Average
#856 of 2,221 schools in MO
Top 39% in state
South Middle
Middle School · Joplin Schools · Joplin, MO
A Joplin Schools middle school serving grades 6th – 8th.
PO BOX 128, Joplin, MO 64802
- Math 52% vs MO 46% (2025)
- Reading 42% vs MO 43% (2025)
- 14:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at South Middle score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
2025 MAP proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MO average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 6 points across the 17-year record (2009–2025) and has held near 47% recently.
Show all 16 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 47% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 48% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 42 test records from MO state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
47.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where South Middle sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 5Car-Dependent
- Bike 23Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High4,732/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Joplin), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Peters Middle SchoolPrivate · tuition | 7.5private | 6–8 | 3.4 mi | 56 | Compare → |
| East MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 3.6 | 6–8 | 3.9 mi | 586 | Compare → |
| North MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 3.8 | 6–8 | 4.2 mi | 542 | Compare → |
| Thomas Jefferson Independent Day SchoolPrivate · tuition | 7.8private | PK–12 | 5.0 mi | 275 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Joplin Schools
- Schools in district
- 16
- Rank in district
- #4 of 15
- District spending per student
- $10,792NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 17.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
South Middle is listed in JOPLIN SCHOOLS; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About South Middle
South Middle is a public middle school in Joplin, MO, part of Joplin Schools, serving approximately 575 students in grades 6th-8th with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #856 of 2,221 schools in MO. State assessment records show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 ranks #856 of 2,221 schools in MO.
What is South Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
South Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at South Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Middle has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 575
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Newton County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.3%
- Phone
- (417) 625-5250
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 MAP · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- State assessments · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.