Total enrollment
4,283
+585 (+16%) vs SY 2017-18
Pottawatomie County
Kansas · Public K-12
Public education in Pottawatomie County reaches 4,283 students across 16 schools. Wamego is the largest district at 1,617 students. By grade band, the county runs 8 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools.
7-year change in Pottawatomie County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
16
+4 (+33%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
87%
was 89%
% Hispanic
7%
was 5%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
26,204
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
16
6 districts
Enrollment
4,283
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$92,325
Above Kansas avg
Free/reduced lunch
30.7%
Below Kansas avg
Elementary
8
2,138 students
Middle
3
876 students
High
5
1,269 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Wamego
1,617 students · 6 districts in Pottawatomie County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Pottawatomie 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+
38.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
4.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.1%
civilian labor
Median age
36
28.8% under 18
Test scores in Pottawatomie County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 13 schools ranked. Kansas state average: 44.5%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- West Elem· 64.2%
- Oliver Brown Elementary· 62.0%
- McCormick Elementary· 58.9%
- St Marys Elem· 58.8%
- Westmoreland Elem· 58.8%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Wamego High· 24.2%
- Onaga Elem· 38.9%
- St. Marys Junior Senior High· 39.4%
- Onaga Middle School· 48.6%
- Rock Creek High School· 54.7%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wamego High | Wamego | High | 09-12 | 504 | · |
| Rock Creek High School | St George | High | 09-12 | 415 | · |
| Rock Creek Middle School | St. George | Middle | 05-08 | 415 | · |
| Wamego Middle School | Wamego | Middle | 06-08 | 385 | · |
| St George Elem | St George | Elementary | PK-04 | 374 | · |
| Central Elem | Wamego | Elementary | PK-02 | 357 | · |
| West Elem | Wamego | Elementary | 03-05 | 353 | · |
| Oliver Brown Elementary | Manhattan | Elementary | PK-05 | 338 | · |
| St Marys Elem | St Marys | Elementary | PK-06 | 280 | · |
| St. Marys Junior Senior High | St Marys | High | 07-12 | 246 | · |
| Onaga Elem | Onaga | Elementary | PK-05 | 164 | · |
| McCormick Elementary | Olsburg | Elementary | PK-05 | 146 | · |
| Westmoreland Elem | Westmoreland | Elementary | PK-04 | 126 | · |
| Onaga Senior High | Onaga | High | 09-12 | 86 | · |
| Onaga Middle School | Onaga | Middle | 06-08 | 76 | · |
| Wamego High School Virtual School | Wamego | High | 09-12 | 18 | · |
Cities in Pottawatomie County
About Pottawatomie County
Across the sparse Kansas county of Pottawatomie County of about 26,204 residents, the public-school footprint covers 16 schools and about 4,283 students.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $92,325, roughly 38% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 4%. That income level is 39% noticeably above the Kansas median.
In terms of grade levels, Pottawatomie County is built around 8 elementary schools (2,138 students), 3 middle schools (876), and 5 high schools (1,269).
Wamego is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 1,617 students across Pottawatomie County.
Five-year track record. Combined enrollment now sits at 4,283 students, expanded 16% from the 3,698 reported in SY 2017-18. Over that span, Pottawatomie County gained 4 schools, going from 12 to 16.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Pottawatomie County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
Pottawatomie County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data