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Below Average

#2025 of 2,216 schools in MO

East Middle

Middle School · JOPLIN SCHOOLS

PO BOX 128, Joplin, MO 64802

Enrollment

586

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

4.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Joplin

#13 of 15

public schools

Missouri middle schools

#364 of 390

In district

#13 of 15

JOPLIN SCHOOLS

About East Middle

East Middle, located in Joplin, Missouri, is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 586 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, East Middle provides a relatively small classroom setting that allows for individual attention. The school has 41 full-time equivalent teachers who support the academic journey of its middle schoolers.

East Middle’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.8 out of 10 and ranks as the 1847th best school in Missouri, placing it at the 17th percentile among all schools in the state. Academically, East Middle has room for growth, with only 38% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 28% proficient or above in Math. The school is situated in a small suburban area where families often take an active role in supporting their children’s education and community life.

Despite the challenges reflected in its academic scores, East Middle offers a nurturing environment for young adolescents to grow and develop.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29%
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment3.3Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,800

East Middle — Students at East Middle score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 27.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
29%
ELA
29%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How East Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
9th percentile in MO
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Location

PO BOX 128, Joplin, MO 64802

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering East Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ST PETERS MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is WEBB CITY JR. HIGH (rated 7.5/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Webb City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NORTH MIDDLE (rated 7.0/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Joplin, see our Joplin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.6 mi
School Distance Rating
SOARING HEIGHTS ELEM. Joplin 0.1 mi 4.1
EASTMORLAND ELEM. Joplin 1.7 mi 4.0
COLLEGE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Joplin 2.1 mi 5.6
COLLEGE VIEW SCHOOL Joplin 2.4 mi
THOMAS JEFFERSON INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL Joplin 2.5 mi 7.8
MCKINLEY ELEM. Joplin 2.5 mi 7.6
MARTIN LUTHER SCHOOL Joplin 2.6 mi 6.4
KELSEY NORMAN ELEM. Joplin 2.9 mi 4.2
ROYAL HEIGHTS ELEM. Joplin 3.4 mi 5.4
JOPLIN HIGH Joplin 3.2 mi 4.4
SOUTH MIDDLE Joplin 3.9 mi 5.4
STAPLETON ELEM. Joplin 3.9 mi 5.7
MCAULEY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Joplin 3.8 mi 7.6
ST PETERS MIDDLE SCHOOL Joplin 3.9 mi 7.5
Dover Hill Elementary Joplin 4.3 mi 5.1
EUGENE FIELD ELEM. Webb City 5.1 mi 6.3
NORTH MIDDLE Joplin 4.4 mi 7.0
WEBB CITY JR. HIGH Webb City 5.5 mi 7.5
IRVING ELEMENTARY Joplin 4.5 mi 7.0
JOPLIN EARLY CHILDHOOD CTR. Joplin 4.6 mi 5.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Westview Middle School St. Louis, MO 4.2
PERRY CO. MIDDLE Perryville, MO 4.3
BINGHAM MIDDLE Independence, MO 4.1
R. G. CENTRAL MIDDLE St. Louis, MO 4.1
KELLY A BURLISON MIDDLE SCHOOL Fredericktown, MO 4.4
ROGERS MIDDLE St. Louis, MO 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about East Middle

What grades does East Middle serve?

East Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend East Middle?

East Middle has an enrollment of approximately 586 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at East Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at East Middle is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does East Middle rank in MO?

East Middle is ranked #2025 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is East Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

East Middle has a composite rating of 4.2 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 East Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Middle has 27.7% math proficiency and 37.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is East Middle a charter school?

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

Is East Middle a Title I school?

No, East Middle is not currently a Title I school.

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

64.8% of students at East Middle 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

City Safety
High (4,732/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
586
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Jasper County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

JOPLIN SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
7,746
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,792
District Rank
#13 of 15

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

Related reading

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