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Very Good

#738 of 2,216 schools in MO

Top 33% in state

Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr.

Elementary School · ST. LOUIS CITY

5329 COLUMBIA AVE, St. Louis, MO 63139

Enrollment

281

Student-Teacher

10.8:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In St. Louis

#29 of 147

public schools

Missouri elementary schools

#407 of 1,202

In district

#11 of 63

ST. LOUIS CITY

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr.

SHAW VISUAL/PERF. ARTS CTR. is an elementary school located in the heart of St. Louis, offering a unique blend of visual and performing arts education to students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.

With 281 students enrolled, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.8:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention. The faculty consists of 26 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering creativity and academic growth. While the current MySchoolScout rating is 4.3 out of 10 and the state ranking places it at 1649 out of 2234 schools in Missouri (26th percentile), SHAW VISUAL/PERF.

ARTS CTR. continues to focus on student development and offers a rich arts curriculum that sets it apart from other local schools. The school's academic performance, as measured by the ELA reading proficiency rate at 15% and math proficiency at 10%, highlights areas where further growth is needed but also underscores the unique educational approach it provides. SHAW VISUAL/PERF.

ARTS CTR. sits in a vibrant part of St. Louis city, surrounded by cultural institutions and community resources that complement its mission to inspire young minds through the arts.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.21 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.4Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-7.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,843

Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. — Students at Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 10.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 15.3%
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
12%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
17%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. Compares

See how Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
67th percentile in MO
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

5329 COLUMBIA AVE, St. Louis, MO 63139

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BETTY WHEELER CLASSICAL JR. AC (rated 8.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MALLINCKRODT A.B.I. ELEM. (rated 8.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TOWER GROVE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in St. Louis, see our St. Louis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
ST AMBROSE SCHOOL St. Louis 0.4 mi 6.3
SOUTH CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOL St. Louis 0.5 mi 5.8
CENTRAL VISUAL/PERF. ARTS HIGH St. Louis 0.6 mi 5.3
PREMIER CHARTER SCHOOL St. Louis 0.7 mi 5.5
COLLEGIATE SCHOOL OF MED/BIO St. Louis 0.6 mi 8.8
GATEWAY SCIENCE ACADEMY HIGH St. Louis 0.7 mi 7.6
GATEWAY SCIENCE ACADEMY MIDDLE St. Louis 0.7 mi 8.2
GATEWAY HIGH St. Louis 0.8 mi 5.7
MASON ELEM. St. Louis 0.7 mi 5.4
BETTY WHEELER CLASSICAL JR. AC St. Louis 1.0 mi 8.8
COMPTON-DREW ILC MIDDLE St. Louis 1.2 mi 5.7
ST LOUIS UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL St. Louis 1.2 mi 5.2
TOWER GROVE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY St. Louis 1.1 mi 7.8
SOUTH CITY CATHOLIC ACADEMY LEARNING CENTER St. Louis 1.3 mi
MALLINCKRODT A.B.I. ELEM. St. Louis 1.4 mi 8.5
MULLANPHY BOTANICAL GARDENS St. Louis 1.3 mi 5.6
CITY GARDEN MONTESSORI ECEC St. Louis 1.3 mi 6.2
MARIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL St. Louis 1.4 mi 7.7
BUDER ELEM. St. Louis 1.6 mi 5.6
FOREST PARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL St. Louis 1.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 63139 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,749

Median Home Value

$199,400

Median Rent

$1,086/mo

Population

21,811

College Educated

49.4%

Homeownership

60%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

7.3%

Median Age

35.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. has a median household income of $74,749. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $199,400, with a median rent of $1,086/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
BOWERMAN ELEM. Springfield, MO 7.0
CLINTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Clinton, MO 7.0
FREDERICKTOWN INTERMEDIATE Fredericktown, MO 7.0
IBERIA ELEM. Iberia, MO 7.0
JOHN RIDGEWAY ELEM. Columbia, MO 7.0
KNOX CO. ELEM. Edina, MO 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr.

What grades does Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. serve?

Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr.?

Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. has an enrollment of approximately 281 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr.?

The student-teacher ratio at Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. rank in MO?

Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. is ranked #738 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr.'s MySchoolScout rating?

Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr.?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. has 10.5% math proficiency and 15.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. a charter school?

No, Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. a Title I school?

No, Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr.?

100.0% of students at Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Ctr. 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
High (7,108/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (St. Louis). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
St. Louis city
Data Year
2023–2024

District

ST. LOUIS CITY
District Enrollment
18,284
Schools in District
68
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,979
District Rank
#11 of 63

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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