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Average

#949 of 2,216 schools in MO

Top 43% in state

Poplar Bluff Middle School

Middle School · POPLAR BLUFF R-I

1300 VICTORY LANE, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

Enrollment

970

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

6.6

Grades

4th – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Poplar Bluff

#5 of 11

public schools

Missouri middle schools

#170 of 390

In district

#3 of 9

POPLAR BLUFF R-I

Academic performance

7.4 / 10

Strong

About Poplar Bluff Middle School

Poplar Bluff Middle School serves 970 students in grades 4 through 6 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. With 76 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, providing opportunities for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school currently ranks in the 52nd percentile among Missouri's middle schools, with academic performance showing room for growth.

Both English Language Arts and mathematics assessments indicate that 40% of students perform at proficient or above levels across grade levels. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10, the school is focusing on student development and educational improvement initiatives. Located in Butler County, Poplar Bluff Middle School serves a diverse community where the median household income is $47,157 and approximately 21.5% of families face economic challenges.

The school's large enrollment makes it one of the more substantial educational institutions in the area, allowing for varied programming and resources despite the rural setting. The school operates within a close-knit community where the median home value is $133,700, reflecting the affordable nature of the area. Poplar Bluff Middle School sits in a remote town setting, serving families throughout Butler County who value the stability and community connections that come with small-town education.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment5.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,549

Poplar Bluff Middle School — Students at Poplar Bluff Middle School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
44%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
40%
ELA
40%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Poplar Bluff Middle School Compares

See how Poplar Bluff Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
57th percentile in MO
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
76 teachers

Location

1300 VICTORY LANE, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Poplar Bluff Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. O'NEAL ELEM. (rated 8.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is W. E. SEARS YOUTH CTR. (rated 8.1/10, 8.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FIRST BAPTIST SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Poplar Bluff, see our Poplar Bluff schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.0 mi
School Distance Rating
FIRST BAPTIST SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 0.5 mi 6.9
POPLAR BLUFF JR. HIGH Poplar Bluff 0.6 mi 6.6
SHADY GROVE SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 0.9 mi 6.7
O'NEAL ELEM. Poplar Bluff 1.0 mi 8.5
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 1.0 mi 6.7
POPLAR BLUFF KINDERGARTEN CTR. Poplar Bluff 1.5 mi 6.5
POPLAR BLUFF EARLY CHILDHOOD C Poplar Bluff 1.6 mi 5.9
EUGENE FIELD ELEM. Poplar Bluff 2.0 mi 6.0
WESTWOOD BAPTIST ACADEMY Poplar Bluff 2.7 mi 4.8
POPLAR BLUFF HIGH Poplar Bluff 2.7 mi 5.6
OAK GROVE ELEM. Poplar Bluff 2.7 mi 5.9
LAKE ROAD ELEM. Poplar Bluff 4.4 mi 4.6
SIERRA-OSAGE TREATMENT CTR. Poplar Bluff 8.2 mi
W. E. SEARS YOUTH CTR. Poplar Bluff 8.4 mi 8.1
HILLVIEW ELEM. Harviell 9.9 mi 6.4
TWIN RIVERS HIGH Broseley 11.3 mi 6.3
FISK ELEMENTARY Fisk 11.2 mi 4.2
NEELYVILLE HIGH Neelyville 15.2 mi 5.5
NEELYVILLE ELEM. Neelyville 15.2 mi 5.3
QULIN ELEMENTARY Qulin 15.0 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 Middle School 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
POPLAR BLUFF JR. HIGH Poplar Bluff, MO 6.6
SOUTHWEST MIDDLE Ballwin, MO 6.6
BRIDGER MIDDLE Independence, MO 6.5
JEFFERSON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL St. Charles, MO 6.5
MAPLE PARK MIDDLE Kansas City, MO 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Poplar Bluff Middle School

What grades does Poplar Bluff Middle School serve?

Poplar Bluff Middle School serves students in grades 4th through 6th.

How many students attend Poplar Bluff Middle School?

Poplar Bluff Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 970 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Poplar Bluff Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Poplar Bluff Middle School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Poplar Bluff Middle School rank in MO?

Poplar Bluff Middle School is ranked #949 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Poplar Bluff Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Poplar Bluff Middle School 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Poplar Bluff Middle School has 40.0% math proficiency and 41.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Poplar Bluff Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Poplar Bluff Middle School a Title I school?

No, Poplar Bluff Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Poplar Bluff Middle School?

72.0% of students at Poplar Bluff Middle School 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
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Low (248/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
4th – 6th
Enrollment
970
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
76
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.0%
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
#3 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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