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Average

#948 of 2,216 schools in MO

Top 43% in state

Poplar Bluff Jr. High

Middle School · POPLAR BLUFF R-I

550 N WESTWOOD, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

Enrollment

750

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

6.6

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Poplar Bluff

#4 of 11

public schools

Missouri middle schools

#169 of 390

In district

#2 of 9

POPLAR BLUFF R-I

Academic growth

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Poplar Bluff Jr. High

Poplar Bluff Jr. High serves approximately 750 students in grades 7 and 8 in Poplar Bluff, a remote town in Butler County, Missouri. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1 with 53 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, providing a moderately-sized learning environment for middle schoolers.

Academically, the school is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects. In English language arts, 43% of students score at proficient levels or above, while math proficiency stands at 36% across grade levels. These results reflect room for academic growth and development.

The school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 places it at the 48th percentile statewide, ranking #1154 among Missouri's 2234 schools. Located at 550 N Westwood, Poplar Bluff Jr. High serves as a community resource in its remote town setting, offering middle-grade students a transition point in their educational journey.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.4Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36%
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,549

Poplar Bluff Jr. High — Students at Poplar Bluff Jr. High score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
31%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
39%
ELA
36%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Poplar Bluff Jr. High Compares

See how Poplar Bluff Jr. High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
57th percentile in MO
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers

Location

550 N WESTWOOD, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Poplar Bluff Jr. High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. O'NEAL ELEM. (rated 8.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is W. E. SEARS YOUTH CTR. (rated 8.1/10, 8.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FIRST BAPTIST SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Poplar Bluff, see our Poplar Bluff schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.5 mi
School Distance Rating
FIRST BAPTIST SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 0.1 mi 6.9
POPLAR BLUFF MIDDLE SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 0.6 mi 6.6
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 0.5 mi 6.7
EUGENE FIELD ELEM. Poplar Bluff 1.4 mi 6.0
SHADY GROVE SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 1.4 mi 6.7
O'NEAL ELEM. Poplar Bluff 1.5 mi 8.5
POPLAR BLUFF KINDERGARTEN CTR. Poplar Bluff 1.8 mi 6.5
POPLAR BLUFF EARLY CHILDHOOD C Poplar Bluff 1.9 mi 5.9
WESTWOOD BAPTIST ACADEMY Poplar Bluff 3.2 mi 4.8
POPLAR BLUFF HIGH Poplar Bluff 3.2 mi 5.6
OAK GROVE ELEM. Poplar Bluff 3.1 mi 5.9
LAKE ROAD ELEM. Poplar Bluff 4.3 mi 4.6
SIERRA-OSAGE TREATMENT CTR. Poplar Bluff 8.7 mi
W. E. SEARS YOUTH CTR. Poplar Bluff 8.9 mi 8.1
HILLVIEW ELEM. Harviell 9.7 mi 6.4
TWIN RIVERS HIGH Broseley 10.8 mi 6.3
FISK ELEMENTARY Fisk 11.1 mi 4.2
NEELYVILLE HIGH Neelyville 14.8 mi 5.5
NEELYVILLE ELEM. Neelyville 14.8 mi 5.3
QULIN ELEMENTARY Qulin 14.5 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 63901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,979

Median Home Value

$143,200

Median Rent

$785/mo

Population

34,920

College Educated

16.4%

Homeownership

62.4%

Avg Commute

18.4 min

Poverty Rate

19.9%

Median Age

37.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Poplar Bluff Jr. High has a median household income of $49,979. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,200, with a median rent of $785/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
FARMINGTON MIDDLE Farmington, MO 6.6
LINCOLN INTERMEDIATE Farmington, MO 6.6
POPLAR BLUFF MIDDLE SCHOOL Poplar Bluff, MO 6.6
SOUTHWEST MIDDLE Ballwin, MO 6.6
T. S. HILL MIDDLE Dexter, MO 6.6
WEST PLAINS MIDDLE West Plains, MO 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Poplar Bluff Jr. High

What grades does Poplar Bluff Jr. High serve?

Poplar Bluff Jr. High serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Poplar Bluff Jr. High?

Poplar Bluff Jr. High has an enrollment of approximately 750 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Poplar Bluff Jr. High?

The student-teacher ratio at Poplar Bluff Jr. High is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Poplar Bluff Jr. High rank in MO?

Poplar Bluff Jr. High is ranked #948 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Poplar Bluff Jr. High's MySchoolScout rating?

Poplar Bluff Jr. High has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Poplar Bluff Jr. High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Poplar Bluff Jr. High has 36.0% math proficiency and 43.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Poplar Bluff Jr. High a charter school?

No, Poplar Bluff Jr. High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Poplar Bluff Jr. High a Title I school?

No, Poplar Bluff Jr. High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Poplar Bluff Jr. High?

62.7% of students at Poplar Bluff Jr. High 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

City Safety
Low (248/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Poplar Bluff). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Butler County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

POPLAR BLUFF R-I
District Enrollment
5,074
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,411
District Rank
#2 of 9

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

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