Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.5Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61%
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+17.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,308

Ellison Elem. — Students at Ellison Elem. score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 61.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
64%
ELA
61%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.0/10
87th percentile in MO
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,597/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

ST. JOSEPH
District Enrollment
10,477
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,067
District Rank
#1 of 20

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.