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Liberal School District

Item: Liberal School District
Rating: 1
Author: Public School Review

7 Parkway Blvd
Liberal, KS 67901

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (620) 604-1010

www.usd480.net

Top Rankings

Liberal School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Kansas for:

Overview

This School District

This State (KS)

# Schools

8 Schools

991 Schools

# Students

4,653 Students

318,353 Students

# Teachers

319 Teachers

23,366 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

15:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Liberal School District	Kansas
Pre-K	250	74
Kind	319	108
1	358	110
2	342	114
3	340	119
4	305	116
5	330	119
6	306	120
7	377	91
8	305	90

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District Rank

Liberal School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 286 school districts in Kansas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 90% has increased from 82% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (KS)

#286 out of 286 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Liberal School District
2023	#286
2022	#285
2021	#286
2019	#285
2018	#271
2017	#283
2016	#276
2015	#269
2014	#259
2013	#259
2012	#264

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11%

31%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Liberal School District	Kansas
2023	11%	31%
2022	8%	29%
2021	7%	28%
2019	12%	33%
2018	16%	33%
2017	16%	34%
2016	17%	35%
2015	17%	33%
2013	72%	77%
2012	78%	84%
2011	76%	84%

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11%

32%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Liberal School District	Kansas
2022	11%	32%
2021	14%	36%
2019	16%	37%
2018	16%	37%
2017	19%	38%
2016	24%	41%
2015	27%	42%
2013	80%	84%
2012	83%	86%
2011	81%	87%
2010	75%	85%

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11%

31%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Liberal School District	Kansas
2022	11%	31%
2021	13%	35%

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90%

89%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Liberal School District	Kansas
2023	90%	89%
2022	88%	89%
2021	88%	86%
2020	83%	87%
2019	80%	86%
2018	82%	86%
2017	87%	85%
2016	90%	85%
2015	89%	85%
2014	85%	85%
2013	89%	85%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.24

0.58

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Liberal School District	Kansas
2024	0.30	0.58
2023	0.31	0.57
2022	0.33	0.56
2021	0.32	0.56
2020	0.33	0.55
2019	0.33	0.55
2018	0.37	0.54
2017	0.37	0.54
2016	0.35	0.54
2015	0.38	0.54
2014	0.40	0.53
2013	0.42	0.53
2012	0.43	0.52
2011	0.44	0.51
2010	0.47	0.49
2009	0.47	0.47
2008	0.48	0.45
2007	0.49	0.45
2006	0.50	0.42
2005	0.52	0.44
2004	0.53	0.42
2003	0.54	0.39
2002	0.56	0.38
2001	0.58	0.36
2000	0.59	0.34
1999	0.60	0.34
1998	0.60	0.33
1997	0.60	0.32
1996	0.60	0.31
1995	0.59	0.31
1994	0.58	0.29
1993	0.57	0.28
1992	0.55	0.28
1991	0.55	0.27
1990	0.55	0.25
1989	0.54	0.26
1988	0.52	0.26

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% American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1990-2014)
Year	Liberal School District	Kansas
2014	1%	1%
2013	1%	1%
2012	2%	2%
2011	1%	2%
2010	2%	1%
2001	1%	1%
2000	1%	1%
1999	1%	1%
1996	1%	1%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%
1992	1%	1%
1990	1%	1%

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% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Liberal School District	Kansas
2024	3%	3%
2023	3%	3%
2022	3%	3%
2021	4%	3%
2020	4%	3%
2019	4%	3%
2018	4%	3%
2017	4%	3%
2016	3%	3%
2015	3%	3%
2014	3%	3%
2013	3%	3%
2012	3%	3%
2011	3%	3%
2010	3%	2%
2009	5%	3%
2008	3%	3%
2007	3%	3%
2006	4%	2%
2005	5%	3%
2004	4%	3%
2003	4%	2%
2002	4%	2%
2001	4%	2%
2000	4%	2%
1999	4%	2%
1998	4%	2%
1997	4%	2%
1996	4%	2%
1995	4%	2%
1994	3%	2%
1993	3%	2%
1992	3%	2%
1991	4%	2%
1990	4%	1%
1989	5%	2%
1988	6%	2%

