Total enrollment
5,714
+21 (+0%) vs SY 2020-21
Cowley County
Kansas · Public K-12
Cowley County in Kansas has 22 public K-12 schools in service today, collectively responsible for roughly 5,714 students with Arkansas City the largest district. By level, that breaks down as 13 elementary, 3 middle, and 6 high schools.
4-year change in Cowley County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
22
+1 (+5%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Cowley County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Kansas | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 27.8% | #52 of 57 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 5,714 | #16 of 61 | #1,200 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 22 | #11 of 61 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.9:1 | #41 of 61 | #858 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 58.8% | #16 of 61 | #1,163 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 52.2% | #11 of 60 | #992 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Cowley County school rankings
Residents
34,411
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
22
5 districts
Enrollment
5,714
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$57,878
Below Kansas avg
Free/reduced lunch
58.8%
Above Kansas avg
Elementary
13
2,629 students
Middle
3
1,150 students
High
6
1,935 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Arkansas City
2,902 students · 5 districts in Cowley County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Cowley County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
24.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
11.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.9%
civilian labor
Median age
39
23.6% under 18
Test scores in Cowley County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 20 schools ranked. Kansas state average: 44.5%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Dexter Elem· 77.4%
- Dexter High· 51.2%
- C 4 Elem· 51.1%
- Udall Middle School· 49.3%
- Lowell Elem· 48.7%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Frances Willard Elem· 24.3%
- Arkansas City High· 25.7%
- Winfield High· 29.2%
- Winfield Middle School· 31.4%
- Country View Elem· 31.5%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas City High | Arkansas City | High | 09-12 | 885 | · |
| Winfield High | Winfield | High | 09-12 | 638 | · |
| Arkansas City Middle Sch | Arkansas City | Middle | 06-08 | 628 | · |
| Winfield Middle School | Winfield | Middle | 06-08 | 456 | · |
| Adams Elem | Arkansas City | Elementary | PK-05 | 306 | · |
| Frances Willard Elem | Arkansas City | Elementary | PK-05 | 281 | · |
| Jefferson Elem | Arkansas City | Elementary | PK-05 | 261 | · |
| Whittier Elem | Winfield | Elementary | PK-05 | 259 | · |
| Irving Elem | Winfield | Elementary | PK-05 | 234 | · |
| Roosevelt Elem | Arkansas City | Elementary | PK-05 | 219 | · |
| Lowell Elem | Winfield | Elementary | PK-05 | 214 | · |
| I X L Elem | Arkansas City | Elementary | PK-05 | 200 | · |
| Central Elem | Burden | Elementary | PK-06 | 162 | · |
| Dexter High | Dexter | High | 06-12 | 157 | · |
| Central Jr-Sr High | Burden | High | 07-12 | 139 | · |
| Dexter Elem | Dexter | Elementary | PK-05 | 134 | · |
| Udall Elem | Udall | Elementary | PK-05 | 123 | · |
| C 4 Elem | Arkansas City | Elementary | PK-05 | 122 | · |
| Country View Elem | Winfield | Elementary | PK-05 | 114 | · |
| Udall High | Udall | High | 09-12 | 112 | · |
| Udall Middle School | Udall | Middle | 06-08 | 66 | · |
| Udall Virtual School | Udall | High | 06-12 | 4 | · |
Cities in Cowley County
About Cowley County
In Kansas, Cowley County is a thinly populated county of about 34,411 residents. 22 public schools across the county instructs about 5,714 students between them.
In context, census numbers show the median household earns about $57,878 a year, roughly 25% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 12%. That income level is 13% below the Kansas median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Cowley County is made up of 13 elementary schools (2,629 students), 3 middle schools (1,150), and 6 high schools (1,935).
Arkansas City is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 2,902 students across Cowley County.
Over the past 4-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Cowley County has remained close to its prior level since SY 2020-21, moving from about 5,693 students to 5,714. Cowley County now counts 22 public schools, up from 21 in SY 2020-21.
On allk12, the community for Cowley County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data