Average
#615 of 1,293 schools in KS
Top 48% in state
Belle Plaine Middle
Middle School · Belle Plaine
Box 457, Belle Plaine, KS 67013
Enrollment
161
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
161
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Belle Plaine
#3 of 3
public schools
Kansas middle schools
#78 of 222
In district
#3 of 3
Belle Plaine
Academic growth
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Belle Plaine Middle
Belle Plaine Middle, a regular public middle school located in Belle Plaine, Kansas, serves students from fifth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 161 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, the school benefits from relatively small class sizes facilitated by its dedicated staff of twelve full-time equivalent teachers. Situated in a rural setting, Belle Plaine Middle focuses on providing a supportive environment for academic growth and personal development.
While the MySchoolScout rating indicates room for improvement at 4.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of #898 out of 1298 schools in Kansas (31st percentile), Belle Plaine Middle continues to work diligently on enhancing its educational offerings. In terms of academic performance, the school shows areas where it can improve: only 25% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 12% in Math. Belle Plaine Middle is nestled in a rural community that values education and supports local youth as they navigate middle school years.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 161 students, Belle Plaine Middle is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Belle Plaine Middle are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Belle Plaine Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Belle Plaine Middle — Students at Belle Plaine Middle score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.7/10.
How Belle Plaine Middle Compares
See how Belle Plaine Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
Box 457, Belle Plaine, KS 67013
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Belle Plaine Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mulvane Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Mulvane), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Udall Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Udall), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Derby Middle Sch (rated 5.1/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Derby), a more accessible option. For more schools in Belle Plaine, see our Belle Plaine schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Belle Plaine Elem Belle Plaine | 0.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Belle Plaine High Belle Plaine | 0.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Mulvane Grade School Mulvane | 6.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Mulvane Middle School Mulvane | 6.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Mulvane Elem W D Munson Mulvane | 6.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Mulvane High Mulvane | 7.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Park Hill Elementary Derby | 9.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Swaney Elem Derby | 9.7 mi | 7.0 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Derby | 10.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Derby Middle Sch Derby | 10.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Derby Virtual School Derby | 10.8 mi | — |
| Wellington High School Wellington | 10.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Tanglewood Elem Derby | 10.8 mi | 6.7 |
| El Paso Elem Derby | 10.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Udall Virtual School Udall | 8.8 mi | — |
| Udall Middle School Udall | 8.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Udall Elem Udall | 8.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Udall High Udall | 8.8 mi | 2.9 |
| Derby High School Derby | 11.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Kennedy Elem Wellington | 10.4 mi | 8.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 67013 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,445
Median Home Value
$156,800
Median Rent
$776/mo
Population
2,671
College Educated
26.3%
Homeownership
74.9%
Avg Commute
32.9 min
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Median Age
43.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Belle Plaine Middle has a median household income of $73,445. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $156,800, with a median rent of $776/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lakin Middle Lakin, KS | 6.3 |
| Pleasant Ridge Middle Easton, KS | 6.3 |
| Girard Middle Girard, KS | 6.4 |
| Riverton Middle Riverton, KS | 6.5 |
| Phillipsburg Middle Phillipsburg, KS | 6.0 |
| Central Elem Columbus, KS | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Belle Plaine Middle
What grades does Belle Plaine Middle serve?
Belle Plaine Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Belle Plaine Middle?
Belle Plaine Middle has an enrollment of approximately 161 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Belle Plaine Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Belle Plaine Middle is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Belle Plaine Middle rank in KS?
Belle Plaine Middle is ranked #615 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Belle Plaine Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Belle Plaine Middle has a composite rating of 6.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Belle Plaine Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Belle Plaine Middle has 12.2% math proficiency and 25.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Belle Plaine Middle a charter school?
No, Belle Plaine Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Belle Plaine Middle a Title I school?
No, Belle Plaine Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Belle Plaine Middle?
47.8% of students at Belle Plaine Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (484/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Belle Plaine). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 161
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Sumner County
- Phone
- (620) 488-2222
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Belle Plaine- District Enrollment
- 550
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,876
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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