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Below Average

#1775 of 2,221 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

4.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri schools

#1,775 of 2,221

In Blue Springs

#14 of 16

public schools

In district

#18 of 20

BLUE SPRINGS R-IV

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Thomas J. Ultican Elem.

4.8/10

Elementary School in Blue Springs · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Blue Springs High

6.8/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

St John Lalande School

6.3/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Thomas J. Ultican Elem.

Thomas J. Ultican Elem. is a public elementary school in Blue Springs, MO, part of BLUE SPRINGS R-IV. Thomas J.

Ultican Elem. serves approximately 430 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas J. Ultican Elem. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,775 of 2,221 schools in MO.

Structured state assessment records for Thomas J. Ultican Elem. show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 7.2
  • MO avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-2.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.2% (2025 MAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.4% (2025 MAP)
Math vs. State Avg-7.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.9 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2025 MAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 MAP)
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,950
Chronic Absenteeism16.7%

Thomas J. Ultican Elem. — Students at Thomas J. Ultican Elem. score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

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 MAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 56.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.7% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 40 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
64%
ELA
45%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
56%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
43%
2014
Math
78%
ELA
69%
2015
Math
81%
ELA
83%
2016
Math
69%
ELA
80%
2017
Math
66%
ELA
65%
2018
Math
74%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
74%
ELA
72%
2020*
Math
59%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
59%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
43%
2024
Math
47.4%
ELA
41.7%
2025
Math
40.2%
ELA
43.4%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Thomas J. Ultican Elem. Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
20th percentile in MO
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
4.7/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 9.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is JAMES LEWIS ELEM. (rated 9.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, JOHN NOWLIN ELEM. (rated 8.8/10, 2.1 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 6.8
ST JOHN LALANDE SCHOOL Blue Springs 0.7 mi 6.3
FRANKLIN SMITH ELEM. Blue Springs 1.2 mi 9.6
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 8.1
JAMES LEWIS ELEM. Blue Springs 2.1 mi 9.2
WILLIAM BRYANT ELEM. Blue Springs 1.9 mi 5.6
PAUL KINDER MIDDLE SCHOOL Blue Springs 2.1 mi 4.3
MORELAND RIDGE MIDDLE Blue Springs 2.5 mi 5.1
DANIEL YOUNG ELEM. Blue Springs 2.3 mi 4.4
SUNNY POINTE ELEM. Blue Springs 2.2 mi 7.8
LIGGETT TRAIL EDUCATION CENTER Blue Springs 2.5 mi 6.4
LUCY FRANKLIN ELEM. Blue Springs 2.3 mi 7.6
BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH HIGH Blue Springs 2.1 mi 7.0
JOHN NOWLIN ELEM. Blue Springs 2.1 mi 8.8
BRITTANY HILL MIDDLE Blue Springs 2.4 mi 7.9
CORDILL-MASON ELEM. Blue Springs 2.9 mi 6.7
TIMOTHY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Blue Springs 3.7 mi 6.6
PRAIRIE BRANCH ELEM. Grain Valley 4.0 mi 7.9

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BOSWELL ELEM. Lebanon, MO 4.8
CENTRAL ELEM. Dexter, MO 4.8
LITTLE BLUE ELEMENTARY Independence, MO 4.8
MOUNT VERNON INTERMEDIATE Mount Vernon, MO 4.8
S.M Rissler Elementary School Trenton, MO 4.8
ST PATRICK SCHOOL Wentzville, MO 4.8

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. ranks #1,775 of 2,221 schools in MO.

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

Thomas J. Ultican Elem. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Thomas J. Ultican Elem.?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas J. Ultican Elem. has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
51 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.7%

District

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

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