Cottonwood Elem vs Grand Star Elementary
A head-to-head comparison of two elementary schools in Kansas, United States, 26 km apart, using official American 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Cottonwood Elem
Paola · Public elementary · Grades PK–2
379 students
Grand Star Elementary
Gardner · Public elementary · Grades PK–4
380 students
| Measure | Cottonwood Elem Paola, Kansas | Grand Star Elementary Gardner, Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (US) | 66 Top 50% | 56 Top 50% |
| State rank | #127 of 686 | #223 of 686 |
| National rank | #13824 of 50,301 | #21019 of 50,301 |
| Sector | Public | Public |
| Type | Elementary | Elementary |
| Year range | Grades PK–2 | Grades PK–4 |
| Students | 379 | 380 |
| Enrollment | 379 | 380 |
| Free/reduced-price lunch | 41.4% | 56.3% |
| Students per teacher | 14.0 | 10.6 |
| Reading proficiency | – | 47% |
| Math proficiency | – | 47% |
| city | Paola | Gardner |
| state | Kansas | Kansas |
| Website | – | – |
The verdict
- •Cottonwood Elem scores higher on the Success Index (US) (66.4 vs 55.9).
- •Cottonwood Elem does better on community advantage (fewer free/reduced-price lunch) (41.4% vs 56.3%).
- •Grand Star Elementary does better on students per teacher (10.6 vs 14.0).
- •Grand Star Elementary is the larger school with 380 students compared with 379.
The Success Index (US) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Cottonwood Elem better than Grand Star Elementary?
On the Success Index (US), Cottonwood Elem ranks higher (66.4 vs 55.9 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Cottonwood Elem and Grand Star Elementary?
About 26 km in a straight line, between Paola and Gardner in Kansas.
Which has the better Enrollment?
Cottonwood Elem: 379. Grand Star Elementary: 380. Students enrolled in the latest NCES directory year.
How do Cottonwood Elem and Grand Star Elementary rank in Kansas?
Cottonwood Elem is 127th of 686 and Grand Star Elementary is 223rd of 686 among elementary schools in Kansas on the 2025 Success Index (US).