Academics
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Students at Paola Middle score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
2025 KAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. KS average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 13 points since 2020, reaching 45% in 2025.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 47% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 50% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 36 test records from KS state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
38.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Paola Middle sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Kansas City map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 48Car-Dependent
- Bike 44Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: Elevated1,382/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Paola), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$82,042
Median home value
$261,400
Median rent
$1,068/mo
College educated
30.5%
Homeownership
78.6%
Poverty rate
4.3%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 66071; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
1 from a 5-mile search
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakemary CenterPrivate · tuition | 8.5 | 4–12 | 0.5 mi | 83 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Paola
- Schools in district
- 4
- Rank in district
- #3 of 4
- District spending per student
- $22,896NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 5.8%Census SAIPE · 2024
Paola Middle is listed in Paola; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Paola Middle
Paola Middle is a public middle school in Paola, KS, part of Paola, serving approximately 431 students in grades 6th-8th with a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #606 of 1,294 schools in KS. State assessment records show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Paola Middle
What grades does Paola Middle serve?
Paola Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Paola Middle?
Paola Middle has an enrollment of approximately 431 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paola Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Paola Middle is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Paola Middle rank in KS?
Paola Middle ranks #606 of 1,294 schools in KS.
What is Paola Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Paola Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Paola Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Paola Middle has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Paola Middle a charter school?
No, Paola Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paola Middle a Title I school?
No, Paola Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paola Middle?
38.5% of students at Paola 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 431
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Miami County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.7%
- Phone
- (913) 294-8030
- Area population (ZIP 66071)
- 12,425
- Area average commute
- 31 min
- Area median age
- 45.9
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 KAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 KAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 KAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 KAP. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 66071; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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