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Very Good

#374 of 2,216 schools in MO

Top 17% in state

South Harrison Middle

Middle School · SOUTH HARRISON CO. R-II

PO BOX 445, Bethany, MO 64424

Enrollment

245

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

7.7

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bethany

#1 of 3

public schools

Missouri middle schools

#56 of 390

In district

#1 of 3

SOUTH HARRISON CO. R-II

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About South Harrison Middle

South Harrison Middle, located in Bethany, Missouri, is a regular public middle school serving students from fifth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 245 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, the school benefits from a relatively small class size, ensuring that each student receives individual attention. The dedicated staff includes 18 full-time equivalent teachers who work to support the academic needs of their students.

South Harrison Middle's MySchoolScout rating is 6.0 out of 10, placing it at number 788 out of 2234 schools in Missouri, which corresponds to the 65th percentile overall. In terms of specific test scores, 35% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 42% are proficient or above in Math. While these numbers indicate areas for improvement, they also highlight opportunities for growth and development.

The school is situated in a remote rural area, offering a close-knit community setting where teachers and parents work closely together to support student success. South Harrison Middle stands out as an integral part of the Bethany community, fostering a supportive learning environment that values each student's unique journey.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, South Harrison Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.9Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment6.4Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,307

South Harrison Middle — Students at South Harrison Middle score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
34%
2022
Math
44%
ELA
37%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How South Harrison Middle Compares

See how South Harrison Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
83th percentile in MO
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

PO BOX 445, Bethany, MO 64424

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Harrison Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. NORTH HARRISON ELEM. (rated 9.1/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Eagleville), which scores notably higher. Another option is VIRGINIA E. GEORGE ELEM. (rated 8.5/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Albany), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ALBANY HIGH (rated 8.4/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Albany), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bethany, see our Bethany schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.0 mi
School Distance Rating
SOUTH HARRISON HIGH Bethany 0.1 mi 7.0
SOUTH HARRISON ELEM. Bethany 1.5 mi 5.4
RIDGEWAY ELEM. Ridgeway 7.7 mi 3.5
RIDGEWAY HIGH Ridgeway 7.7 mi 5.2
NORTH HARRISON HIGH Eagleville 13.1 mi 8.1
NORTH HARRISON ELEM. Eagleville 13.2 mi 9.1
GILMAN CITY ELEM. Gilman City 12.7 mi 6.8
GILMAN CITY HIGH Gilman City 12.7 mi 7.1
PATTONSBURG ELEM. Pattonsburg 15.2 mi 5.6
PATTONSBURG HIGH Pattonsburg 15.2 mi 7.4
NORTH DAVIESS ELEM. Jameson 19.3 mi 8.3
NORTH DAVIESS HIGH Jameson 19.3 mi 6.4
ZADIE CREEK SCHOOL Eagleville 19.6 mi
CAINSVILLE ELEM. Cainsville 16.8 mi 4.8
CAINSVILLE HIGH Cainsville 16.8 mi 5.9
VIRGINIA E. GEORGE ELEM. Albany 16.6 mi 8.5
ALBANY HIGH Albany 16.8 mi 8.4
ALBANY MIDDLE Albany 16.8 mi 7.2
Lamoni Elementary School Lamoni 24.0 mi 5.1
Lamoni High School Lamoni 24.0 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 64424 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,867

Median Home Value

$119,700

Median Rent

$634/mo

Population

3,664

College Educated

21.4%

Homeownership

66.2%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

14.2%

Median Age

43.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Harrison Middle has a median household income of $53,867. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $119,700, with a median rent of $634/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.2%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
GRAND CENTER ARTS ACAD MIDDLE St. Louis, MO 7.7
HOLLISTER MIDDLE Hollister, MO 7.7
PUXICO JR. HIGH Puxico, MO 7.7
SCOTT CITY MIDDLE Scott City, MO 7.7
BLAIR OAKS MIDDLE SCHOOL Jefferson City, MO 7.8
FORSYTH MIDDLE Forsyth, MO 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Harrison Middle

What grades does South Harrison Middle serve?

South Harrison Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend South Harrison Middle?

South Harrison Middle has an enrollment of approximately 245 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Harrison Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at South Harrison Middle is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Harrison Middle rank in MO?

South Harrison Middle is ranked #374 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is South Harrison Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

South Harrison Middle has a composite rating of 7.7 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 South Harrison Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Harrison Middle has 42.3% math proficiency and 35.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Harrison Middle a charter school?

No, South Harrison Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Harrison Middle a Title I school?

No, South Harrison Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Harrison Middle?

57.6% of students at South Harrison Middle 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (717/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
245
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Harrison County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SOUTH HARRISON CO. R-II
District Enrollment
790
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,615
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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