Christian schools in Kansas outperform similarly-sized public schools once again

Kansas’ Christian schools are performing better in reading and math than even the best public schools on average.

David Dorsey, senior education policy fellow at the Kansas Policy Institute, analyzed the five largest private schools against three similarly sized public school districts each.

Dorsey found students at Catholic and Lutheran schools were much more likely to be proficient in core subjects than their public school counterparts.

However, five of the public-school districts had relatively good marks: Andover, De Soto, Renwick, Maize and Easton. 

All five have something in common: Each district is composed of families whose average household income is close to or exceeds the state average ($97,625).  

Notably, each district also spent less per pupil than the state average.  

Data compiled from the U.S. Census Bureau and National Center for Education Statistics showed Kansas school districts spend anywhere from $6,000 to $29,000 on each pupil every year. 

The average, according to the Education Data Initiative, is $16,594. 

In comparison, Andover spends just $6,876; Maize, $9,676; Renwick, $10,420; and Easton $12,770. 

Andover – the only district whose proficiency rates exceeded those of the private schools – spent the least per-pupil. 

And despite spending the most, Easton has the lowest proficiency rates of the five. 

“Putting all these factors together – low test scores, private schools outperforming public schools, the new political atmosphere embracing school choice, and a push to reduce federal intervention in education – it is incumbent upon the elected leadership in Kansas to jump on the bandwagon and provide some real choice for parents and students across the state,” Dorsey explained. 

Despite the clear need for reform, Kansas leadership has been hesitant to embrace school choice, though the appetite for educational freedom is growing in the Sunflower State. 

According to a recent report from the American Legislative Exchange Council, Kansas ranks 27th overall, graded D for education freedom programs and F for charter schools.  

It has mediocre grades for homeschooling, virtual schooling and open enrollment policies.  

President Donald Trump has promised major education reforms through school choice and slashing the U.S. Department of Education. 

But the education establishment is opposing the proposed changes.  

“The protests of those big government groups on the left are troubling, albeit predictable,” Dorsey concluded. “At the same time NAEP scores continue to be unacceptably dismal, the howling illustrates the concern is much more with saving the government employees in the department than saving the students.” 

Kansas is at or below average in every grade in the recently released 2024 Nation’s Report Card.