Total enrollment
3,123
-198 (-6%) vs SY 2017-18
Jefferson County
Kansas · Public K-12
Jefferson County's public schools total 14 across the county, with enrollment of about 3,123 and Jefferson West the largest single district. By level, that breaks down as 5 elementary, 3 middle, and 6 high schools.
7-year change in Jefferson County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
14
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
89%
was 91%
% Hispanic
5%
was 4%
% Black
1%
was 0%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
14
6 districts
Enrollment
3,123
NCES CCD
Median income
$81,278
Above Kansas avg
Free/reduced lunch
39.4%
Below Kansas avg
Elementary
5
1,396 students
Middle
3
601 students
High
6
1,126 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Jefferson West
843 students · 6 districts in Jefferson County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Jefferson 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+
24.6%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
3.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.4%
civilian labor
Median age
44
22.0% under 18
Test scores in Jefferson County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 14 schools ranked. Kansas state average: 44.5%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Jefferson West Elementary School· 62.4%
- Jefferson West Middle· 50.5%
- McLouth Elem· 49.1%
- Oskaloosa Elem· 47.5%
- Perry-Lecompton Middle· 42.4%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Oskaloosa JR-SR High School· 24.8%
- Valley Falls High· 28.6%
- Perry Lecompton High· 29.8%
- McLouth High· 30.5%
- McLouth Middle· 31.8%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County North Elem/Middle | Nortonville | Elementary | PK-08 | 338 | · |
| Jefferson West Elementary School | Meriden | Elementary | PK-04 | 320 | · |
| Jefferson West Middle | Meriden | Middle | 05-08 | 276 | · |
| Perry Lecompton High | Perry | High | 09-12 | 268 | · |
| Valley Falls Elem | Valley Falls | Elementary | PK-08 | 262 | · |
| Oskaloosa Elem | Oskaloosa | Elementary | PK-06 | 255 | · |
| Jefferson West High | Meriden | High | 09-12 | 247 | · |
| Oskaloosa JR-SR High School | Oskaloosa | High | 07-12 | 247 | · |
| Perry-Lecompton Middle | Perry | Middle | 05-08 | 234 | · |
| McLouth Elem | Mclouth | Elementary | PK-05 | 221 | · |
| McLouth High | Mclouth | High | 09-12 | 125 | · |
| Valley Falls High | Valley Falls | High | 09-12 | 122 | · |
| Jefferson Co North High | Winchester | High | 09-12 | 117 | · |
| McLouth Middle | Mclouth | Middle | 06-08 | 91 | · |
Cities in Jefferson County
About Jefferson County
Jefferson County is a small Kansas county of about 18,349 residents, home to 14 public schools and roughly 3,123 students.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show the median household earns about $81,278 a year, roughly 25% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 4%. That income level is 23% meaningfully above the Kansas median.
For a sense of the school types, Jefferson County is made up of 5 elementary schools (1,396 students), 3 middle schools (601), and 6 high schools (1,126).
Jefferson West dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 843 students on its own.
Looking at the last 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Jefferson County has contracted 6% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 3,321 students to 3,123.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Jefferson 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
Jefferson County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data