Great Bend High School is a public high school located in Great Bend, Kansas, serving students in grades 9–12. The school is the only high school in Great Bend USD 428 public school district. The athletic teams are known as the Panthers and all athletic programs compete in the 5A division according to the KSHSAA.
Serving 954 students in grades 9-12, Great Bend High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Kansas for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 15% (which is lower than the Kansas state average of 29%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 16% (which is lower than the Kansas state average of 32%).
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the Kansas state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Kansas state average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 954 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
- Minority Enrollment: 38%
- Graduation Rate: 90-94% (Top 20% in KS)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 15% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 16% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), KS Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Great Bend High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Kansas for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Great Bend High School's student population of 954 students has grown by 10% over five school years.
The teacher population of 65 teachers has declined by 7% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
954 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
65 teachers
Colors
Black, Red
School Rankings
Great Bend High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,280 schools in Kansas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Great Bend High School is 0.51, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.57. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1140 out of 1280 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
15%
29%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
16%
32%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
31%
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
13:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
n/a
3%
Hispanic
33%
22%
Black
1%
7%
White
62%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
90-94%
89%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
56%
42%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), KS Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Panthers
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Great Bend High School's ranking?
Great Bend High School is ranked #1140 out of 1,280 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Kansas.
What schools are Great Bend High School often compared to?
Great Bend High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Ellinwood High School, Hoisington High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
15% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 29% KS state average), while 16% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 32% KS state average).
What is the graduation rate of Great Bend High School?
The graduation rate of Great Bend High School is 90-94%, which is higher than the Kansas state average of 89%.
How many students attend Great Bend High School?
954 students attend Great Bend High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
62% of Great Bend High School students are White, 33% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Great Bend High School?
Great Bend High School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Kansas state average of 13:1.
What grades does Great Bend High School offer ?
Great Bend High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Great Bend High School part of?
Great Bend High School is part of Great Bend School District.
School Reviews
Review Great Bend High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.