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Very Good

#622 of 2,216 schools in MO

Top 28% in state

Independence Elem.

Elementary School · FRANCIS HOWELL R-III

4800 MEADOWS PKWY, St. Charles, MO 63304

Enrollment

739

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In St. Charles

#10 of 27

public schools

Missouri elementary schools

#352 of 1,202

In district

#6 of 21

FRANCIS HOWELL R-III

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Independence Elem.

Independence Elementary serves 739 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in St. Charles, Missouri, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking 163rd out of 2,234 Missouri schools, the school places in the 93rd percentile statewide.

The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 with 53 full-time equivalent teachers supporting student learning. Academic performance is strong, with 65% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 67% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics across all grade levels. Independence Elementary draws families from a well-educated community where 46% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding 63304 ZIP code area reflects economic stability with a median household income of $111,114 and median home values around $300,700. The low poverty rate of 3.5% indicates a community with substantial resources to support educational achievement. Located on Meadows Parkway, the school sits in a rural setting near town, offering students a quieter learning environment while maintaining access to the amenities and opportunities of the greater St.

Charles area.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Independence 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 Progress6.6Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65%
Overall Proficiency66%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected+10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,775

Independence Elem. — Students at Independence Elem. score 66% 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

11.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 66.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 68.3%
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
70%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
69%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
65%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Independence Elem. Compares

See how Independence Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in MO
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers

Location

4800 MEADOWS PKWY, St. Charles, MO 63304

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EMGE ELEM. (rated 7.9/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby O'Fallon), which scores slightly higher. Another option is JOHN WELDON ELEM. (rated 7.5/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Dardenne Prairie), with a very similar rating. Additionally, CHESTERFIELD ELEM. (rated 7.4/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Chesterfield), with a very similar rating. For more schools in St. Charles, see our St. Charles schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
EARLY CHILD. FAMILY EDUC. CTR St. Charles 0.2 mi 7.4
BRYAN MIDDLE St. Charles 0.3 mi 5.9
FRANCIS HOWELL MIDDLE St. Charles 1.0 mi 6.7
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL St. Charles 2.6 mi 4.3
SAEGER MIDDLE St. Charles 2.9 mi 6.5
FRANCIS HOWELL CENTRAL HIGH St. Charles 3.0 mi 7.7
PHEASANT POINT ELEM. O'Fallon 3.2 mi 6.7
FRANCIS HOWELL HIGH St. Charles 2.7 mi 6.5
FT. ZUWMALT WEST MIDDLE O'Fallon 3.3 mi 7.9
WARREN ELEM. St. Peters 3.7 mi 6.3
JOHN WELDON ELEM. Dardenne Prairie 3.2 mi 7.5
BARAT ACADEMY Chesterfield 3.9 mi 7.8
BARAT ACADEMY Chesterfield 3.9 mi 7.5
CHESTERFIELD ELEM. Chesterfield 4.0 mi 7.4
HOLLENBECK MIDDLE St. Charles 3.8 mi 6.4
EMGE ELEM. O'Fallon 4.3 mi 7.9
CENTRAL ELEM. St. Charles 3.9 mi 5.8
EARLY CHILD FAMILY EDUC. CTR. St. Charles 4.0 mi 6.1
Boonslick St. Peters 4.8 mi
CASTLIO ELEM. St. Charles 3.9 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 63304 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$114,124

Median Home Value

$331,300

Median Rent

$1,618/mo

Population

43,389

College Educated

48%

Homeownership

88.4%

Avg Commute

24.9 min

Poverty Rate

4%

Median Age

41.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Independence Elem. has a median household income of $114,124. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $331,300, with a median rent of $1,618/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
FREEDOM ELEM. St. Robert, MO 7.2
GRACEMOR ELEMENTARY Kansas City, MO 7.2
GRAY ELEM. Springfield, MO 7.2
LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY Wentzville, MO 7.2
CRESTWOOD ELEM. St. Louis, MO 7.3
DAVIDSON ELEMENTARY Kansas City, MO 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independence Elem.

What grades does Independence Elem. serve?

Independence Elem. serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Independence Elem.?

Independence Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 739 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence Elem.?

The student-teacher ratio at Independence Elem. is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Independence Elem. rank in MO?

Independence Elem. is ranked #622 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Independence Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?

Independence 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 Independence Elem.?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence Elem. has 66.7% math proficiency and 68.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Independence Elem. a charter school?

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

Is Independence Elem. a Title I school?

No, Independence Elem. is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Independence Elem.?

11.6% of students at Independence 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,024/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
739
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
11.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
St. Charles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

FRANCIS HOWELL R-III
District Enrollment
17,241
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,462
District Rank
#6 of 21

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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