0 63 0 317

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Cottonwood Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 299 15.0 19.9 0
1989 320 17.0 18.8 n/a
1990 332 18.0 18.4 0
1991 327 19.3 16.9 n/a
1992 344 18.0 19.1 53.5
1993 314 19.0 16.5 47.5
1994 343 21.4 16.0 56.6
1995 364 22.0 16.5 71.4
1996 364 22.0 16.5 71.4
1997 504 31.3 16.1 71.2
1998 480 31.6 15.2 74.2
1999 501 33.2 15.1 74.9
2000 540 37.8 14.3 77.8
2001 503 34.5 14.6 76.9
2002 481 33.2 14.5 78.2
2003 481 33.2 14.5 78.2
2004 421 28.7 14.7 85.9
2005 442 29.5 15.0 94.9
2006 603 31.7 19.0 73.6
2007 397 32.6 12.2 81
2008 409 32.1 12.7 81.1
2009 418 31.4 13.3 84.7
2010 411 32.8 12.5 86.9
2011 411 34.5 11.9 86.4
2012 397 35.4 11.2 85.1
2013 418 32.3 12.9 86.8
2014 380 32.3 11.7 85
2015 433 31.0 13.9 85.9
2016 444 32.0 13.8 86.7
2017 450 34.2 13.1 85.6
2018 502 34.4 14.5 82.1
2019 463 35.2 13.1 78.2
2020 415 32.3 12.8 81.7
2021 382 33.1 11.5 81.9
2022 389 34.0 11.4 82.8
2023 372 32.8 11.3 82
2024 317 29.6 10.7 83

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Cottonwood Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 299 15.0 19.9 0
1989 320 17.0 18.8 n/a
1990 332 18.0 18.4 0
1991 327 19.3 16.9 n/a
1992 344 18.0 19.1 53.5
1993 314 19.0 16.5 47.5
1994 343 21.4 16.0 56.6
1995 364 22.0 16.5 71.4
1996 364 22.0 16.5 71.4
1997 504 31.3 16.1 71.2
1998 480 31.6 15.2 74.2
1999 501 33.2 15.1 74.9
2000 540 37.8 14.3 77.8
2001 503 34.5 14.6 76.9
2002 481 33.2 14.5 78.2
2003 481 33.2 14.5 78.2
2004 421 28.7 14.7 85.9
2005 442 29.5 15.0 94.9
2006 603 31.7 19.0 73.6
2007 397 32.6 12.2 81
2008 409 32.1 12.7 81.1
2009 418 31.4 13.3 84.7
2010 411 32.8 12.5 86.9
2011 411 34.5 11.9 86.4
2012 397 35.4 11.2 85.1
2013 418 32.3 12.9 86.8
2014 380 32.3 11.7 85
2015 433 31.0 13.9 85.9
2016 444 32.0 13.8 86.7
2017 450 34.2 13.1 85.6
2018 502 34.4 14.5 82.1
2019 463 35.2 13.1 78.2
2020 415 32.3 12.8 81.7
2021 382 33.1 11.5 81.9
2022 389 34.0 11.4 82.8
2023 372 32.8 11.3 82
2024 317 29.6 10.7 83

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Cottonwood Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $3,413 (27.3%) $9,111 (72.8%) $12,523

Data source: Kansas Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Cottonwood Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 555th of 667 Elementary schoolsRanks 481st of 660 Elementary schools
 10.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cottonwood Elementary School)20.713.2
 7.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Salina)27.931
 3.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Kansas)40.638.1
 2.5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Cottonwood Elementary School)24.430.2
 5.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Salina)35.540.4
 4.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Kansas)50.350.4
 0.2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Cottonwood Elementary School)34.838
 3.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Salina)35.241.3
 6.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Kansas)47.642.8
 4.8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Cottonwood Elementary School)21.738
 16.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Salina)23.539.4
 15.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Kansas)36.137.6
 1.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Cottonwood Elementary School)30.336.8
 6.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Salina)38.333.4
 4.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Kansas)43.539.6
 4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Cottonwood Elementary School)25.824.1
 1.6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Salina)28.430.7
 2.4%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Kansas)31.931.3
 0.6%
5th Grade Science (Cottonwood Elementary School)29.729.3
 0.4%
   5th Grade Science (Salina)33.533.3
 0.2%
   5th Grade Science (Kansas)43.142.1
 1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students463372
 19.7%
African American2622
 15.4%
American Indian01
Asian22
Hispanic12192
 24%
Pacific Islander00
White252190
 24.6%
Two or More Races6265
 4.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients78.2%82%
 3.8%


Schools Near Cottonwood Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Cottonwood Elementary School

Students who attend Cottonwood Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Lakewood Middle School
High : Salina High Central

Cottonwood Elementary School ranks 340th of 653 Kansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Cottonwood Elementary School are 48% White, 29% Hispanic, 20% Two or more races, 3% African American.

In the 2023-24 school year, 317 students attended Cottonwood Elementary School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Kansas State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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