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Very Good

#665 of 2,216 schools in MO

Top 30% in state

Liberal Elem.

Elementary School · LIBERAL R-II

PO BOX 38, Liberal, MO 64762

Enrollment

110

Student-Teacher

9.2:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Liberal

#3 of 3

public schools

Missouri elementary schools

#376 of 1,202

In district

#3 of 3

LIBERAL R-II

School environment

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Liberal Elem.

Liberal Elem, a regular public elementary school in Liberal, Missouri, serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 110 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, the school benefits from small class sizes that allow for individualized attention. Located in a rural setting, Liberal Elem offers a close-knit community feel where teachers can really get to know each child.

The academic performance at Liberal Elem shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and a state ranking of 42nd percentile among Missouri schools. Test scores indicate that 40% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 37% in Math. While these numbers suggest areas for growth, they also highlight the school's commitment to student development.

Liberal Elem is situated in a rural area where the community supports its educational endeavors, fostering an environment conducive to learning and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 110 students, Liberal Elem. is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, Liberal Elem. offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Liberal 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 Progress7.8Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,254

Liberal Elem. — Students at Liberal Elem. score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Liberal Elem. Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
70th percentile in MO
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
7.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

PO BOX 38, Liberal, MO 64762

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Liberal Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BRONAUGH ELEM. (rated 7.7/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Bronaugh), which scores slightly higher. Another option is LAMAR ELEM. (rated 6.8/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Lamar), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Frank Layden Elem (rated 6.5/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Frontenac), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Liberal, see our Liberal schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.3 mi
School Distance Rating
LIBERAL HIGH Liberal 0.2 mi 8.6
LIBERAL MIDDLE Liberal 0.2 mi 7.6
BRONAUGH ELEM. Bronaugh 9.9 mi 7.7
BRONAUGH HIGH Bronaugh 9.9 mi 5.9
North East High Arma 9.6 mi 4.5
Northeast Virtual School Arma 9.6 mi
Northeast Elem Arma 10.5 mi 4.9
Frank Layden Elem Frontenac 11.9 mi 6.5
Frontenac Jr. High Frontenac 11.9 mi 5.7
Frontenac Sr. High School Frontenac 12.0 mi 6.6
Meadowlark Elementary Pittsburg 12.8 mi 6.2
Pittsburg High Pittsburg 13.4 mi 5.2
Pittsburg Middle School Pittsburg 14.1 mi 5.0
ST MARYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pittsburg 14.2 mi 6.3
ST MARYS COLGAN ELEMENTARY AND JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Pittsburg 14.2 mi 7.5
LAMAR HIGH Lamar 13.4 mi 7.3
LAMAR ELEM. Lamar 13.5 mi 6.8
LAMAR MIDDLE Lamar 13.6 mi 7.1
Westside Elem Pittsburg 14.7 mi 4.2
SHELDON ELEM. Sheldon 14.3 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 64762 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,250

Median Home Value

$108,000

Median Rent

$725/mo

Population

1,453

College Educated

20.2%

Homeownership

79.7%

Avg Commute

36.7 min

Poverty Rate

13.6%

Median Age

43.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Liberal Elem. has a median household income of $54,250. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $108,000, with a median rent of $725/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Campbellton Elementary New Haven, MO 7.1
MILLER CO. ELEM. Tuscumbia, MO 7.1
TINA-AVALON ELEM. Tina, MO 7.1
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Alma, MO 7.1
TWO MILE PRAIRIE ELEM. Columbia, MO 7.1
SPRINGFIELD LUTHERAN SCHOOL Springfield, MO 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Liberal Elem.

What grades does Liberal Elem. serve?

Liberal Elem. serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Liberal Elem.?

Liberal Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 110 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Liberal Elem. is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Liberal Elem. rank in MO?

Liberal Elem. is ranked #665 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Liberal Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?

Liberal Elem. has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Liberal Elem.?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Liberal Elem. has 37.0% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Liberal Elem. a charter school?

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

Is Liberal Elem. a Title I school?

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

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

54.5% of students at Liberal 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
Elevated (1,252/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
110
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Barton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

LIBERAL R-II
District Enrollment
284
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,877
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 methodology

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