School Overview
West Elk Schools, located in Howard, Kansas, serves as the educational hub for the Unified School District 282. Operating as a small, rural district, the school focuses on providing a tight-knit learning environment for students in the surrounding Elk County area. By maintaining a smaller student-to-teacher ratio, the district emphasizes personalized attention and a strong sense of community, aiming to foster both academic growth and social development in its students from kindergarten through high school.

The district’s official website serves as a primary portal for parents, students, and community members to access essential school information, including academic calendars, extracurricular activities, and district policies. As a cornerstone of the Howard community, West Elk Schools is committed to preparing its students for future success, whether they choose to pursue higher education or enter the workforce, by blending traditional classroom instruction with the values and support characteristic of a rural Kansas school system.
371
Total Students
34.3
Full-Time Teachers
10.8
Student/Teacher Ratio
67.9%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for West Elk Schools
Demographic Student Count
White295
Hispanic46
Black3
Two or More14
American Indian13
  • White
    295 (79.5%)
  • Hispanic
    46 (12.4%)
  • Two or More
    14 (3.8%)
  • American Indian
    13 (3.5%)
  • Black
    3 (0.8%)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Other
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: No
District: West Elk
Phone: (620)374-2147
Website: http://westelk.us
Grade Range: Pre-K - 12th
Total Students: 371
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 34.3
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 10.8
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 203
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 49
Grades Taught
Pre-Kindergarten 29
Kindergarten 22
Grade 1 28
Grade 2 32
Grade 3 25
Grade 4 22
Grade 5 24
Grade 6 33
Grade 7 24
Grade 8 25
Grade 9 25
Grade 10 22
Grade 11 29
Grade 12 31

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for West Elk Schools
Grade Student Count
Pre-Kindergarten29
Kindergarten22
Grade 128
Grade 232
Grade 325
Grade 422
Grade 524
Grade 633
Grade 724
Grade 825
Grade 925
Grade 1022
Grade 1129
Grade 1231
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for West Elk Schools
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female18249.1%
Male18950.9%
Nearby Others (Within 10 Miles)