2024 Best Preschools in Kansas

Guide to Preschools in Kansas

Kansas is home to a number of preschools, with a total of 891 currently operating in the state. This figure is significantly higher than the national average, and on a per capita basis it has about 32% more preschools than average, which means more options for families. The average grade for all these preschools is a B, which is in-line with the nation's average as well.

At the same time, metrics like student/teacher ratio and class size can be very important in creating a positive learning environment. For example, the typical student to teacher ratio in Kansas is 13:1 which beats the national average by about 7%. Additionally, the average school size is 297 students which 19% lower than the countrywide norm. Although not perfect, those metrics indicate that Kansas may be providing a better learning environment than the rest of the nation. And it's worth noting that 42% of all preschools in Kansas fall above the national average, this equates to 372 options that are above the norm.

Public Preschools in Kansas

Public preschools are by far the most common type of institution in the state and account for close to a full 80% of all schools. In total there are just over 700 public schools split across cities like Wichita and Olathe. As far as performance goes, public schools in Kansas earn an average grade of B– which is better than their counterparts elsewhere. Also, although slightly larger than most (316 students), these schools still fall below the national norm by 14%. This statistic indicates that classrooms should still feel relatively intimate compared to other states.

Traditional Public Preschools

The largest subset of public schools are those that do not specialize in any particular type of education or subject matter—the traditional public schools. In Kansas, these are by far the most common type of institutional option for families looking for preschools for their children, with 677 schools falling into this category. These schools match up well against national averages when it comes to grade (a B) and student/teacher ratio (14:1). However, these schools tend to be slightly smaller than the national version at 314 students per school (15% lower).

Also worth noting is that nearly half of these 677 traditional public schools score above the national average (50%), meaning there's 337 options that are better than what you'd typically find elsewhere.

The Top Traditional Public Preschool School in Kansas

When it comes to choosing a traditional public school in Kansas, one school stands out among its peers—Sunset Ridge Elementary School. Located in Overland Park, Sunset Ridge Elementary School has been awarded an A+ rating for its overall quality and boasts an impressive roster of faculty members who have dedicated themselves to fostering excellence with each and every student. With an enrollment of 419 students and an excellent 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio, Sunset Ridge Elementary School provides personalized instruction and an intimate learning experience unparalleled by other institutions. Students from across Overland Park have praised Sunrise Ridge Elementary School for its academic rigor and supportive environment, making it a top choice for families seeking quality education for their children. Another great option is Lakewood Elementary School located in Overland Park as well. The school has 562 students enrolled making it slightly larger than Sunset Ridge but still relatively small compared to other options across the US with a student-to-teacher ratio of 20:1 (which is 43% higher than the national average). Despite this fact, families praise Lakewood Elementary School’s commitment to providing small class sizes and individualized instruction making it a great choice among preschoolers in Kansas.

Charter Preschools in Kansas

Charter schools are another popular option among families looking for alternative schooling solutions. In Kansas however they’re considerably hard to come by—there are currently only 3 charter schools operating within its borders—which makes the state 39th per capita (88% fewer charter schools than what’s typical). The situation is made more difficult by virtue of none of them earning better than a C grade on their overall performance metrics (0%). The average class size here also becomes somewhat concerning at 108 students per school which is almost three times greater than what you'd find in most states (71% greater). So if you're considering a charter school it may be worth doing thorough research into how each one performs before settling on anything particular given fewer choices here than usual.

Despite all this though there are still two recognizable charter schools worth considering if desired—Yoder Charter Elementary School and Service Valley Charter Academy. Yoder Charter Elementary School has a total enrollment of 65 and has earned a C+ rating despite its small size (9 students per teacher which falls 36% below the national average). Service Valley Charter Academy also comes pretty close with 114 students enrolled but unfortunately has only scored a C rating overall (