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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.8Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,549

Belle Plaine Middle — Students at Belle Plaine Middle score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 12.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
22%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.3/10
53th percentile in KS
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Belle Plaine
District Enrollment
550
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,876
District Rank
#3 of 3

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.

Read our full methodology

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