Jefferson Elem

Jefferson Elem is an elementary campus of middle-of-the-pack scale in Great Bend, Kansas, operated by Great Bend, instructing 297 students in grades pre-K through 6.

Across the 7 schools in Great Bend (2,876 students total), Jefferson Elem accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

Demographically, Jefferson Elem lists that White students make up the majority at 71%. Beyond that, the school shows 19% Hispanic, 6% multiracial, 2% Black. The wider county runs roughly 81% White, putting the school's mix meaningfully less White than the area baseline.

Looking at school resources, On paper, Jefferson Elem has 21 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 14.2:1. The state averages around 13.2:1, so this campus is higher than the state norm typical. Around 58% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, often used as a Title I proxy.

Adjusting for the school's free-and-reduced-lunch share, Jefferson Elem sits in the top 10% of Kansas schools after the BeatsExpectations adjustment. Predicted proficiency for the school's FRL share is roughly 34.3%; actual is 55.3%, +21.0 points clear of the demographic baseline.

In the area at large, the surrounding county (Barton County) shows that median household income runs about $58,851, 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 11%. Across Barton County's 15 public schools (combined enrollment of about 4,179 students), Jefferson Elem is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is Great Bend High School, roughly 0.5 miles away. Within five miles, there are 6 other public schools. On composite proficiency, Jefferson Elem comes 1st of 8 in the immediate cluster, above the nearby-schools average of 30.6%.

The campus sits in a town-based setting.

Looking at the recent track record. Jefferson Elem's enrollment has remained close to its prior level since 2018, when it stood at 293 (now 297). White enrollment moved from 79% to 71% across the same window.

In the discussion threads here, posts here usually surface around classroom updates, athletics, and weather closures. Members of the school community can share what they know.