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
Enrollment
102
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
9.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Polo Middle — Students at Polo Middle score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.2%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Polo Middle Compares
See how Polo Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 57% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (660) 354-2200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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