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Below Average

#1885 of 2,221 schools in MO

Central Elem.

Elementary School · PIERCE CITY R-VI

PO BOX E, Pierce City, MO 65723

Enrollment

352

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri schools

#1,885 of 2,221

In Pierce City

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

PIERCE CITY R-VI

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Central Elem.

4.5/10

Elementary School in Pierce City · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pierce City High

6.2/10

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

Pierce City Middle

7.1/10

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

About Central Elem.

Central Elem. is a public elementary school in Pierce City, MO, part of PIERCE CITY R-VI. Central Elem. serves approximately 352 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elem. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,885 of 2,221 schools in MO.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elem. show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts below MO schools
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • MO avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Central Elem. sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-3.02 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.9% (2025 MAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.3% (2025 MAP)
Math vs. State Avg-9.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2025 MAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2025 MAP)
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,878
Chronic Absenteeism14.5%

Central Elem. — Students at Central Elem. score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO MAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 47.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.7% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 40 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
40.7%
ELA
42.5%
2025
Math
37.9%
ELA
39.3%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Central Elem. Compares

See how Central Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
15th percentile in MO
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.3
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
0.6% participation·State avg: 2.3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·4 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

PO BOX E, Pierce City, MO 65723

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PURDY ELEM. (rated 7.8/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Purdy), which scores notably higher. Another option is VERONA ELEM. (rated 7.4/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Verona), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Monett Early Childhood Center (rated 7.2/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Monett), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pierce City, see our Pierce City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.2 mi
School Distance Rating
PIERCE CITY HIGH Pierce City 0.1 mi 6.2
PIERCE CITY MIDDLE Pierce City 0.1 mi 7.1
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Pierce City 0.5 mi 4.9
MONETT ELEM. Monett 3.5 mi 3.9
OAKVIEW SCHOOL Monett 3.7 mi
Monett Early Childhood Center Monett 4.3 mi 7.2
ST LAWRENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Monett 4.5 mi 6.3
MONETT INTERMEDIATE Monett 4.6 mi 6.8
MONETT MIDDLE Monett 5.0 mi 8.1
MONETT HIGH Monett 5.1 mi 6.1
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Freistatt 7.3 mi 5.3
BEREAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Monett 7.1 mi 7.0
PURDY ELEM. Purdy 10.2 mi 7.8
PURDY HIGH Purdy 10.2 mi 6.6
Purdy Early Learning Center Purdy 10.2 mi
WILDWOOD ELEM. Sarcoxie 10.6 mi 4.4
SARCOXIE HIGH Sarcoxie 11.1 mi 9.1
WHEATON ELEM. Wheaton 13.2 mi 4.5
WHEATON HIGH Wheaton 13.2 mi 6.0
VERONA ELEM. Verona 11.2 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 65723 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,515

Median Home Value

$150,600

Median Rent

$818/mo

Population

3,093

College Educated

15.1%

Homeownership

71.2%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

21%

Median Age

34.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
IVELAND ELEM. St. Louis, MO 4.5
JEFFERSON ELEM. Cape Girardeau, MO 4.5
JEFFERSON ELEM. St. Louis, MO 4.5
LAKE ROAD ELEM. Poplar Bluff, MO 4.5
MEADOWS ELEM. St. Louis, MO 4.5
MONROE ELEM. St. Louis, MO 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elem.

What grades does Central Elem. serve?

Central Elem. serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Central Elem.?

Central Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 352 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elem.?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elem. is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elem. rank in MO?

Central Elem. ranks #1,885 of 2,221 schools in MO.

What is Central Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elem. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Central Elem.?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elem. has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Central Elem. a charter school?

No, Central Elem. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Elem. a Title I school?

No, Central Elem. is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elem.?

54.3% of students at Central Elem. 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
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lawrence County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.5%

District

PIERCE CITY R-VI
District Enrollment
712
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,878
District Rank
#3 of 3

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