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% Hispanic

87%

23%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Liberal School District	Kansas
2024	79%	22%
2023	79%	21%
2022	77%	21%
2021	78%	20%
2020	77%	20%
2019	77%	20%
2018	72%	19%
2017	72%	19%
2016	79%	19%
2015	77%	19%
2014	76%	18%
2013	74%	18%
2012	73%	17%
2011	72%	16%
2010	70%	16%
2009	69%	14%
2008	68%	13%
2007	67%	13%
2006	66%	12%
2005	64%	12%
2004	63%	11%
2003	61%	10%
2002	58%	10%
2001	52%	9%
2000	50%	8%
1999	47%	8%
1998	46%	7%
1997	42%	7%
1996	39%	6%
1995	35%	6%
1994	32%	5%
1993	28%	5%
1992	25%	5%
1991	24%	4%
1990	22%	4%
1989	20%	4%
1988	18%	4%

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% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Liberal School District	Kansas
2024	3%	7%
2023	3%	7%
2022	4%	6%
2021	4%	7%
2020	3%	7%
2019	3%	7%
2018	3%	7%
2017	3%	7%
2016	1%	7%
2015	2%	7%
2014	2%	7%
2013	2%	7%
2012	2%	7%
2011	3%	7%
2010	3%	8%
2009	4%	9%
2008	5%	9%
2007	5%	9%
2006	5%	9%
2005	4%	9%
2004	5%	9%
2003	5%	9%
2002	5%	9%
2001	5%	9%
2000	6%	9%
1999	6%	9%
1998	6%	9%
1997	6%	8%
1996	6%	9%
1995	7%	8%
1994	8%	8%
1993	9%	8%
1992	9%	8%
1991	10%	8%
1990	10%	8%
1989	10%	8%
1988	9%	8%

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% White

60%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Liberal School District	Kansas
2024	11%	61%
2023	11%	62%
2022	12%	63%
2021	11%	63%
2020	12%	64%
2019	12%	64%
2018	15%	65%
2017	15%	65%
2016	15%	65%
2015	16%	65%
2014	17%	66%
2013	18%	67%
2012	19%	67%
2011	19%	68%
2010	20%	69%
2009	22%	71%
2008	24%	73%
2007	25%	73%
2006	25%	75%
2005	27%	74%
2004	28%	75%
2003	30%	77%
2002	33%	78%
2001	38%	79%
2000	39%	80%
1999	42%	80%
1998	44%	81%
1997	48%	82%
1996	50%	82%
1995	54%	83%
1994	56%	84%
1993	59%	84%
1992	62%	84%
1991	62%	85%
1990	63%	86%
1989	65%	85%
1988	66%	85%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2010-2024)
Year	Liberal School District	Kansas
2024	4%	6%
2023	4%	6%
2022	4%	6%
2021	3%	6%
2020	3%	5%
2019	3%	5%
2018	4%	5%
2017	4%	5%
2016	2%	5%
2015	2%	5%
2014	1%	5%
2013	2%	4%
2012	1%	4%
2011	2%	4%
2010	2%	4%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $15,549 in this school district is less than the state median of $16,295. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $14,112 is less than the state median of $17,212. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

This School District

This State (KS)

Total Revenue

$72 MM

$7,774 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Liberal School District	Kansas
2023	$72 MM	$9 MM
2022	$71 MM	$9 MM
2021	$72 MM	$9 MM
2020	$71 MM	$9 MM
2019	$70 MM	$8 MM
2018	$70 MM	$8 MM
2017	$66 MM	$8 MM
2016	$60 MM	$8 MM
2015	$46 MM	$7 MM
2014	$50 MM	$7 MM
2012	$49 MM	$7 MM
2011	$48 MM	$7 MM
2010	$46 MM	$7 MM
2009	$46 MM	$7 MM
2008	$44 MM	$7 MM
2007	$42 MM	$7 MM
2006	$37 MM	$6 MM
2005	$34 MM	$6 MM
2004	$37 MM	$6 MM
2003	$34 MM	$5 MM
2002	$33 MM	$5 MM
2001	$31 MM	$5 MM
2000	$29 MM	$5 MM
1999	$28 MM	$5 MM
1998	$27 MM	$5 MM
1997	$23 MM	$4 MM
1996	$22 MM	$4 MM
1995	$23 MM	$4 MM

