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Very Good

#590 of 2,216 schools in MO

Top 27% in state

Dent-phelps Elem.

Elementary School · DENT-PHELPS R-III

27870 Hwy C, Salem, MO 65560

Enrollment

272

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salem

#4 of 8

public schools

Missouri elementary schools

#337 of 1,202

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Dent-phelps Elem.

Dent-Phelps Elementary, located in the rural area of Salem, Missouri, is a regular public school serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 272 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.8:1, Dent-Phelps provides personalized attention to its young learners. The school offers a supportive environment with 23 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students' education.

Academically, Dent-Phelps Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks 38th percentile among Missouri schools. In terms of proficiency levels, the ELA/Reading scores are at 40% and Math scores stand at 29%, indicating areas for growth but also highlighting the school's commitment to continuous improvement. Dent-Phelps Elementary is situated in a quiet rural setting where students can enjoy a close-knit community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Dent-phelps 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 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.0Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,117

Dent-phelps Elem. — Students at Dent-phelps Elem. score 34% 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

47.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
42%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Dent-phelps Elem. Compares

See how Dent-phelps Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
73th percentile in MO
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

27870 Hwy C, Salem, MO 65560

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dent-phelps Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GREEN FOREST ELEM. (rated 9.1/10, 12.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LUCY WORTHAM JAMES ELEM. (rated 8.7/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby St. James), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NORTH WOOD ELEM. (rated 8.3/10, 8.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.3 mi
School Distance Rating
I CAN TOO LEARNING CENTER Salem 7.7 mi
SALEM SR. HIGH Salem 7.6 mi 5.3
SALEM MIDDLE SCHOOL Salem 7.7 mi 7.6
WM. H. LYNCH ELEM. Salem 8.3 mi 4.2
OZARK HILLS SCHOOL Salem 8.8 mi
NORTH WOOD ELEM. Salem 8.4 mi 8.3
SALEM UPPER ELEM. Salem 9.3 mi 7.0
GREEN FOREST ELEM. Salem 12.6 mi 9.1
OAK HILL ELEM. Salem 12.5 mi 6.8
ROLLA SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Rolla 15.7 mi
PHELPS CO. ELEM. Edgar Springs 13.0 mi 6.0
B W ROBINSON SCHOOL Rolla 16.1 mi 7.5
ROLLA JR. HIGH Rolla 16.4 mi 3.9
COL. JOHN B. WYMAN ELEM. Rolla 16.1 mi 4.6
MARK TWAIN ELEM. Rolla 16.4 mi 6.7
ROLLA MIDDLE Rolla 16.6 mi 5.4
ROLLA SR. HIGH Rolla 17.1 mi 3.8
HARRY S. TRUMAN ELEM. Rolla 17.6 mi 6.0
ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rolla 17.7 mi 7.2
LUCY WORTHAM JAMES ELEM. St. James 19.3 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 65560 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,423

Median Home Value

$141,700

Median Rent

$625/mo

Population

13,634

College Educated

17.7%

Homeownership

75.4%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Median Age

42.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dent-phelps Elem. has a median household income of $53,423. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $141,700, with a median rent of $625/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
BELAIR ELEM. Jefferson City, MO 7.2
CRANE ELEM. Crane, MO 7.2
DIAMOND ELEM. Diamond, MO 7.2
EARL NANCE SR. ELEM. St. Louis, MO 7.2
HOLCOMB ELEM. Holcomb, MO 7.2
LEWIS ELEMENTARY Excelsior Springs, MO 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dent-phelps Elem.

What grades does Dent-phelps Elem. serve?

Dent-phelps Elem. serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Dent-phelps Elem.?

Dent-phelps Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 272 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dent-phelps Elem.?

The student-teacher ratio at Dent-phelps Elem. is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dent-phelps Elem. rank in MO?

Dent-phelps Elem. is ranked #590 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Dent-phelps Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?

Dent-phelps Elem. has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Dent-phelps Elem.?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dent-phelps Elem. has 28.7% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dent-phelps Elem. a charter school?

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

Is Dent-phelps Elem. a Title I school?

No, Dent-phelps Elem. is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dent-phelps Elem.?

47.1% of students at Dent-phelps 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
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,879/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salem). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
272
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Dent County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

DENT-PHELPS R-III
District Enrollment
272
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,026
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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