For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public middle schools serving 1,179 students in Cherokee County, KS.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Cherokee County, KS are Galena Middle School, Baxter Springs High School and Riverton Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cherokee County, KS public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the Kansas public middle school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 28% statewide average). Middle schools in Cherokee County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Kansas public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Kansas public middle school average of 35% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Cherokee County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Galena Middle School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
624 East 8th Street
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Gr: 6-8 | 174 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #22.
Baxter Springs High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 N Military
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3366
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3366
Gr: 7-12 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #33.
Riverton Middle School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
7144 Se 70th
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-3355
Riverton, KS 66770
(620) 848-3355
Gr: 6-8 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #44.
Columbus Junior High And High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
124 S High School Avenue
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3821
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3821
Gr: 7-12 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: n/an/a
100 N. Miliary
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3366
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3366
Gr: 6-12 | 41 students Minority enrollment: 19%
Cherokee County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1520 Cleveland
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3355
Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-3355
Gr: 6-8 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
720 East 7th St
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 783-4499
Gr: 9-12
9155 Sw 30th Street
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 674-8593
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 674-8593
Gr: K-4 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
319 N High School St
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3032
Columbus, KS 66725
(620) 429-3032
Gr: 2-3 | 136 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
280 Ne 90th Street
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 389-2344
Galena, KS 66739
(620) 389-2344
Gr: PK-6 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Box 90
West Mineral, KS 66782
(620) 827-6237
West Mineral, KS 66782
(620) 827-6237
Gr: 1-3 | 7 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Cherokee County, KS?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Cherokee County, KS include Galena Middle School, Baxter Springs High School and Riverton Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Cherokee County?
5 public middle schools are located in Cherokee County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cherokee County?
Cherokee County public middle schools minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority American Indian and Hispanic), which is less than the Kansas public middle schools average of 35% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Cherokee County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Cherokee County include: Riverton Middle School vs. Galena Middle School, Columbus Junior High And High School vs. Baxter Springs High School, Galena Middle School vs. Riverton Middle School
Recent Articles
School Vouchers 2026: Updated Pros and Cons
Explore school vouchers in 2026, including updated pros, cons, policy changes, and what families should know before choosing.
Education Funding in America (2026 Update)
A 2026 update on education funding in America, including federal, state, and local trends, equity gaps, and what parents should know.
What It Takes to Run a 91果冻传媒 Day-to-Day
Explore what it takes to run a public school daily, from leadership and staffing to budgeting, safety, and student support systems.