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Average

#606 of 1,294 schools in KS

Top 47% in state

Paola Middle

Middle School · Paola

405 Hospital Drive, Paola, KS 66071

Enrollment

431

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

6.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kansas schools

#606 of 1,294

In Paola

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

Paola

School environment

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Paola Middle

6.6/10

Middle School in Paola · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Paola High

6.5/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Sunflower Elem

8.8/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Paola Middle

Paola Middle is a public middle school in Paola, KS, part of Paola. Paola Middle serves approximately 431 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Paola Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #606 of 1,294 schools in KS.

Structured state assessment records for Paola Middle show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts above KS schools
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • KS avg 5.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.42 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.8% (2025 KAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.8% (2025 KAP)
Overall Proficiency45% (2025 KAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 KAP)
vs. Expected-1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,896
Chronic Absenteeism19.7%

Paola Middle — Students at Paola Middle score 45% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS KAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 36 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
89%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
91%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
34%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
25%
ELA
36%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
31%
2018
Math
25%
ELA
28%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
28%
2020*
Math
34%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
31%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
28%
2025
Math
44.7%
ELA
45.5%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How Paola Middle Compares

See how Paola Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
53th percentile in KS
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

405 Hospital Drive, Paola, KS 66071

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paola Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Louisburg Middle (rated 7.0/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Louisburg), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Spring Hill Middle School (rated 4.6/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Spring Hill), a more accessible option. Additionally, Osawatomie Middle School (rated 3.9/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Osawatomie), 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 6.5
Sunflower Elem Paola 0.3 mi 8.8
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 3.9
Osawatomie High Osawatomie 7.6 mi 4.7
Osawatomie Virtual School Osawatomie 7.6 mi
Trojan Elem Osawatomie 8.2 mi 6.2
Swenson Early Childhood Education Center Osawatomie 8.2 mi 7.3
Insight School of Kansas Spring Hill 11.4 mi 3.7
Kansas Virtual Academy (KSVA) Spring Hill 11.4 mi 6.0
Spring Hill Middle School Spring Hill 11.4 mi 4.6
Spring Hill Elementary School Spring Hill 11.6 mi 8.4
Broadmoor Elementary Louisburg 10.5 mi 8.3
Louisburg Middle Louisburg 10.9 mi 7.0
Louisburg High Louisburg 11.0 mi 6.0
Spring Hill High School Spring Hill 14.0 mi 5.0
Nike Elementary Gardner 14.2 mi 7.8
Wolf Creek Elementary School Spring Hill 14.4 mi 8.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Andover Central Middle School Andover, KS 6.5
Discovery Intermediate School Goddard, KS 6.5
Seymour Rogers Middle School Liberal, KS 6.5
Shawnee Heights Middle Tecumseh, KS 6.5
Turner Sixth Grade Academy Kansas City, KS 6.7
Pleasant Valley Middle School Wichita, KS 6.4

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
48 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.7%

District

Paola
District Enrollment
1,810
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,896
District Rank
#3 of 4

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