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Average

#1019 of 2,216 schools in MO

Top 46% in state

Smith Cotton Junior High Schl

Middle School · SEDALIA 200

312 EAST BROADWAY, Sedalia, MO 65301

Enrollment

1,121

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sedalia

#5 of 10

public schools

Missouri middle schools

#185 of 390

In district

#5 of 9

SEDALIA 200

Academic growth

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Smith Cotton Junior High Schl

Smith Cotton Junior High School serves 1,121 students in grades 6 through 8 in Sedalia, Missouri. With 85 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, providing opportunities for more individualized attention in this sizable middle school environment. Academically, Smith Cotton Junior High has room for growth, with 33% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 43% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.

The school ranks #1307 out of 2,234 Missouri schools, placing it in the 42nd percentile statewide. These results reflect the school's ongoing focus on student development and academic improvement. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $56,271 and median home value is $148,100.

About 19% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 14.8% of families experience poverty, indicating a mix of economic backgrounds among the student population. Located on East Broadway in the heart of Sedalia, Smith Cotton Junior High School serves families in this remote town setting of Pettis County, where the ZIP code area encompasses nearly 35,000 residents in this central Missouri community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.7Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43%
Reading/ELA Proficiency33%
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected+3.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,238

Smith Cotton Junior High Schl — Students at Smith Cotton Junior High Schl score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
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
41%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
43%
ELA
33%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Smith Cotton Junior High Schl Compares

See how Smith Cotton Junior High Schl performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in MO
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
85 teachers

Location

312 EAST BROADWAY, Sedalia, MO 65301

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smith Cotton Junior High Schl may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. GREEN RIDGE ELEM. (rated 8.9/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Green Ridge), which scores notably higher. Another option is SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY & HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NORTHWEST HIGH (rated 8.5/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Hughesville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sedalia, see our Sedalia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.5 mi
School Distance Rating
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sedalia 0.1 mi 6.2
SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY & HIGH SCHOOL Sedalia 0.5 mi 8.6
WASHINGTON ELEM. Sedalia 0.6 mi 7.9
SEDALIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Sedalia 0.8 mi 5.0
EARLY CHILDHOOD CTR. Sedalia 0.8 mi 7.1
HORACE MANN ELEM. Sedalia 0.9 mi 8.4
PARKVIEW ELEM. Sedalia 1.2 mi 4.8
HEBER HUNT ELEM. Sedalia 1.3 mi 6.2
SKYLINE ELEM. Sedalia 2.2 mi 6.5
E W Thompson Sedalia 2.2 mi
SMITH-COTTON HIGH SCHOOL Sedalia 2.7 mi 5.1
APPLEWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sedalia 5.5 mi 6.5
PETTIS CO. ELEM. Sedalia 6.8 mi 4.9
SMITHTON ELEM. Smithton 7.4 mi 6.6
SMITHTON HIGH Smithton 7.4 mi 7.2
NORTHWEST HIGH Hughesville 10.4 mi 8.5
GREEN RIDGE ELEM. Green Ridge 11.6 mi 8.9
GREEN RIDGE HIGH Green Ridge 11.6 mi 5.5
LA MONTE HIGH La Monte 11.5 mi 6.5
LA MONTE ELEM. La Monte 11.5 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 65301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,906

Median Home Value

$159,700

Median Rent

$865/mo

Population

35,347

College Educated

18.8%

Homeownership

67.1%

Avg Commute

18.3 min

Poverty Rate

14.3%

Median Age

36.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Smith Cotton Junior High Schl has a median household income of $58,906. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $159,700, with a median rent of $865/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. 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
BRIDGER MIDDLE Independence, MO 6.5
JEFFERSON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL St. Charles, MO 6.5
OZARK JR. HIGH Ozark, MO 6.5
PATTONVILLE HEIGHTS MIDDLE Maryland Heights, MO 6.5
SAEGER MIDDLE St. Charles, MO 6.5
Carl Junction Intermediate Carl Junction, MO 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smith Cotton Junior High Schl

What grades does Smith Cotton Junior High Schl serve?

Smith Cotton Junior High Schl serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Smith Cotton Junior High Schl?

Smith Cotton Junior High Schl has an enrollment of approximately 1,121 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Smith Cotton Junior High Schl?

The student-teacher ratio at Smith Cotton Junior High Schl is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smith Cotton Junior High Schl rank in MO?

Smith Cotton Junior High Schl is ranked #1019 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Smith Cotton Junior High Schl's MySchoolScout rating?

Smith Cotton Junior High Schl has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Smith Cotton Junior High Schl?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smith Cotton Junior High Schl has 44.3% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Smith Cotton Junior High Schl a charter school?

No, Smith Cotton Junior High Schl is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Smith Cotton Junior High Schl a Title I school?

No, Smith Cotton Junior High Schl is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smith Cotton Junior High Schl?

66.7% of students at Smith Cotton Junior High Schl 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
70 Very Walkable
Bike Score
67 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,180/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,121
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
85
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Pettis County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SEDALIA 200
District Enrollment
5,069
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,620
District Rank
#5 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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