Excellent
#285 of 2,216 schools in MO
Top 13% in state
Ellison Elem.
Elementary School · ST. JOSEPH
45 SE 85TH RD, St. Joseph, MO 64507
Enrollment
360
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
360
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In St. Joseph
#1 of 20
public schools
Missouri elementary schools
#192 of 1,202
In district
#1 of 20
ST. JOSEPH
Academic performance
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Ellison Elem.
Ellison Elementary serves 360 students from kindergarten through sixth grade in St. Joseph, Missouri, earning recognition as one of the top-performing elementary schools in the state. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranking #384 out of 2,234 Missouri schools, Ellison places in the 83rd percentile statewide.
The school demonstrates strong academic achievement, with 64% of students scoring proficient or above in mathematics and 61% reaching proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. These results reflect the dedicated work of 22 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a manageable student-teacher ratio of 16.4 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. Ellison Elementary draws students from the surrounding 64507 zip code area, where families have a median household income of $63,133 and median home values of $126,200.
The community of 14,316 residents includes 22% with bachelor's degrees or higher, with a poverty rate of 14.5%. This demographic profile supports a stable learning environment where families are invested in their children's education. The school is situated in a rural area near the town of St.
Joseph, providing students with a peaceful learning environment that combines small-town values with access to broader educational and community resources.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Ellison 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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Ellison Elem. — Students at Ellison Elem. score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.4%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Ellison Elem. Compares
See how Ellison Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 64% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 61% (2022).
Location
45 SE 85TH RD, St. Joseph, MO 64507
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ellison Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. AVENUE CITY ELEM. (rated 8.0/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Cosby), with a very similar rating. Another option is SKAITH ELEM. (rated 7.6/10, 4.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, EDISON ELEM. (rated 7.5/10, 6.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in St. Joseph, see our St. Joseph schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| RIVERBEND TREATMENT CTR. St. Joseph | 2.6 mi | — |
| ST JOSEPH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL St. Joseph | 3.4 mi | 6.2 |
| PRESCOTT SDA SCHOOL St. Joseph | 3.5 mi | — |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL St. Joseph | 3.9 mi | 4.8 |
| OAK GROVE ELEM St. Joseph | 4.2 mi | 7.4 |
| SKAITH ELEM. St. Joseph | 4.6 mi | 7.6 |
| EAST BUCHANAN MIDDLE Easton | 5.4 mi | 7.9 |
| PICKETT ELEM. St. Joseph | 5.2 mi | 6.8 |
| BISHOP LEBLOND St. Joseph | 5.1 mi | 9.1 |
| BISHOP LEBLOND HIGH SCHOOL St. Joseph | 5.1 mi | 7.8 |
| AVENUE CITY ELEM. Cosby | 6.5 mi | 8.0 |
| COLEMAN ELEM. St. Joseph | 5.5 mi | 6.3 |
| TRUMAN MIDDLE St. Joseph | 5.6 mi | 6.8 |
| PARKWAY ELEM. St. Joseph | 6.1 mi | 6.1 |
| HELEN M DAVIS SCHOOL St. Joseph | 6.2 mi | 6.6 |
| BODE MIDDLE St. Joseph | 6.1 mi | 4.8 |
| CENTRAL HIGH St. Joseph | 6.3 mi | 4.0 |
| FIELD ELEM. St. Joseph | 6.3 mi | 5.6 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL St. Joseph | 6.4 mi | 6.6 |
| EDISON ELEM. St. Joseph | 6.5 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 64507 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,014
Median Home Value
$134,000
Median Rent
$890/mo
Population
14,159
College Educated
22.7%
Homeownership
68.1%
Avg Commute
19.5 min
Poverty Rate
15.8%
Median Age
34.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ellison Elem. has a median household income of $63,014. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $134,000, with a median rent of $890/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.8%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| AVENUE CITY ELEM. Cosby, MO | 8.0 |
| BLAIR OAKS INTERMEDIATE Jefferson City, MO | 8.0 |
| CLEARWATER ELEMENTARY Piedmont, MO | 8.0 |
| COVEL D. SEARCY ELEM. Gallatin, MO | 8.0 |
| EUGENE FIELD ELEM. Maryville, MO | 8.0 |
| GRADEN ELEM. Parkville, MO | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ellison Elem.
What grades does Ellison Elem. serve?
Ellison Elem. serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Ellison Elem.?
Ellison Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 360 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ellison Elem.?
The student-teacher ratio at Ellison Elem. is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ellison Elem. rank in MO?
Ellison Elem. is ranked #285 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Ellison Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?
Ellison Elem. has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Ellison Elem.?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ellison Elem. has 61.0% math proficiency and 60.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ellison Elem. a charter school?
No, Ellison Elem. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ellison Elem. a Title I school?
No, Ellison Elem. is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ellison Elem.?
39.4% of students at Ellison 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 360
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Buchanan County
- Phone
- (816) 667-5316
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ST. JOSEPH- District Enrollment
- 10,477
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,067
- District Rank
- #1 of 20
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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