Below Average
#1826 of 2,216 schools in MO
Lawson Middle
Middle School · LAWSON R-XIV
PO BOX 157, Lawson, MO 64062
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
4.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
4.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lawson
#4 of 4
public schools
Missouri middle schools
#341 of 390
In district
#3 of 3
LAWSON R-XIV
About Lawson Middle
Lawson Middle School is a rural middle school in Lawson, Missouri, serving students from fifth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 352 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, the school provides individual attention to help each student thrive. The dedicated staff includes 24 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to supporting their students’ academic and personal growth.
Lawson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating is 4.4 out of 10, with a state ranking of 1601 out of 2234 schools in Missouri, placing it around the 28th percentile. In terms of academic performance, 51% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 46% are proficient or above in Math. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school continues to focus on student development through various programs and support systems.
Lawson Middle School is nestled in a rural setting, offering students a close-knit community feel with plenty of natural surroundings.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Lawson Middle 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
Lawson Middle — Students at Lawson Middle score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.4/10.
How Lawson Middle Compares
See how Lawson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 41% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 157, Lawson, MO 64062
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lawson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lathrop Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Lathrop), which scores notably higher. Another option is KEARNEY MIDDLE (rated 6.3/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Kearney), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EXCELSIOR SPRINGS MIDDLE (rated 5.5/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Excelsior Springs), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Lawson, see our Lawson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LAWSON HIGH Lawson | 0.1 mi | 7.0 |
| SOUTHWEST ELEM. Lawson | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| WATKINS MILL PARK CAMP Lawson | 4.5 mi | 7.8 |
| LEWIS ELEMENTARY Excelsior Springs | 7.0 mi | 7.2 |
| EXCELSIOR SPRINGS EAR CHLD CTR Excelsior Springs | 7.0 mi | — |
| EXCELSIOR SPRINGS HIGH Excelsior Springs | 7.0 mi | 5.0 |
| EXCELSIOR SPRINGS MIDDLE Excelsior Springs | 7.1 mi | 5.5 |
| EXCELSIOR SPRINGS TECH. HIGH Excelsior Springs | 7.6 mi | 6.2 |
| CORNERSTONE ELEMENTARY Excelsior Springs | 7.4 mi | 6.6 |
| ELKHORN ELEMENTARY Excelsior Springs | 9.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Lathrop Elementary School Lathrop | 9.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Lathrop Middle School Lathrop | 9.9 mi | 7.2 |
| NORTHERN HILLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Holt | 9.3 mi | 7.0 |
| SOUTHVIEW ELEM. Kearney | 10.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Lathrop High School Lathrop | 10.7 mi | 6.2 |
| KEARNEY HIGH Kearney | 10.3 mi | 6.1 |
| KEARNEY JR. HIGH Kearney | 10.3 mi | 7.0 |
| LENS Kearney | 10.3 mi | 4.1 |
| KEARNEY MIDDLE Kearney | 10.0 mi | 6.3 |
| MIRABILE ELEM. Polo | 12.2 mi | 3.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 64062 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,306
Median Home Value
$230,700
Median Rent
$1,063/mo
Population
6,752
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
32.3 min
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lawson Middle has a median household income of $89,306. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $230,700, with a median rent of $1,063/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| KIPP INSPIRE ACADEMY St. Louis, MO | 5.0 |
| SEDALIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Sedalia, MO | 5.0 |
| SPRING GARDEN MIDDLE St. Joseph, MO | 5.0 |
| SULLIVAN MIDDLE Sullivan, MO | 5.0 |
| Academie Lafayette Armour IMS Kansas City, MO | 4.8 |
| BODE MIDDLE St. Joseph, MO | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lawson Middle
What grades does Lawson Middle serve?
Lawson Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Lawson Middle?
Lawson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 352 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lawson Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Lawson Middle is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lawson Middle rank in MO?
Lawson Middle is ranked #1826 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Lawson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Lawson Middle has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Lawson Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lawson Middle has 46.3% math proficiency and 51.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lawson Middle a charter school?
No, Lawson Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lawson Middle a Title I school?
No, Lawson Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lawson Middle?
29.0% of students at Lawson 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (555/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lawson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 352
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Ray County
- Phone
- (816) 580-7279
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LAWSON R-XIV- District Enrollment
- 1,114
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,973
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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