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Spending

$66 MM

$8,211 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Liberal School District	Kansas
2023	$66 MM	$9 MM
2022	$69 MM	$9 MM
2021	$66 MM	$9 MM
2020	$69 MM	$9 MM
2019	$68 MM	$8 MM
2018	$73 MM	$8 MM
2017	$103 MM	$8 MM
2016	$111 MM	$7 MM
2015	$45 MM	$7 MM
2014	$50 MM	$8 MM
2012	$48 MM	$7 MM
2011	$47 MM	$7 MM
2010	$45 MM	$7 MM
2009	$43 MM	$7 MM
2008	$43 MM	$6 MM
2007	$40 MM	$6 MM
2006	$36 MM	$6 MM
2005	$33 MM	$5 MM
2004	$35 MM	$5 MM
2003	$33 MM	$5 MM
2002	$32 MM	$5 MM
2001	$28 MM	$5 MM
2000	$26 MM	$4 MM
1999	$25 MM	$5 MM
1998	$23 MM	$4 MM
1997	$22 MM	$4 MM
1996	$21 MM	$4 MM
1995	$22 MM	$4 MM

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Revenue / Student

$15,549

$16,295

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Liberal School District	Kansas
2023	$15,529	$15,911
2022	$14,801	$16,697
2021	$15,533	$17,320
2020	$14,801	$16,697
2019	$14,217	$15,744
2018	$14,098	$15,467
2017	$13,245	$15,341
2016	$11,873	$14,640
2015	$9,054	$13,276
2014	$10,053	$13,122
2012	$10,168	$12,936
2011	$10,039	$12,861
2010	$9,732	$13,276
2009	$9,803	$12,944
2008	$9,518	$12,242
2007	$9,149	$11,412
2006	$8,320	$11,285
2005	$7,412	$9,664
2004	$8,019	$10,416
2003	$7,431	$9,484
2002	$7,274	$8,371
2001	$7,285	$8,463
2000	$6,879	$7,904
1999	$6,526	$7,649
1998	$6,247	$7,337
1997	$5,333	$6,957
1995	$5,385	$6,779
1992	$4,603	$5,351

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Spending / Student

$14,112

$17,212

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Liberal School District	Kansas
2023	$14,094	$16,765
2022	$14,563	$16,946
2021	$14,097	$18,249
2020	$14,563	$16,946
2019	$13,898	$15,141
2018	$14,598	$14,392
2017	$20,680	$14,791
2016	$22,054	$14,098
2015	$8,865	$12,850
2014	$10,014	$13,590
2012	$9,960	$12,639
2011	$9,771	$12,670
2010	$9,529	$12,850
2009	$9,174	$12,499
2008	$9,239	$11,520
2007	$8,702	$10,721
2006	$8,135	$10,879
2005	$7,133	$9,345
2004	$7,606	$9,605
2003	$7,148	$8,953
2002	$7,032	$8,130
2001	$6,560	$8,091
2000	$6,066	$7,535
1999	$5,739	$7,512
1998	$5,445	$7,184
1997	$5,109	$6,916
1995	$5,239	$6,698
1992	$4,506	$5,706

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Best Liberal School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Macarthur Elementary School

(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

925 South Holly
Liberal, KS 67905
(620) 604-1700

Gr: K-5 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 84%

Rank: #22.

Prairie View Elementary School

(Math: 22% | Reading: 15-19%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

615 Warren Avenue
Liberal, KS 67905
(620) 604-1800

Gr: K-5 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 95%

Rank: #33.

Sunflower Elementary School

(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

310 W. Pine
Liberal, KS 67905
(620) 604-2800

Gr: PK-5 | 570 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 92%

Rank: #44.

Eisenhower Middle School

(Math: 10% | Reading: 10%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

2000 N Western
Liberal, KS 67905
(620) 604-1400

Gr: 6-8 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 86%

Rank: #55.

Cottonwood Elementary School

(Math: 8% | Reading: 11%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1100 W. 11th
Liberal, KS 67905
(620) 604-2700

Gr: K-5 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 92%

Rank: #66.

Meadowlark Elementary School

(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1200 N Calvert
Liberal, KS 67905
(620) 604-2100

Gr: K-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 96%

Rank: #77.

Seymour Rogers Middle School

(Math: 6% | Reading: 8%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

721 Griffith
Liberal, KS 67905
(620) 604-1300

Gr: 6-8 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 93%

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 8 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 4,653 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Minority Enrollment: 91%
: 90% (Top 20% in KS)
: Bottom 50%
: 11% (Btm 50%)
: 11% (Btm 50%)
: 11% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), KS Dept. of Education