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Excellent

#176 of 2,221 schools in MO

Top 8% in state

Discovery Middle School

Middle School · LIBERTY 53

800 MIDJAY DRIVE, Liberty, MO 64068

Enrollment

663

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

8.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri schools

#176 of 2,221

In Liberty

#1 of 14

public schools

In district

#1 of 17

LIBERTY 53

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Discovery Middle School

8.4/10

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

South Valley Middle

7.3/10

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

Early Child. Education Ctr.

Nearby

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

About Discovery Middle School

Discovery Middle School is a public middle school in Liberty, MO, part of LIBERTY 53. Discovery Middle School serves approximately 663 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Discovery Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #176 of 2,221 schools in MO.

Structured state assessment records for Discovery Middle School show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts above district
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.1
  • MO avg 6.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change+5.77 pts/yr
Data Period2013–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.8Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.7% (2025 MAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.5% (2025 MAP)
Math vs. State Avg+14.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.6 pts
Overall Proficiency62% (2025 MAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)56% (model expectation from 2025 MAP)
vs. Expected+6.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
Resources & Environment6.5Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,179
Chronic Absenteeism19.2%

Discovery Middle School — Students at Discovery Middle School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO MAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.0% (multi-year average, 2013-2025)
School
State
45.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 63.1% (multi-year average, 2013-2025)
School
State
42.0% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 34 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2013
Math
82%
ELA
65%
2014
Math
64%
ELA
73%
2015
Math
73%
ELA
78%
2016
Math
69%
ELA
78%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
64%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
64%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
60%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
54%
2024
Math
56%
ELA
56.7%
2025
Math
63.7%
ELA
60.5%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Discovery Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.4/10
92th percentile in MO
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.2%

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

800 MIDJAY DRIVE, Liberty, MO 64068

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Discovery Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SOUTH VALLEY MIDDLE (rated 7.3/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, MAPLE PARK MIDDLE (rated 6.8/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Kansas City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Liberty, see our Liberty schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
SOUTH VALLEY MIDDLE Liberty 0.2 mi 7.3
EARLY CHILD. EDUCATION CTR. Kansas City 0.7 mi
ALEXANDER DONIPHAN ELEM. Liberty 0.5 mi 5.5
EPIC ELEMENTARY Liberty 1.0 mi 3.5
LIBERTY OAKS ELEM. Kansas City 1.2 mi 5.2
LIBERTY HIGH Liberty 1.3 mi 7.3
LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Liberty 1.3 mi 5.4
SHOAL CREEK ELEM. Kansas City 2.1 mi 7.1
RIDGEVIEW ELEM. Liberty 1.9 mi 4.9
MANOR HILL ELEM. Liberty 2.1 mi 5.8
HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Liberty 2.3 mi 7.3
LEWIS AND CLARK ELEM. Liberty 2.8 mi 5.8
GRACEMOR ELEMENTARY Kansas City 2.9 mi 5.2
FRANKLIN ELEM. Liberty 2.5 mi 7.7
WARREN HILLS ELEM. Liberty 3.4 mi 7.7
MAPLE PARK MIDDLE Kansas City 3.3 mi 6.8
MAPLEWOOD ELEMENTARY Kansas City 3.4 mi 7.4
LILLIAN SCHUMACHER ELEM. Liberty 3.3 mi 5.3
NORTHWEST REG. YOUTH CTR. Kansas City 3.4 mi
RAVENWOOD ELEMENTARY Kansas City 3.5 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 64068 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,425

Median Home Value

$268,200

Median Rent

$1,172/mo

Population

37,466

College Educated

39%

Homeownership

72.9%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

6.7%

Median Age

38.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
GRAIN VALLEY NORTH MIDDLE SCHL Grain Valley, MO 8.4
ROCKWOOD VALLEY MIDDLE Wildwood, MO 8.4
SELVIDGE MIDDLE Ballwin, MO 8.4
ANN HAWKINS GENTRY MID. SCHOOL Columbia, MO 8.3
CARVER MIDDLE Springfield, MO 8.3
KEARNEY MIDDLE Kearney, MO 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Discovery Middle School

What grades does Discovery Middle School serve?

Discovery Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Discovery Middle School?

Discovery Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 663 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Middle School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Discovery Middle School rank in MO?

Discovery Middle School ranks #176 of 2,221 schools in MO.

What is Discovery Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Discovery Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Discovery Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Discovery Middle School has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).

Is Discovery Middle School a charter school?

No, Discovery Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Discovery Middle School a Title I school?

No, Discovery Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Discovery Middle School?

18.4% of students at Discovery 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
663
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Clay County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.2%

District

LIBERTY 53
District Enrollment
12,154
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,179
District Rank
#1 of 17

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