For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 255 students in Smith County, KS.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Smith County, KS are Thunder Ridge Elementary School and Smith Center Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Smith County, KS public elementary school have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the Kansas public elementary school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 35% statewide average). Elementary schools in Smith County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Kansas public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Kansas public elementary school average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Smith County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Thunder Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
128 S Kansas Street
Kensington, KS 66951
(785) 476-3241
Kensington, KS 66951
(785) 476-3241
Gr: K-3 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #22.
Smith Center Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
216 South Jefferson
Smith Center, KS 66967
(785) 282-6614
Smith Center, KS 66967
(785) 282-6614
Gr: PK-6 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Smith County, KS?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Smith County, KS include Thunder Ridge Elementary School and Smith Center Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Smith County?
1 public elementary schools are located in Smith County.
What is the racial composition of students in Smith County?
Smith County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Kansas public elementary schools average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.