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Excellent

#22 of 2,216 schools in MO

Top 1% in state

Polo Middle

Middle School · POLO R-VII

300 W SCHOOL ST, Polo, MO 64671

Enrollment

102

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

9.2

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Polo

#1 of 4

public schools

Missouri middle schools

#2 of 390

In district

#1 of 3

POLO R-VII

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Polo Middle

Polo Middle serves 102 students across grades 5 through 8 in Polo, Missouri. Its student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1 keeps class sizes small, giving students consistent access to their teachers in ways that larger schools rarely deliver. The numbers tell a clear story.

Polo Middle ranks #22 out of 2,216 public schools statewide — outperforming 99% of Missouri schools — and holds the #2 spot among 390 middle schools in the state. That standing reflects a composite score of 9.2 out of 10, anchored by a 9.4 academic score and a 9.7 growth score. The growth figure is particularly significant: it measures year-over-year student progress relative to peers, and a 9.7 signals that students here consistently exceed expected academic gains regardless of where they started.

This school carries an "Exceptional" label, the top rating on the MySchoolScout scale. For families comparing middle school options in the region, Polo Middle is the highest-ranked school in Polo and one of the strongest academic performers in Missouri. The combination of a small enrollment, close teacher access, and documented above-average growth makes it a strong option for parents who want both measurable achievement and individual attention during a critical stretch of their child's education.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 102 students, Polo Middle 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.

Located in a rural area, Polo 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 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+15.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,204

Polo Middle — Students at Polo Middle score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 55.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
57%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Polo Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
9.2/10
99th percentile in MO
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

Location

300 W SCHOOL ST, Polo, MO 64671

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Polo Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HAMILTON MIDDLE (rated 6.5/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Hamilton), a more accessible option. Another option is CAMERON VETERANS MIDDLE (rated 5.9/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Cameron), a more accessible option. Additionally, LAWSON MIDDLE (rated 4.9/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Lawson), a more accessible option. For more schools in Polo, see our Polo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.6 mi
School Distance Rating
POLO ELEM. Polo 0.0 mi 3.9
POLO HIGH Polo 0.0 mi 5.8
KINGSTON ELEM. Kingston 6.6 mi 8.9
MIRABILE ELEM. Polo 6.8 mi 3.4
COWGILL ELEM. Cowgill 6.5 mi 9.3
NEW YORK ELEM. Hamilton 11.2 mi
LAWSON MIDDLE Lawson 11.1 mi 4.9
LAWSON HIGH Lawson 11.1 mi 7.0
SOUTHWEST ELEM. Lawson 11.9 mi 8.0
PENNEY HIGH Hamilton 14.1 mi 8.0
HAMILTON MIDDLE Hamilton 14.1 mi 6.5
HAMILTON ELEM. Hamilton 14.2 mi 7.1
ELKHORN ELEMENTARY Excelsior Springs 16.2 mi 6.6
BRAYMER ELEM. Braymer 13.1 mi 6.7
BRAYMER HIGH Braymer 13.1 mi 6.4
CAMERON HIGH Cameron 16.3 mi 5.6
WATKINS MILL PARK CAMP Lawson 15.6 mi 7.8
CAMERON VETERANS MIDDLE Cameron 16.3 mi 5.9
CAMERON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Cameron 16.4 mi 5.2
PARKVIEW ELEM. Cameron 16.6 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 64671 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,891

Median Home Value

$166,800

Median Rent

$495/mo

Population

1,877

College Educated

17.7%

Homeownership

89.2%

Avg Commute

39.9 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

42.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Polo Middle has a median household income of $69,891. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,800, with a median rent of $495/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute in the area is 40 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
MANSFIELD JR. HIGH Mansfield, MO 8.5
WESTRAN MIDDLE Clifton Hill, MO 8.5
EAST CARTER CO. R-II MIDDLE Ellsinore, MO 8.3
PINEVILLE ELEM. Noel, MO 8.2
Carnahan Middle St. Louis, MO 8.1
KANSAS CITY GIRLS PREP MIDDLE Kansas City, MO 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Polo Middle

What grades does Polo Middle serve?

Polo Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Polo Middle?

Polo Middle has an enrollment of approximately 102 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Polo Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Polo Middle is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Polo Middle rank in MO?

Polo Middle is ranked #22 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Polo Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Polo Middle has a composite rating of 9.2 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 Polo Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Polo Middle has 55.3% math proficiency and 55.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Polo Middle a charter school?

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

Is Polo Middle a Title I school?

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

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

41.2% of students at Polo 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
35 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (337/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
102
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Caldwell County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

POLO R-VII
District Enrollment
395
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,032
District Rank
#1 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

Related reading

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