Average
#853 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 43% in state
Motley-staples Middle School
Middle School · STAPLES-MOTLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
401 CENTENNIAL DR, Staples, MN 56479
Enrollment
291
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.7
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
291
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.7
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Staples
#3 of 3
public schools
Minnesota middle schools
#43 of 280
In district
#3 of 3
STAPLES-MOTLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Motley-staples Middle School
MOTLEY-STAPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL is a regular public middle school located in the remote rural area of Staples, Minnesota. The school serves students from fifth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 291 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1. There are 19 full-time equivalent teachers at MOTLEY-STAPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL.
Academically, the school receives a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks 1238th out of 2027 schools in Minnesota, placing it around the 39th percentile. The academic score is 4.9/10, with 44% proficiency or above in ELA/reading and 37% proficient or above in math across all grades. While these scores indicate there is room for improvement, MOTLEY-STAPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL focuses on supporting student development through dedicated teachers and a close-knit community environment.
The school's setting offers students the benefit of a tight-knit rural community, fostering strong relationships between staff, students, and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Motley-staples Middle School 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Motley-staples Middle School — Students at Motley-staples Middle School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Motley-staples Middle School Compares
See how Motley-staples Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 36% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 44% (2022).
Location
401 CENTENNIAL DR, Staples, MN 56479
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Motley-staples Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pillager Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Pillager), with a comparable rating. Additionally, LIVING WATERS MENNONITE SCHOOL (rated 4.0/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Browerville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Staples, see our Staples schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| STAPLES-MOTLEY SENIOR HIGH Staples | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
| SACRED HEART AREA SCHOOL Staples | 0.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Staples-Motley Elementary Staples | 0.4 mi | 7.5 |
| VERNDALE AREA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Verndale | 10.1 mi | — |
| VERNDALE ELEMENTARY Verndale | 10.8 mi | 5.1 |
| VERNDALE SECONDARY Verndale | 10.8 mi | 5.1 |
| LIVING WATERS MENNONITE SCHOOL Browerville | 16.6 mi | 4.0 |
| CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Browerville | 19.1 mi | 6.2 |
| BERTHA ELEMENTARY Bertha | 14.3 mi | 8.3 |
| BERTHA SECONDARY Bertha | 14.3 mi | 6.1 |
| BROWERVILLE SECONDARY Browerville | 19.2 mi | 6.4 |
| BROWERVILLE ELEMENTARY Browerville | 19.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Central Lakes Adventure School Pillager | 14.9 mi | 4.5 |
| PILLAGER ELEMENTARY Pillager | 15.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Pillager Senior High School Pillager | 15.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Pillager Middle School Pillager | 15.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Freshwater Education District ALC Wadena | 16.5 mi | 7.3 |
| White Pine Academy Wadena | 16.5 mi | — |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Wadena | 16.5 mi | — |
| LEAF RIVER ACADEMY Wadena | 16.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56479 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,009
Median Home Value
$177,500
Median Rent
$856/mo
Population
5,018
College Educated
22.7%
Homeownership
78.6%
Avg Commute
22.4 min
Poverty Rate
13.8%
Median Age
42.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Motley-staples Middle School has a median household income of $58,009. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,500, with a median rent of $856/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| REDWOOD VALLEY MIDDLE Redwood Falls, MN | 6.8 |
| Franklin Middle Minneapolis, MN | 6.6 |
| LE SUEUR-HENDERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Le Sueur, MN | 6.9 |
| BOLD Middle School Olivia, MN | 7.0 |
| JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL MIDDLE Lakefield, MN | 6.4 |
| Minnesota Virtual Academy Middle Houston, MN | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Motley-staples Middle School
What grades does Motley-staples Middle School serve?
Motley-staples Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Motley-staples Middle School?
Motley-staples Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 291 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Motley-staples Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Motley-staples Middle School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Motley-staples Middle School rank in MN?
Motley-staples Middle School is ranked #853 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Motley-staples Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Motley-staples Middle School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Motley-staples Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Motley-staples Middle School has 37.0% math proficiency and 44.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Motley-staples Middle School a charter school?
No, Motley-staples Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Motley-staples Middle School a Title I school?
No, Motley-staples Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Motley-staples Middle School?
52.6% of students at Motley-staples Middle School 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
- City Safety
- High (1,709/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Staples). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 291
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Todd County
- Phone
- (218) 894-5400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
STAPLES-MOTLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 888
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,990
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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 methodologyRelated reading
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