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Excellent

#181 of 1,293 schools in KS

Top 14% in state

Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle

Middle School · Marais Des Cygnes Valley

P O Box 158, Melvern, KS 66510

Enrollment

37

Student-Teacher

7.4:1

Score

8.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Melvern

#1 of 2

public schools

Kansas middle schools

#10 of 222

In district

#2 of 3

Marais Des Cygnes Valley

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle

Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle is a small middle school located in the remote rural area of Melvern, Kansas. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 37 students and maintains a close-knit community with a student-teacher ratio of 7.4:1. This allows for personalized attention and support tailored to each student’s needs.

The school’s academic performance is currently rated at 5.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 46th percentile among Kansas schools, with room for improvement in ELA/Reading and Math proficiency levels, where only about 15% of students are proficient or above. Despite the challenges, Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle is committed to providing a supportive learning environment that caters to its small community. The school's rural setting offers a tight-knit atmosphere, with opportunities for hands-on learning and strong connections between teachers, students, and families.

With its focus on individual attention and community support, Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle aims to foster growth and development in each student within the serene and close-knit rural area of Melvern.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 37 students, Marais Des Cygnes Valley 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.4:1, Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Marais Des Cygnes Valley 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 Progress9.9Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+5.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.6Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,482

Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle — Students at Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 14.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 14.8%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
24.5%
ELA
15%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle Compares

See how Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
86th percentile in KS
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

P O Box 158, Melvern, KS 66510

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Osage City Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Osage City), a more accessible option. Another option is Carbondale Attendance Center (rated 4.2/10, 21.7 miles away, in nearby Carbondale), a more accessible option. Additionally, West Franklin Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Pomona), a more accessible option. For more schools in Melvern, see our Melvern schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Marais Des Cygnes Valley High Melvern 0.0 mi 6.9
Lyndon Elem Lyndon 7.1 mi 7.0
Lyndon High Lyndon 7.2 mi 6.8
Waverly Elem Waverly 8.2 mi 8.2
Waverly High Waverly 8.2 mi 6.2
Marais Des Cygnes Valley Elem Quenemo 7.6 mi 9.9
Williamsburg Elementary School Williamsburg 9.5 mi 6.6
West Franklin High School Pomona 12.4 mi 5.7
West Franklin Middle School Pomona 12.4 mi 4.0
Osage City Middle School Osage City 13.2 mi 6.9
Osage City High Osage City 13.2 mi 7.3
Osage City Elem Osage City 13.2 mi 7.6
Lebo Elem Lebo 13.6 mi 8.3
Lebo High Lebo 13.6 mi 6.6
Appanoose Elementary School Pomona 15.8 mi 8.5
Santa Fe Trail High Carbondale 18.7 mi 5.0
Overbrook Attendance Center Overbrook 19.2 mi 4.7
Carbondale Attendance Center Carbondale 21.7 mi 4.2
Burlingame Elementary Burlingame 20.2 mi 4.4
Burlingame Junior/Senior High Burlingame 20.2 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 66510 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,827

Median Home Value

$178,800

Median Rent

$944/mo

Population

619

College Educated

17.1%

Homeownership

78.9%

Avg Commute

35.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

47.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle has a median household income of $56,827. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,800, with a median rent of $944/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
South Gray Jr High Copeland, KS 7.9
Long Island Middle School Long Island, KS 8.2
Norwich Middle School Norwich, KS 7.7
Little River Junior High Little River, KS 7.5
Southern Coffey County Middle School Gridley, KS 7.4
Golden Plains Middle Rexford, KS 9.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle

What grades does Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle serve?

Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle?

Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle has an enrollment of approximately 37 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle is 7.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle rank in KS?

Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle is ranked #181 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle has 14.8% math proficiency and 14.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle a charter school?

No, Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle a Title I school?

No, Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Marais Des Cygnes Valley Middle?

62.2% of students at Marais Des Cygnes Valley 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

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (431/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Osage County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Marais Des Cygnes Valley
District Enrollment
199
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,401
District Rank
#2 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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