Excellent
#143 of 1,293 schools in KS
Top 11% in state
Paola Middle
Middle School · Paola
405 Hospital Drive, Paola, KS 66071
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
8.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
431
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
8.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Paola
#1 of 4
public schools
Kansas middle schools
#8 of 222
In district
#1 of 4
Paola
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Paola Middle
Paola Middle is a public middle school in Paola, KS, part of the Paola. The school serves approximately 431 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 89th percentile among KS schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 30% proficiency in math and 29% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $82,042, where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant town setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Paola Middle — Students at Paola Middle score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.5%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How Paola Middle Compares
See how Paola Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 28% (2019) to 28% (2022).
Location
405 Hospital Drive, Paola, KS 66071
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paola Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Osawatomie Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Osawatomie), with a comparable rating. Another option is Louisburg Middle (rated 6.7/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Louisburg), a more accessible option. Additionally, Spring Hill Middle School (rated 4.4/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Spring Hill), a more accessible option. For more schools in Paola, see our Paola schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Paola High Paola | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Sunflower Elem Paola | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| LAKEMARY CENTER Paola | 0.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Cottonwood Elem Paola | 0.6 mi | 8.1 |
| HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Paola | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Osawatomie Middle School Osawatomie | 7.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Osawatomie High Osawatomie | 7.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Osawatomie Virtual School Osawatomie | 7.6 mi | — |
| Trojan Elem Osawatomie | 8.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Swenson Early Childhood Education Center Osawatomie | 8.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Insight School of Kansas Spring Hill | 11.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Kansas Virtual Academy (KSVA) Spring Hill | 11.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Spring Hill Middle School Spring Hill | 11.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Spring Hill Elementary School Spring Hill | 11.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Broadmoor Elementary Louisburg | 10.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Louisburg Middle Louisburg | 10.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Louisburg High Louisburg | 11.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Spring Hill High School Spring Hill | 14.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Nike Elementary Gardner | 14.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Wolf Creek Elementary School Spring Hill | 14.4 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 66071 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,042
Median Home Value
$261,400
Median Rent
$1,068/mo
Population
12,425
College Educated
30.5%
Homeownership
78.6%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Median Age
45.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paola Middle has a median household income of $82,042. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,400, with a median rent of $1,068/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Lexington Trails Middle School De Soto, KS | 8.2 |
| Fort Riley Middle School Fort Riley, KS | 8.4 |
| Marjorie French Middle School Topeka, KS | 7.9 |
| Summit Trail Middle School Olathe, KS | 7.8 |
| Maize South Middle School Wichita, KS | 7.7 |
| Patton Jr High Fort Leavenworth, KS | 7.7 |
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 is ranked #143 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Paola Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Paola Middle has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Paola Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paola Middle has 30.3% math proficiency and 29.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Paola). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 431
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Miami County
- Phone
- (913) 294-8030
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Paola- District Enrollment
- 1,810
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,896
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.