Total enrollment
1,169
+18 (+2%) vs SY 2017-18
Thomas County
Kansas · Public K-12
Thomas County's public schools total 7 across the county, with enrollment of about 1,169 and Colby Public Schools the largest single district. By level, that breaks down as 2 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
7-year change in Thomas County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
7
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
79%
was 83%
% Hispanic
17%
was 13%
% Black
1%
was 0%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
7
3 districts
Enrollment
1,169
NCES CCD
Median income
$71,325
Above Kansas avg
Free/reduced lunch
37.2%
Below Kansas avg
Elementary
2
459 students
Middle
2
325 students
High
3
385 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Colby Public Schools
958 students · 3 districts in Thomas County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Thomas 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+
34.6%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
4.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
0.6%
civilian labor
Median age
35
24.6% under 18
Test scores in Thomas County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. Kansas state average: 44.5%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Colby Senior High· 50.7%
- Colby Elem· 40.2%
- Brewster Elem· 31.1%
- Colby Middle School· 29.0%
- Golden Plains Middle· 21.2%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colby Elem | Colby | Elementary | PK-04 | 369 | · |
| Colby Senior High | Colby | High | 09-12 | 296 | · |
| Colby Middle School | Colby | Middle | 05-08 | 293 | · |
| Brewster Elem | Brewster | Elementary | PK-08 | 90 | · |
| Golden Plains High | Rexford | High | 09-12 | 55 | · |
| Brewster High | Brewster | High | 09-12 | 34 | · |
| Golden Plains Middle | Rexford | Middle | 06-08 | 32 | · |
Cities in Thomas County
About Thomas County
In Kansas, Thomas County is a low-population county of about 7,885 residents. 7 public schools across the county educates about 1,169 students between them.
In context, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $71,325, roughly 35% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 4%. That income level is 8% meaningfully above the Kansas median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Thomas County covers 2 elementary schools (459 students), 2 middle schools (325), and 3 high schools (385).
Colby Public Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 958 students across Thomas County.
Trend over the past 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Thomas County has held roughly steady since SY 2017-18, moving from about 1,151 students to 1,169. The White share of public-school enrollment declined from 83% to 79%.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Thomas County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. 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