Skip to main content

Very Good

#352 of 2,221 schools in MO

Top 16% in state

Liberal Middle

Middle School · LIBERAL R-II

PO BOX 38, Liberal, MO 64762

Enrollment

64

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

7.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri schools

#352 of 2,221

In Liberal

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

LIBERAL R-II

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Liberal Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Liberal Middle

7.9/10

Middle School in Liberal · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Liberal High

8.0/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Liberal Elem.

6.7/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Liberal Middle

Liberal Middle is a public middle school in Liberal, MO, part of LIBERAL R-II. Liberal Middle serves approximately 64 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Liberal Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #352 of 2,221 schools in MO.

Structured state assessment records for Liberal Middle show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.8 pts above MO schools
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • MO avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 64 students, Liberal Middle is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Liberal Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-0.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.6% (2025 MAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg+17.5 pts
Overall Proficiency53% (2025 MAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2025 MAP)
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment9.5Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,877
Chronic Absenteeism9.4%

Liberal Middle — Students at Liberal Middle score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO MAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.9% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 44.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 30 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2010
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
65.1%
2025
Math
64.6%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Liberal Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
84th percentile in MO
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
9.5/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

PO BOX 38, Liberal, MO 64762

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Liberal Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LAMAR MIDDLE (rated 7.4/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Lamar), with a comparable rating. Another option is Frontenac Jr. High (rated 7.2/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Frontenac), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Pittsburg Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Pittsburg), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Liberal, see our Liberal schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.2 mi
School Distance Rating
LIBERAL HIGH Liberal 0.0 mi 8.0
LIBERAL ELEM. Liberal 0.2 mi 6.7
BRONAUGH ELEM. Bronaugh 9.6 mi 5.4
BRONAUGH HIGH Bronaugh 9.6 mi 5.5
North East High Arma 9.6 mi 3.8
Northeast Virtual School Arma 9.6 mi
Northeast Elem Arma 10.5 mi 5.0
Frank Layden Elem Frontenac 12.0 mi 8.5
Frontenac Jr. High Frontenac 12.0 mi 7.2
Frontenac Sr. High School Frontenac 12.1 mi 6.4
Meadowlark Elementary Pittsburg 12.9 mi 6.5
Pittsburg High Pittsburg 13.6 mi 4.7
Pittsburg Middle School Pittsburg 14.2 mi 6.9
ST MARYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pittsburg 14.3 mi 6.3
ST MARYS COLGAN ELEMENTARY AND JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Pittsburg 14.4 mi 7.5
LAMAR HIGH Lamar 13.5 mi 6.2
LAMAR ELEM. Lamar 13.6 mi 8.7
Westside Elem Pittsburg 14.9 mi 5.4
LAMAR MIDDLE Lamar 13.7 mi 7.4
SHELDON ELEM. Sheldon 14.2 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
MOUND CITY MIDDLE Mound City, MO 7.8
MARIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL St. Louis, MO 7.7
HERMITAGE MIDDLE Hermitage, MO 7.5
ST PETERS MIDDLE SCHOOL Joplin, MO 7.5
LOYOLA ACADEMY OF ST LOUIS St. Louis, MO 7.4
Carnahan Middle St. Louis, MO 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Liberal Middle

What grades does Liberal Middle serve?

Liberal Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Liberal Middle?

Liberal Middle has an enrollment of approximately 64 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Liberal Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Liberal Middle is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Liberal Middle rank in MO?

Liberal Middle ranks #352 of 2,221 schools in MO.

What is Liberal Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Liberal Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Liberal Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Liberal Middle has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Liberal Middle a charter school?

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

Is Liberal Middle a Title I school?

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

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

39.1% of students at Liberal 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
64
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Barton County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.4%

District

LIBERAL R-II
District Enrollment
284
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,877
District Rank
#2 of 3

Other Schools in This District

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

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.