- Enrollment
- 2,178
- Students per teacher
- 21.8:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Dodge City, KS
Central Elem
Federal NCES profile for Central Elem, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 34/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 200558001089
👥 S:T ratio 0
🌟 Gifted program 30
🎓 Counselors 24
📋 Attendance 83
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Central Elem earns 34/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 98% of Kansas schools.
- #4 of 6
- elementary schools in Dodge City · Resource Index
- 34
- Resource Index · Typical
- 25.4:1
- large classes for Kansas
- 80.3%
- free-lunch eligible
Central Elem has class sizes larger than 98% of Kansas schools. Computed live against every Kansas school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Central Elem ranks #4 of 6 elementary schools in Dodge City, KS.
School address
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+27 students YoY
Central Elem grew from 360 students in 2022-23 to 387 in 2023-24 (+7.5%).
Teacher FTE added 15.0 → 18.5 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+27 students YoY 200558001089 · Dodge City, KS Elementary · SMALL · TRAD
381 enr · 25.4:1 · 80.3% lunch · RII 34
Nearest enrollment peer: Dodge City High School (2,178 students)
Central Elem grew from 360 students in 2022-23 to 387 in 2023-24 (+7.5%). Teacher FTE added 15.0 → 18.5 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Kansas schools → · Find another →
Central Elem in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Dodge City Hig
Dodge City High School
2,178 students
- Dodge City Mid 808
Dodge City Middle School
808 students
- Comanche Middl 783
Comanche Middle School
783 students
- Miller Elem 780
Miller Elem
780 students
- Ross Elementar 502
Ross Elementary School
502 students
- This school 381
Central Elem
381 students
What this shows Central Elem reports 381 students on the CCD universe file.
How Central Elem compares
Central Elem is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Kansas and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Kansas | Kansas avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 25.4:1 | ▲ 84% | 13.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 80.3% | ▲ 88% | 42.7% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 381 | top 33% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
25.4:1
Leaner classes than 5% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
381
Bigger than 44% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
80.3%
free-lunch eligible
- 88% above the Kansas average of 42.7%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
25.4:1
students per teacher
- 84% above state mean
Top 98% in Kansas - lower ratio than 2% of state schools
Well above 20:1, one of the more stretched staffing loads nationally relative to enrollment.
Engagement
6.8%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 5-10% range, close to the pre-pandemic national baseline.
Funding equity
$14,558
per pupil, district-wide
- below Kansas avg of $15,788
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 381 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 2 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.5 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 90.3%
White 5.8%
African American 1.8%
Asian 0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.8%
Two or More 0.5%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 90.3% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 18.1/100
Simpson diversity index - at 18.1, Central Elem is less mixed than the Kansas school average of 39.4.
Programs
District finance for Dodge City reports $14,558 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Central Elem Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge City High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Dodge City Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Comanche Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Miller Elem | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Ross Elementary School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Central Elem's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 808
- Students per teacher
- 17.2:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
- Enrollment
- 783
- Students per teacher
- 17.4:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
- Enrollment
- 780
- Students per teacher
- 26.9:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
- Enrollment
- 502
- Students per teacher
- 20.9:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
Similar elementary schools in Dodge City
5 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Ross Elementary School
Standard public school
502 students 20.9:1 students per teacher
Northwest Elem
Standard public school
380 students 25.3:1 students per teacher
Soule Elementary School
Standard public school
375 students 18.8:1 students per teacher
Linn Elementary
Standard public school
361 students 25.8:1 students per teacher
Beeson Elementary
Standard public school
355 students 22.2:1 students per teacher
Nationwide elementary schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~381 students)
Frequently asked questions about Central Elem
How many students attend Central Elem?
Central Elem has 381 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Dodge City, KS. CCD year-over-year: 360 (2022-23) → 387 (2023-24), up 27.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elem?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elem is 25.4:1, which is 84% higher than the Kansas average of 13.8:1 and 62% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Central Elem?
80.3% of students at Central Elem are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Kansas average of 42.7%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Central Elem?
The largest demographic group at Central Elem is Hispanic or Latino at 90.3% of enrollment, in Dodge City, KS.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Central Elem?
Central Elem has a Resource Investment Index of 34/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Central Elem rank among elementary schools in Dodge City?
By Resource Investment Index, Central Elem ranks #4 of 6 elementary schools in Dodge City, KS. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all elementary schools in Dodge City on the city page.
What other schools are in Dodge City?
Besides Central Elem, Dodge City also operates Dodge City High School (2,178 students), Dodge City Middle School (808 students), and Comanche Middle School (783 students). See the Dodge City district page for the complete list.