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School District

The thriving city of Hays in Ellis County is one of the best across the state for young people. Out of 109 residential locations in Kansas, Hays is the 20th best place for millennials and the 37th best place for public school education, according to 2018 rankings by Niche.com

Let’s take a closer look at the impressive selection of schools that make Hays one of the most compelling choices for residential real estate buyers.

Public schools

Children residing in Hays attend eight public schools operating under the Unified School District 489 (USD 489). These schools are:

  • Lincoln Elementary School (Pre-K to 5th Grade)
  • Kathryn O’Loughlin McCarthy Elementary School (Pre-K to 5th Grade)
  • Roosevelt Elementary School (Pre-K to 5th Grade)
  • Woodrow Wilson Elementary School (Pre-K to 5th Grade)
  • Hays Middle School (6th to 8th Grade)
  • Hays High School (9th to 12th Grade)
  • Westside School (Alternative)
  • The Learning Center (Alternative)

The top-rated public schools in Hays are the Roosevelt and O’Loughlin Elementary Schools and the Hays High School. In 2018, GreatSchools.org gives these schools a rating of 9, 8, and 7, respectively.

Also in 2018, Niche.com rated the Hays public schools with an overall grade of B+.

Private schools

  • Holy Family Elementary School (Pre-K to 6th Grade)
  • Thomas More-Prep Marian (7th to 12th Grade)
  • Hays Seventh-Day Adventist School (K to 8th Grade)
  • High Plains Christian School (Pre-K to 8th Grade)

Higher education

  • Fort Hays State University
    Founded in 1902, FHSU is the third largest university in the state with an enrollment of more than 15,000 students, including online enrollees. Its 200-acre campus features 40 limestone-faced buildings. The university is subdivided into five colleges focused on the following: Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Business and Entrepreneurship; Education; Health and Behavioral Sciences; and Science, Technology, and Mathematics. It also has a graduate school.
  • North Central Kansas Technical College
    NCK Tech is a primary driver in workforce development and career readiness in the state with its two-year technical learning program. In 2016, the Chronicle of Higher Education in the United States ranked this school 7th out of 895 publicly funded technical and community colleges in the country – among the top 2% in terms of graduation rate.
  • Hays Academy of Hair Design
    Dedicated to full-fledged training and education for the beauty industry, the Hays Academy first opened in 1981 and was recently reinvigorated when it was purchased by sisters Summer Melvin and Danielle Markley in 2003. HAHD is a Wella Signature School, Nuts and Bolts Training Member School, and a Sassoon Academy School Connection member school.

Libraries

  • Hays Public Library
    Located in Downtown Hays, the city’s main library is a 39,000-square-foot facility that hosts a collection of more than 145,000 volumes, including dedicated sections for children’s and young adult books. The library also features a gallery, bookstore, and a dedicated Kansas collection that highlights local information and hosts historical walking tours.
  • Forsyth Library
    Located in the FHSU campus, Forsyth provides access to the University Archives and Special Collections. This is a great place to learn about the history of the American frontier as lived through the experience of the Northwest Kansas region.

If you’re interested in finding a home near these educational institutions, Platinum Group, LLC will gladly guide you through the meticulous home buying process. Inquire today by calling 785.621.4663 or sending an email to [email protected].