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Needs Improvement

#2097 of 2,221 schools in MO

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

3.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri schools

#2,097 of 2,221

In Poplar Bluff

#9 of 11

public schools

In district

#7 of 9

POPLAR BLUFF R-I

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Poplar Bluff Jr. High

3.7/10

Middle School in Poplar Bluff · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

First Baptist School

6.9/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Poplar Bluff Middle School

5.7/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Poplar Bluff Jr. High

Poplar Bluff Jr. High is a public middle school in Poplar Bluff, MO, part of POPLAR BLUFF R-I. Poplar Bluff Jr.

High serves approximately 750 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Poplar Bluff Jr. High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,097 of 2,221 schools in MO.

Structured state assessment records for Poplar Bluff Jr. High show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.7
  • MO avg 6.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-7.64 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.3% (2025 MAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.6% (2025 MAP)
Math vs. State Avg-7.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2025 MAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2025 MAP)
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,411
Chronic Absenteeism25.7%

Poplar Bluff Jr. High — Students at Poplar Bluff Jr. High score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

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 MAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.3% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 45.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.5% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 38 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
51%
ELA
48%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
51%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
51%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
55%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
29%
ELA
56%
2016
Math
26%
ELA
55%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
31%
ELA
45%
2019
Math
31%
ELA
45%
2020*
Math
38%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
39%
ELA
36%
2024
Math
48.2%
ELA
41.1%
2025
Math
39.3%
ELA
34.6%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Poplar Bluff Jr. High Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
6th percentile in MO
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. NEELYVILLE ELEM. (rated 8.0/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Neelyville), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEELYVILLE HIGH (rated 7.1/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Neelyville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, QULIN ELEMENTARY (rated 7.0/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Qulin), which scores notably 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 5.7
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 0.5 mi 6.7
EUGENE FIELD ELEM. Poplar Bluff 1.4 mi 4.1
SHADY GROVE SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 1.4 mi 4.0
O'NEAL ELEM. Poplar Bluff 1.5 mi 5.0
POPLAR BLUFF KINDERGARTEN CTR. Poplar Bluff 1.8 mi 4.9
POPLAR BLUFF EARLY CHILDHOOD C Poplar Bluff 1.9 mi 3.5
WESTWOOD BAPTIST ACADEMY Poplar Bluff 3.2 mi 4.8
POPLAR BLUFF HIGH Poplar Bluff 3.2 mi 3.7
OAK GROVE ELEM. Poplar Bluff 3.1 mi 5.1
LAKE ROAD ELEM. Poplar Bluff 4.3 mi 4.5
SIERRA-OSAGE TREATMENT CTR. Poplar Bluff 8.7 mi
W. E. SEARS YOUTH CTR. Poplar Bluff 8.9 mi 6.3
HILLVIEW ELEM. Harviell 9.7 mi 6.7
TWIN RIVERS HIGH Broseley 10.8 mi 6.8
FISK ELEMENTARY Fisk 11.1 mi 6.6
NEELYVILLE HIGH Neelyville 14.8 mi 7.1
NEELYVILLE ELEM. Neelyville 14.8 mi 8.0
QULIN ELEMENTARY Qulin 14.5 mi 7.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
SOUTHEAST MIDDLE St. Louis, MO 3.7
BRITTANY WOODS University City, MO 3.8
GATEWAY MIDDLE St. Louis, MO 3.8
NORTH MIDDLE Joplin, MO 3.8
EAST MIDDLE Joplin, MO 3.6
CENTRAL JR. HIGH Cape Girardeau, MO 3.9

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 ranks #2,097 of 2,221 schools in MO.

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

Poplar Bluff Jr. High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Poplar Bluff Jr. High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Poplar Bluff Jr. High has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
68 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.7%

District

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

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