Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Elementary Schools in Cherokee County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Cherokee County Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public elementary schools serving 2,109 students in Cherokee County, KS.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Cherokee County, KS are Central Elementary School, Southeast Elementary School and Galena Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cherokee County, KS public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Kansas public elementary school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 35% statewide average). Elementary schools in Cherokee County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Kansas public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Kansas public elementary school average of 40% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Elementary Schools in Cherokee County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1501 Park Ave
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3311
Gr: 3-6 | 223 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #22.
Southeast Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
303 S Humbert
Weir, KS 66781
(620) 396-8211
Gr: PK-4 | 149 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #33.
Galena Middle School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
624 East 8th Street
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Gr: 6-8 | 174 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #44.
Riverton Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
7166 Se 70th
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-4078
Gr: PK-5 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #55.
Liberty Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
624 E. 8th Street
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Gr: 3-5 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #66.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
810 S High School Avenue
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3943
Gr: 2-6 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #77.
Riverton Middle School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
7144 Se 70th
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-3355
Gr: 6-8 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: n/an/a
Lincoln Elementary School
801 Lincoln
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3322
Gr: PK-2 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: n/an/a
Park Elementary School
724 E Garfield Street
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3905
Gr: PK-1 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: n/an/a
Spring Grove Primary Center
1900 Galena Ave.
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Gr: PK-2 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 29%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Cherokee County, KS?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Cherokee County, KS include Central Elementary School, Southeast Elementary School and Galena Middle School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Cherokee County?
11 public elementary schools are located in Cherokee County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cherokee County?
Cherokee County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Kansas public elementary schools average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Cherokee County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (KS):
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes
School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
 10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
 Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes

More Articles

Teaching
Opinion
Evaluating Public Schools
Scholarships
About Public Schools