Average
#1609 of 2,216 schools in MO
South Middle
Middle School · JOPLIN SCHOOLS
PO BOX 128, Joplin, MO 64802
Enrollment
575
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
575
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Joplin
#8 of 15
public schools
Missouri middle schools
#303 of 390
In district
#8 of 15
JOPLIN SCHOOLS
About South Middle
South Middle, located in the rural outskirts of Joplin, Missouri, is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 575 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14:1, South Middle offers personalized attention to each learner. The school has 41 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering academic growth in a supportive environment.
South Middle's MySchoolScout rating is 4.8 out of 10, placing it at the 38th percentile among Missouri schools with a state ranking of #1391 out of 2234. In terms of academic performance, 45% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, and 40% meet proficiency standards in math. While these scores indicate room for improvement, South Middle remains committed to enhancing its curriculum and support systems.
The school's rural setting near a small town offers students a close-knit community atmosphere where they can develop social skills alongside their academic pursuits.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Middle — Students at South Middle score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.1/10.
How South Middle Compares
See how South Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 38% (2019) to 41% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 36% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 128, Joplin, MO 64802
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ST PETERS MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NORTH MIDDLE (rated 7.0/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EAST MIDDLE (rated 4.2/10, 3.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Joplin, see our Joplin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| STAPLETON ELEM. Joplin | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| KELSEY NORMAN ELEM. Joplin | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
| MARTIN LUTHER SCHOOL Joplin | 2.0 mi | 6.4 |
| JOPLIN HIGH Joplin | 2.5 mi | 4.4 |
| IRVING ELEMENTARY Joplin | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| JOPLIN EARLY CHILDHOOD CTR. Joplin | 2.4 mi | 5.2 |
| GATEWAY SCHOOL Joplin | 3.1 mi | — |
| ST PETERS MIDDLE SCHOOL Joplin | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
| CECIL FLOYD ELEM. Joplin | 3.1 mi | 6.4 |
| MCAULEY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Joplin | 3.4 mi | 7.6 |
| EASTMORLAND ELEM. Joplin | 3.4 mi | 4.0 |
| MCKINLEY ELEM. Joplin | 3.7 mi | 7.6 |
| NORTH MIDDLE Joplin | 4.2 mi | 7.0 |
| EAST MIDDLE Joplin | 3.9 mi | 4.2 |
| SOARING HEIGHTS ELEM. Joplin | 4.0 mi | 4.1 |
| JEFFERSON ELEM. Joplin | 4.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Dover Hill Elementary Joplin | 4.9 mi | 5.1 |
| ROYAL HEIGHTS ELEM. Joplin | 5.2 mi | 5.4 |
| THOMAS JEFFERSON INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL Joplin | 5.0 mi | 7.8 |
| COLLEGE VIEW SCHOOL Joplin | 5.2 mi | — |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| LINCOLN COLLEGE ACADEMY MIDDLE Kansas City, MO | 5.4 |
| SECKMAN MIDDLE Imperial, MO | 5.4 |
| ST. CLAIR JR. HIGH St. Clair, MO | 5.4 |
| WEST MIDDLE Hazelwood, MO | 5.4 |
| BRANSON JR. HIGH Branson, MO | 5.5 |
| DISCOVERY MIDDLE SCHOOL Liberty, MO | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Middle
What grades does South Middle serve?
South Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend South Middle?
South Middle has an enrollment of approximately 575 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at South Middle is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Middle rank in MO?
South Middle is ranked #1609 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is South Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
South Middle has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Middle has 39.7% math proficiency and 45.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Middle a charter school?
No, South Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Middle a Title I school?
No, South Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Middle?
47.3% of students at South 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,732/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Joplin). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 575
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Newton County
- Phone
- (417) 625-5250
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
JOPLIN SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 7,746
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,792
- District Rank
- #8 of 15
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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