- Enrollment
- 1,578
- Students per teacher
- 16.8:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Topeka, KS
Highland Park Central
Federal NCES profile for Highland Park Central, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 36/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 201226001445
👥 S:T ratio 51
🌟 Gifted program 30
🎓 Counselors 36
📋 Attendance 26
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Highland Park Central earns 36/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Kansas median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Kansas schools.
- #7 of 7
- elementary schools in Topeka · Resource Index
- 36
- Resource Index · Typical
- 12.2:1
- students per teacher
- 87.0%
- free-lunch eligible
Highland Park Central has class sizes near the Kansas median. Computed live against every Kansas school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Highland Park Central ranks #7 of 7 elementary schools in Topeka, KS.
School address
District: Topeka Public Schools · Kansas
NCES ID 201226001445 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+0 students YoY
Highland Park Central held near 308 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+0 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 26.3 → 24.9 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+0 students YoY 201226001445 · Topeka, KS Elementary · SMALL · TRAD
318 enr · 12.2:1 · 87.0% lunch · RII 36
Nearest enrollment peer: Topeka High (1,578 students)
Highland Park Central held near 308 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+0 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 26.3 → 24.9 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Kansas schools → · Find another →
Highland Park Central in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Topeka High
Topeka High
1,578 students
- Topeka West Hi
Topeka West High
971 students
- Highland Park
Highland Park High
835 students
- Jardine Elemen
Jardine Elementary
729 students
- Ross Elementar 563
Ross Elementary
563 students
- This school 318
Highland Park Central
318 students
What this shows Highland Park Central reports 318 students on the CCD universe file.
How Highland Park Central compares
Highland Park Central held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Kansas and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Kansas | Kansas avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 12.2:1 | ▼ 12% | 13.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 87.0% | ▲ 104% | 42.7% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 318 | top 44% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
12.2:1
Leaner classes than 74% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
318
Bigger than 35% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
87.0%
free-lunch eligible
- 104% 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
12.2:1
students per teacher
- 12% below state mean
Top 33% in Kansas - lower ratio than 67% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
29.6%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$17,228
per pupil, district-wide
- above Kansas avg of $15,788
Close to the U.S. public-school average per-pupil spend.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 318 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
67
in-school suspensions + 25 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 21.1 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 28.9 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 46.9%
African American 21.1%
White 15.7%
Two or More 14.8%
Asian 0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.3%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 46.9% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 68.9/100
Simpson diversity index - at 68.9, Highland Park Central is more mixed than the Kansas school average of 39.4.
Programs
District finance for Topeka Public Schools reports $17,228 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Highland Park Central Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Topeka West High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Highland Park High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Jardine Elementary | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Ross Elementary | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Highland Park Central's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 971
- Students per teacher
- 14.9:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
- Enrollment
- 835
- Students per teacher
- 15.8:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
- Enrollment
- 729
- Students per teacher
- 13.5:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 563
- Students per teacher
- 13.4:1
- Resource Index
- 25/100
Similar elementary schools in Topeka
6 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Jay Shideler Elementary
Standard public school
492 students 12:1 students per teacher
Indian Hills Elementary
Standard public school
440 students 13.3:1 students per teacher
Northern Hills Elementary
Standard public school
408 students 13.6:1 students per teacher
West Indianola Elem
Standard public school
395 students 13.2:1 students per teacher
Elmont Elem
Standard public school
303 students 14.4:1 students per teacher
North Fairview
Standard public school
278 students 13.2:1 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 (~318 students)
Frequently asked questions about Highland Park Central
How many students attend Highland Park Central?
Highland Park Central has 318 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Topeka, KS. CCD year-over-year: 308 (2022-23) → 308 (2023-24), nearly flat (+0).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Park Central?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Park Central is 12.2:1, which is 12% lower than the Kansas average of 13.8:1 and 22% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Highland Park Central?
87.0% of students at Highland Park Central are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Kansas average of 42.7%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Highland Park Central?
The largest demographic group at Highland Park Central is Hispanic or Latino at 46.9% of enrollment, in Topeka, KS. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 68.9/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Highland Park Central?
Highland Park Central has a Resource Investment Index of 36/100 (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 Highland Park Central rank among elementary schools in Topeka?
By Resource Investment Index, Highland Park Central ranks #7 of 7 elementary schools in Topeka, 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 Topeka on the city page.
What other schools are in Topeka Public Schools?
Besides Highland Park Central, Topeka Public Schools also operates Topeka High (1,578 students), Topeka West High (971 students), and Highland Park High (835 students). See the Topeka Public Schools district page for the complete list.