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Needs Improvement

#2142 of 2,216 schools in MO

Thomas J. Ultican Elem.

Elementary School · BLUE SPRINGS R-IV

1812 NW VESPER, Blue Springs, MO 64015

Enrollment

430

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

3.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Blue Springs

#16 of 16

public schools

Missouri elementary schools

#1,149 of 1,202

In district

#20 of 20

BLUE SPRINGS R-IV

Academic performance

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Thomas J. Ultican Elem.

Thomas J. Ultican Elementary is a regular public school located in the suburban area of Blue Springs, Missouri, within Jackson County. The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 430 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1.

Thomas J. Ultican Elementary employs 28 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse student body. Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks as the 36th percentile among Missouri schools, placing it at number 1437 out of 2234 total schools in the state.

In terms of proficiency rates, 59% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math. Thomas J. Ultican Elementary focuses on providing a supportive learning environment that emphasizes student development and growth.

While there is room for improvement in academic performance, the school remains committed to helping each child reach their full potential. The suburban setting offers a blend of urban amenities and a close-knit community atmosphere, making it an appealing choice for families seeking a nurturing educational experience.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.4Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-9.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43%
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected+0.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.6Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,399

Thomas J. Ultican Elem. — Students at Thomas J. Ultican Elem. score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 59.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 58.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
74%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
59%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
43%

* 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: 1.4/10.

How Thomas J. Ultican Elem. Compares

See how Thomas J. Ultican Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.6/10
3th percentile in MO
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
1.4/10
Below average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

1812 NW VESPER, Blue Springs, MO 64015

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thomas J. Ultican Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FRANKLIN SMITH ELEM. (rated 9.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PRAIRIE BRANCH ELEM. (rated 7.0/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Grain Valley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TIMOTHY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Blue Springs, see our Blue Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
BLUE SPRINGS HIGH Blue Springs 0.5 mi 4.8
ST JOHN LALANDE SCHOOL Blue Springs 0.7 mi 6.3
FRANKLIN SMITH ELEM. Blue Springs 1.2 mi 9.1
PLAZA HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Blue Springs 1.2 mi 6.3
RAINBOW CENTER FOR COMMUNICATIVE DISORDERS Blue Springs 1.1 mi 5.8
JAMES WALKER ELEM. Blue Springs 1.4 mi 5.6
JAMES LEWIS ELEM. Blue Springs 2.1 mi 5.4
WILLIAM BRYANT ELEM. Blue Springs 1.9 mi 3.9
PAUL KINDER MIDDLE SCHOOL Blue Springs 2.1 mi 6.1
MORELAND RIDGE MIDDLE Blue Springs 2.5 mi 5.6
DANIEL YOUNG ELEM. Blue Springs 2.3 mi 5.5
SUNNY POINTE ELEM. Blue Springs 2.2 mi 5.4
LIGGETT TRAIL EDUCATION CENTER Blue Springs 2.5 mi 7.6
LUCY FRANKLIN ELEM. Blue Springs 2.3 mi 5.8
BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH HIGH Blue Springs 2.1 mi 4.2
JOHN NOWLIN ELEM. Blue Springs 2.1 mi 5.1
BRITTANY HILL MIDDLE Blue Springs 2.4 mi 6.2
CORDILL-MASON ELEM. Blue Springs 2.9 mi 5.0
TIMOTHY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Blue Springs 3.7 mi 6.6
PRAIRIE BRANCH ELEM. Grain Valley 4.0 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 64015 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,242

Median Home Value

$249,500

Median Rent

$1,148/mo

Population

31,814

College Educated

34.4%

Homeownership

71.9%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Poverty Rate

6.2%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Thomas J. Ultican Elem. has a median household income of $81,242. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $249,500, with a median rent of $1,148/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
ADRIAN ELEM. Adrian, MO 3.6
BLADES ELEM. St. Louis, MO 3.6
HILLSBORO ELEM. Hillsboro, MO 3.6
JURY ELEM. Florissant, MO 3.6
KELLYBROOK ELEM SCHOOL Kansas City, MO 3.6
KIPP VICTORY ACADEMY St. Louis, MO 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thomas J. Ultican Elem.

What grades does Thomas J. Ultican Elem. serve?

Thomas J. Ultican Elem. serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Thomas J. Ultican Elem.?

Thomas J. Ultican Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 430 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas J. Ultican Elem.?

The student-teacher ratio at Thomas J. Ultican Elem. is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thomas J. Ultican Elem. rank in MO?

Thomas J. Ultican Elem. is ranked #2142 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Thomas J. Ultican Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas J. Ultican Elem. has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Thomas J. Ultican Elem.?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas J. Ultican Elem. has 59.3% math proficiency and 58.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Thomas J. Ultican Elem. a charter school?

No, Thomas J. Ultican Elem. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Thomas J. Ultican Elem. a Title I school?

No, Thomas J. Ultican Elem. is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas J. Ultican Elem.?

44.2% of students at Thomas J. Ultican Elem. 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 (2,686/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
430
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Jackson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BLUE SPRINGS R-IV
District Enrollment
14,744
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,950
District Rank
#20 of 20

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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