Needs Improvement
#2173 of 2,216 schools in MO
University Academy-lower
Elementary School · UNIVERSITY ACADEMY
6801 HOLMES RD, Kansas City, MO 64131
Enrollment
605
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
605
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
3.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kansas City
#135 of 137
public schools
Missouri elementary schools
#1,170 of 1,202
In district
#3 of 3
UNIVERSITY ACADEMY
About University Academy-lower
University Academy-Lower is a charter elementary school located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, it boasts an enrollment of 605 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 with 40 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting within a large city offers a diverse range of cultural and educational opportunities.
Academically, University Academy-Lower focuses on providing a supportive environment for its young learners, though the current performance metrics indicate there is room for improvement. According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school ranks at 2.3 out of 10 overall, placing it in the 2nd percentile among Missouri schools. In reading and math proficiency tests, around 28% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while about 26% meet or exceed standards in mathematics.
While the academic scores suggest areas for growth, the school's commitment to its community is evident through its dedicated staff and comprehensive approach to education. University Academy-Lower is situated in a bustling urban area that offers students access to a variety of resources and experiences beyond the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
University Academy-lower is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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University Academy-lower — Students at University Academy-lower score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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: 1.7/10.
How University Academy-lower Compares
See how University Academy-lower performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 19% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 23% (2022).
Location
6801 HOLMES RD, Kansas City, MO 64131
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering University Academy-lower may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HALE COOK ELEMENTARY (rated 9.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST ELIZABETH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PROVIDENCE SCHOOL OF ARTS (rated 6.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kansas City, see our Kansas City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY ACADEMY-UPPER Kansas City | 0.0 mi | 5.7 |
| UNIVERSITY ACADEMY-MIDDLE Kansas City | 0.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Academie Lafayette Oak Elem Kansas City | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| ST PETER'S SCHOOL Kansas City | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| HOGAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY Kansas City | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Ewing Marion Kauffman Middle Kansas City | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| EWING MARION KAUFFMAN HIGH Kansas City | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| ST ELIZABETH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kansas City | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| BORDER STAR MONTESSORI Kansas City | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| BROOKSIDE CHARTER ELEMENTARY Kansas City | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| BROOKSIDE CHARTER MIDDLE SCHL Kansas City | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| ACADEMY FOR INTEGRATED ARTS Kansas City | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| HALE COOK ELEMENTARY Kansas City | 1.1 mi | 9.3 |
| FRONTIER SCHL OF EXCELLENCE-M Kansas City | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| FRONTIER SCHL OF EXCELLENCE-U Kansas City | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| 7933 MAIN ST. Kansas City | 1.5 mi | 7.4 |
| PROVIDENCE SCHOOL OF ARTS Kansas City | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| JOHN T. HARTMAN ELEMENTARY Kansas City | 1.6 mi | 4.5 |
| ST TERESA'S ACADEMY Kansas City | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| HOGAN PREPARATORY ACAD MIDDLE Kansas City | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 64131 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,374
Median Home Value
$217,700
Median Rent
$1,139/mo
Population
21,972
College Educated
39.1%
Homeownership
48.6%
Avg Commute
22.8 min
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Median Age
35.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding University Academy-lower has a median household income of $63,374. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $217,700, with a median rent of $1,139/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| COLUMBIAN ELEM. Carthage, MO | 3.4 |
| GLADDEN ELEM. Belton, MO | 3.4 |
| ACADEMIE LAFAYETTE CHERRY ELEM Kansas City, MO | 3.3 |
| HALLS FERRY ELEMENTARY Florissant, MO | 3.5 |
| MARION ELEM. St. Louis, MO | 3.5 |
| MCCURDY ELEM. Florissant, MO | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about University Academy-lower
What grades does University Academy-lower serve?
University Academy-lower serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend University Academy-lower?
University Academy-lower has an enrollment of approximately 605 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at University Academy-lower?
The student-teacher ratio at University Academy-lower is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does University Academy-lower rank in MO?
University Academy-lower is ranked #2173 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is University Academy-lower's MySchoolScout rating?
University Academy-lower has a composite rating of 3.4 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 University Academy-lower?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, University Academy-lower has 26.0% math proficiency and 28.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is University Academy-lower a charter school?
Yes, University Academy-lower is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is University Academy-lower a Title I school?
No, University Academy-lower is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for University Academy-lower?
100.0% of students at University Academy-lower 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 (6,241/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kansas City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 605
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Jackson County
- Phone
- (816) 412-5973
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
UNIVERSITY ACADEMY- District Enrollment
- 1,091
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,199
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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