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Below Average

#1957 of 2,216 schools in MO

Joel E. Barber Elem.

Elementary School · LACLEDE CO. C-5

16050 HWY KK, Lebanon, MO 65536

Enrollment

521

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lebanon

#5 of 6

public schools

Missouri elementary schools

#1,033 of 1,202

About Joel E. Barber Elem.

JOEL E. BARBER ELEMENTARY is a regular public school located in the rural area of Lebanon, Missouri, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 521 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.5:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's educational needs.

The dedicated staff includes 36 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with students in a nurturing environment. Academically, JOEL E. BARBER ELEMENTARY currently has room for growth, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.6 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.4 out of 10.

The school ranks at the 2th percentile among Missouri schools, indicating areas where improvement is needed in both ELA/Reading (28% proficiency) and Math (26% proficiency). Despite these challenges, the school community remains committed to supporting student development and providing a strong foundation for learning. Located in a rural setting, JOEL E.

BARBER ELEMENTARY benefits from close-knit community ties and offers students a unique blend of academic rigor and small-town charm.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Joel E. Barber 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 Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,412

Joel E. Barber Elem. — Students at Joel E. Barber Elem. score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 26.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.3%
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
31%
ELA
34%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
26%
ELA
22%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Joel E. Barber Elem. Compares

See how Joel E. Barber Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
12th percentile in MO
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

16050 HWY KK, Lebanon, MO 65536

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joel E. Barber Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GASCONADE ELEM. (rated 9.1/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Falcon), which scores notably higher. Another option is NIANGUA ELEM. (rated 7.3/10, 19.9 miles away, in nearby Niangua), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DOGWOOD ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 23.1 miles away, in nearby Camdenton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lebanon, see our Lebanon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.6 mi
School Distance Rating
LEBANON SR. HIGH Lebanon 3.8 mi 3.9
JOE D. ESTHER ELEM. Lebanon 4.6 mi 6.5
MAPLECREST ELEM. Lebanon 4.7 mi 6.6
LEBANON MIDDLE SCHOOL Lebanon 5.0 mi 6.0
BOSWELL ELEM. Lebanon 4.9 mi 5.6
EZARD ELEM. Conway 12.8 mi 6.7
CONWAY HIGH SCHOOLS Conway 12.8 mi 4.9
STOUTLAND ELEMENTARY Stoutland 16.0 mi 4.6
STOUTLAND HIGH Stoutland 16.0 mi 5.3
MEADOWLARK HILL Tunas 16.4 mi 3.8
NIANGUA ELEM. Niangua 19.9 mi 7.3
NIANGUA HIGH Niangua 19.9 mi 6.8
GROVESPRING ELEM. Grovespring 20.1 mi 5.6
GASCONADE ELEM. Falcon 17.4 mi 9.1
JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER Camdenton 22.5 mi
CAMDENTON MIDDLE Camdenton 23.0 mi 7.8
DOGWOOD ELEMENTARY Camdenton 23.1 mi 7.1
HAWTHORN ELEMENTARY Camdenton 23.1 mi 6.2
OAK RIDGE INTERMEDIATE Camdenton 23.2 mi 8.5
CAMDENTON HIGH Camdenton 23.6 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 65536 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,902

Median Home Value

$159,400

Median Rent

$805/mo

Population

29,680

College Educated

15.8%

Homeownership

70%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

18.9%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Joel E. Barber Elem. has a median household income of $50,902. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $159,400, with a median rent of $805/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
DERBY RIDGE ELEM. Columbia, MO 4.5
HANCOCK PLACE ELEM. Lemay, MO 4.5
JOHN T. HARTMAN ELEMENTARY Kansas City, MO 4.5
LITTLE BLUE ELEMENTARY Kansas City, MO 4.5
MCNAIR ELEM. Hazelwood, MO 4.5
MESNIER PRIMARY SCH. St. Louis, MO 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joel E. Barber Elem.

What grades does Joel E. Barber Elem. serve?

Joel E. Barber Elem. serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Joel E. Barber Elem.?

Joel E. Barber Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 521 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joel E. Barber Elem.?

The student-teacher ratio at Joel E. Barber Elem. is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Joel E. Barber Elem. rank in MO?

Joel E. Barber Elem. is ranked #1957 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Joel E. Barber Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?

Joel E. Barber Elem. has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Joel E. Barber Elem.?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joel E. Barber Elem. has 26.3% math proficiency and 28.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Joel E. Barber Elem. a charter school?

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

Is Joel E. Barber Elem. a Title I school?

No, Joel E. Barber Elem. is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joel E. Barber Elem.?

99.4% of students at Joel E. Barber 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

City Safety
High (2,486/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
521
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Laclede County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

LACLEDE CO. C-5
District Enrollment
521
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,804
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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