Very Good
#359 of 2,216 schools in MO
Top 16% in state
Plaza Middle
Middle School · PARK HILL
6501 NW 72ND ST, Kansas City, MO 64151
Enrollment
676
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
676
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kansas City
#14 of 137
public schools
Missouri middle schools
#52 of 390
In district
#7 of 18
PARK HILL
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Plaza Middle
Plaza Middle serves 676 students in grades 6-8 in Kansas City, Missouri, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10, the school ranks #208 out of 2,234 Missouri schools, placing it in the 91st percentile statewide. The school maintains a favorable 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio with 54 full-time equivalent teachers, creating opportunities for more individualized attention.
Academically, Plaza Middle demonstrates solid performance with 50% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 43% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. Plaza Middle is situated in the 64151 ZIP code area, a well-established community where the median household income reaches $85,022 and median home values are $274,000. The neighborhood reflects a commitment to education, with 40% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and maintaining a low poverty rate of 7.3%.
This stable community of nearly 29,000 residents provides a supportive environment for the school's educational mission. Located on NW 72nd Street, Plaza Middle operates within Kansas City's large urban setting while serving families in this economically stable area of Platte County.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Plaza Middle — Students at Plaza Middle score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.7/10.
How Plaza Middle Compares
See how Plaza Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
6501 NW 72ND ST, Kansas City, MO 64151
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Plaza Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LAKEVIEW MIDDLE (rated 8.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is WALDEN MIDDLE (rated 8.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, CONGRESS MIDDLE (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Kansas City, see our Kansas City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| THOMAS B. CHINN ELEM. Kansas City | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| ST THERESE SCHOOL Kansas City | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| ENGLISH LANDING ELEM. Kansas City | 0.8 mi | 8.8 |
| LAKEVIEW MIDDLE Kansas City | 0.9 mi | 8.6 |
| PRAIRIE POINT ELEM. Kansas City | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| ALFRED L. RENNER ELEM. Kansas City | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| GERNER FAMILY EARLY ED CTR. Kansas City | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| CONGRESS MIDDLE Kansas City | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| PARK HILL HIGH Kansas City | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| GRADEN ELEM. Parkville | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| SOUTHEAST ELEM. Kansas City | 2.1 mi | 6.2 |
| WALDEN MIDDLE Kansas City | 2.3 mi | 8.4 |
| TIFFANY RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHL Kansas City | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| HOPEWELL ELEMENTARY Kansas City | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
| CLAY-PLATTE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kansas City | 3.0 mi | 8.1 |
| LINE CREEK ELEM. Kansas City | 3.0 mi | 5.9 |
| PARK HILL SOUTH HIGH Riverside | 3.7 mi | 6.3 |
| PATHFINDER ELEM. Kansas City | 3.3 mi | 4.4 |
| HAWTHORN ELEM. Kansas City | 3.3 mi | 8.6 |
| WEST ENGLEWOOD ELEMENTARY Kansas City | 3.5 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 64151 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$91,348
Median Home Value
$292,500
Median Rent
$1,333/mo
Population
28,706
College Educated
42%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
22.8 min
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Median Age
39.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Plaza Middle has a median household income of $91,348. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $292,500, with a median rent of $1,333/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| CAMDENTON MIDDLE Camdenton, MO | 7.8 |
| CENTRAL MIDDLE Chesterfield, MO | 7.8 |
| GRAIN VALLEY SOUTH MIDDLE SCHL Grain Valley, MO | 7.8 |
| WEST MIDDLE Chesterfield, MO | 7.8 |
| WILDWOOD MIDDLE Wildwood, MO | 7.8 |
| CENTRAL JR. HIGH Cape Girardeau, MO | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Plaza Middle
What grades does Plaza Middle serve?
Plaza Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Plaza Middle?
Plaza Middle has an enrollment of approximately 676 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Plaza Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Plaza Middle is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Plaza Middle rank in MO?
Plaza Middle is ranked #359 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Plaza Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Plaza Middle has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Plaza Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Plaza Middle has 42.7% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Plaza Middle a charter school?
No, Plaza Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Plaza Middle a Title I school?
No, Plaza Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Plaza Middle?
29.3% of students at Plaza 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
- Walk Score
- 34 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 22 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 36 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (6,241/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kansas City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 676
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Platte County
- Phone
- (816) 359-4210
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PARK HILL- District Enrollment
- 11,915
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,382
- District Rank
- #7 of 18
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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