Average
#1716 of 2,216 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
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pierce City
#3 of 3
public schools
Missouri elementary schools
#887 of 1,202
In district
#3 of 3
PIERCE CITY R-VI
About Central Elem.
Central Elem is a regular public elementary school in Pierce City, Missouri, located in Lawrence County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 352 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1. Central Elem employs 25 full-time equivalent teachers, providing individualized attention to each student.
Academically, the school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.9 out of 10 and ranks at #1816 out of 2234 schools in Missouri, placing it around the 19th percentile statewide. In ELA/Reading proficiency, Central Elem scores 39% of students proficient or above, while in Math, the proficiency rate is 27%. These figures suggest there’s room for improvement but also highlight areas where focused efforts can yield positive results.
Central Elem is situated in a rural setting, offering students a close-knit community environment. The school's location provides opportunities for outdoor learning and activities that are beneficial to its young learners.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Central Elem. 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
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Data not available for this school
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Central Elem. — Students at Central Elem. score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MO 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: 6.1/10.
How Central Elem. Compares
See how Central Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 37% (2022).
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. WILDWOOD ELEM. (rated 8.7/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Sarcoxie), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONETT INTERMEDIATE (rated 7.3/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Monett), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Monett Early Childhood Center (rated 7.1/10, 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 | 5.5 |
| PIERCE CITY MIDDLE Pierce City | 0.1 mi | 5.8 |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL Pierce City | 0.5 mi | 4.9 |
| MONETT ELEM. Monett | 3.5 mi | 6.7 |
| OAKVIEW SCHOOL Monett | 3.7 mi | — |
| Monett Early Childhood Center Monett | 4.3 mi | 7.1 |
| ST LAWRENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Monett | 4.5 mi | 6.3 |
| MONETT INTERMEDIATE Monett | 4.6 mi | 7.3 |
| MONETT MIDDLE Monett | 5.0 mi | 8.3 |
| MONETT HIGH Monett | 5.1 mi | 4.6 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Freistatt | 7.3 mi | 5.3 |
| BEREAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Monett | 7.1 mi | 7.0 |
| PURDY ELEM. Purdy | 10.2 mi | 7.0 |
| PURDY HIGH Purdy | 10.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Purdy Early Learning Center Purdy | 10.2 mi | — |
| WILDWOOD ELEM. Sarcoxie | 10.6 mi | 8.7 |
| SARCOXIE HIGH Sarcoxie | 11.1 mi | 5.7 |
| WHEATON ELEM. Wheaton | 13.2 mi | 6.2 |
| WHEATON HIGH Wheaton | 13.2 mi | 6.9 |
| VERONA ELEM. Verona | 11.2 mi | 4.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elem. has a median household income of $49,515. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $150,600, with a median rent of $818/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| BLACK HAWK ELEM. Kahoka, MO | 5.2 |
| CAMERON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Cameron, MO | 5.2 |
| CAMPBELL ELEM. Campbell, MO | 5.2 |
| CROSSROADS - QUALITY HILL Kansas City, MO | 5.2 |
| ELIOT BATTLE ELEMENTARY Columbia, MO | 5.2 |
| FORDLAND ELEM. Fordland, MO | 5.2 |
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. is ranked #1716 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Central Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elem. has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Central Elem.?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elem. has 27.0% math proficiency and 38.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (469/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (417) 476-2255
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PIERCE CITY R-VI- District Enrollment
- 712
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,878
- 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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