Total enrollment
1,702
+773 (+83%) vs SY 2020-21
Ellsworth County
Kansas · Public K-12
Of the 7 public K-12 schools in Ellsworth County, the largest district by enrollment is Central Plains (1,073 students). Total county enrollment runs around 1,702. By grade band, the county runs 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
4-year change in Ellsworth County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Ellsworth County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Kansas | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,702 | #41 of 61 | #2,365 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 6 | #55 of 61 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 11.3:1 | #10 of 61 | #349 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 39.3% | #53 of 61 | #2,132 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 42.8% | #25 of 60 | #1,385 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.
Residents
6,360
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
7
2 districts
Enrollment
1,702
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$65,560
Below Kansas avg
Free/reduced lunch
39.3%
Below Kansas avg
Elementary
3
491 students
Middle
1
141 students
High
2
1,070 students
Combined / other
1
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Central Plains
1,073 students · 2 districts in Ellsworth County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Ellsworth 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+
22.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
7.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.6%
civilian labor
Median age
44
17.6% under 18
Test scores in Ellsworth County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. Kansas state average: 44.5%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Central Plains Elementary School - Holyrood· 66.4%
- Ellsworth Elem· 63.3%
- Wilson Elementary School· 52.4%
- Kanopolis Middle· 45.3%
- Ellsworth High· 34.9%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Plains Adult Diploma Program | Claflin | High | 09-12 | 770 | · |
| Ellsworth High | Ellsworth | High | 07-12 | 300 | · |
| Central Plains Elementary School - Holyrood | Holyrood | Elementary | PK-06 | 229 | · |
| Ellsworth Elem | Ellsworth | Elementary | PK-03 | 188 | · |
| Kanopolis Middle | Kanopolis | Middle | 04-06 | 141 | · |
| Wilson Elementary School | Wilson | Elementary | PK-06 | 74 | · |
| Wilson Junior/Senior High School | Wilson | Combined | M-M | · | · |
Cities in Ellsworth County
About Ellsworth County
Ellsworth County is a sparse county of about 6,360 residents in Kansas. Its public-school system enrolls approximately 1,702 students across 7 schools.
Zooming out, census numbers show the median household earns about $65,560 a year, about 23% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and roughly 8% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Ellsworth County spans 3 elementary schools (491 students), 1 middle school (141), 2 high schools (1,070), and 1 combined or other schools.
The largest single district in Ellsworth County is Central Plains, which alone enrolls about 1,073 students.
Trend over the past 4 years. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment rose 83%: 929 students in SY 2020-21 versus 1,702 in SY 2024-25.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Ellsworth County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data