Very Good
#676 of 2,221 schools in MO
Top 30% in state
Pioneer Ridge Middle
Middle School · Independence 30 · Independence, MO
An Independence 30 middle school where students score 10 points above what's typical for similar communities.
1656 S SPECK RD, Independence, MO 64057
- Math 60% vs MO 48% (2025)
- Reading 38% vs MO 43% (2025)
- 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Pioneer Ridge Middle score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
2025 MAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MO average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 15 points since 2021, reaching 49% in 2025.
Show all 16 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 41% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 46% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 36 test records from MO state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
63.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Pioneer Ridge Middle sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Kansas City map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 8Car-Dependent
- Transit 0Minimal Transit
- Bike 22Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High4,110/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Independence), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$71,441
Median home value
$235,700
Median rent
$1,139/mo
College educated
28.5%
Homeownership
60.4%
Poverty rate
5.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 64057; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bingham MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 6.7 | 7–8 | 0.2 mi | 758 | Compare → |
| Center Place Restoration SchoolPrivate · tuition | 6.8private | PK–12 | 3.4 mi | 194 | Compare → |
| Paul Kinder Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 4.3 | 6–8 | 4.2 mi | 917 | Compare → |
| Clifford H. Nowlin MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 6.2 | 6–8 | Not available | 886 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Independence 30
- Schools in district
- 31
- Rank in district
- #4 of 28
- District spending per student
- $12,302NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 18.0%Census SAIPE · 2024
Pioneer Ridge Middle is listed in INDEPENDENCE 30; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Pioneer Ridge Middle
Pioneer Ridge Middle is a public middle school in Independence, MO, part of Independence 30, serving approximately 817 students in grades 7th-8th with a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #676 of 2,221 schools in MO. State assessment records show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Pioneer Ridge Middle
What grades does Pioneer Ridge Middle serve?
Pioneer Ridge Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Pioneer Ridge Middle?
Pioneer Ridge Middle has an enrollment of approximately 817 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Ridge Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Ridge Middle is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pioneer Ridge Middle rank in MO?
Pioneer Ridge Middle ranks #676 of 2,221 schools in MO.
What is Pioneer Ridge Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Pioneer Ridge Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Pioneer Ridge Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Pioneer Ridge Middle has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Pioneer Ridge Middle a charter school?
No, Pioneer Ridge Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pioneer Ridge Middle a Title I school?
No, Pioneer Ridge Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pioneer Ridge Middle?
63.6% of students at Pioneer Ridge 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 817
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Jackson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.9%
- Phone
- (816) 521-5385
- Area population (ZIP 64057)
- 14,509
- Area average commute
- 22.9 min
- Area median age
- 42.4
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- State assessments · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 64057; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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.