Average
#966 of 2,216 schools in MO
Top 44% in state
West Plains Middle
Middle School · WEST PLAINS R-VII
730 E OLDEN, West Plains, MO 65775
Enrollment
564
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.6
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
564
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.6
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Plains
#3 of 9
public schools
Missouri middle schools
#172 of 390
In district
#2 of 4
WEST PLAINS R-VII
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About West Plains Middle
West Plains Middle School is a regular public school located in the remote town of West Plains, Missouri. Serving students from fifth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 564 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.8:1 with 41 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. West Plains Middle School focuses on providing a supportive educational environment for its students.
According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school scores a 4.9 out of 10 overall, placing it in the 39th percentile among Missouri schools. Academically, West Plains Middle has an average score of 5.0 out of 10, with 40% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 37% proficiency or above in Math across all grades. While there is room for academic growth, the school community works hard to foster a nurturing environment that supports students' overall development.
West Plains Middle School is situated in a small town setting, offering its students close-knit connections within the local community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
West Plains Middle — Students at West Plains Middle score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How West Plains Middle Compares
See how West Plains Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 38% (2019) to 39% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 38% (2022).
Location
730 E OLDEN, West Plains, MO 65775
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Plains Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. WILLOW SPRINGS MIDDLE (rated 7.5/10, 19.4 miles away, in nearby Willow Springs), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, LIBERTY MIDDLE (rated 5.8/10, 20.9 miles away, in nearby Mountain View), with a comparable rating. For more schools in West Plains, see our West Plains schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WEST PLAINS SR. HIGH West Plains | 0.2 mi | 5.5 |
| WEST PLAINS ELEM. West Plains | 0.4 mi | 5.2 |
| HOWELL VALLEY ELEM. West Plains | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| OZARK HORIZON SCHOOL West Plains | 2.7 mi | — |
| JUNCTION HILL ELEM. West Plains | 3.4 mi | 6.4 |
| GLENWOOD ELEM. West Plains | 4.2 mi | 5.5 |
| RICHARDS ELEM. West Plains | 4.7 mi | 5.3 |
| FAIRVIEW ELEM. West Plains | 5.2 mi | 6.3 |
| SOUTH FORK ELEM. West Plains | 10.1 mi | 8.6 |
| KOSHKONONG ELEM. Koshkonong | 14.2 mi | 8.5 |
| KOSHKONONG HIGH Koshkonong | 14.2 mi | 6.7 |
| WILLOW SPRINGS HIGH Willow Springs | 19.4 mi | 5.3 |
| WILLOW SPRINGS MIDDLE Willow Springs | 19.4 mi | 7.5 |
| WILLOW SPRINGS ELEM. Willow Springs | 19.4 mi | 8.1 |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEM. Mountain View | 19.8 mi | 8.8 |
| LIBERTY MIDDLE Mountain View | 20.9 mi | 5.8 |
| LIBERTY SR. HIGH Mountain View | 21.0 mi | 6.5 |
| VIOLA HIGH SCHOOL Viola | 24.7 mi | 4.8 |
| VIOLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Viola | 24.8 mi | 7.7 |
| THAYER ELEM. Thayer | 22.5 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 65775 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,854
Median Home Value
$177,700
Median Rent
$776/mo
Population
24,950
College Educated
18.7%
Homeownership
66.3%
Avg Commute
20.1 min
Poverty Rate
21.3%
Median Age
39.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Plains Middle has a median household income of $48,854. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,700, with a median rent of $776/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| FARMINGTON MIDDLE Farmington, MO | 6.6 |
| LINCOLN INTERMEDIATE Farmington, MO | 6.6 |
| POPLAR BLUFF JR. HIGH Poplar Bluff, MO | 6.6 |
| SIKESTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Sikeston, MO | 6.6 |
| SOUTHWEST MIDDLE Ballwin, MO | 6.6 |
| T. S. HILL MIDDLE Dexter, MO | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Plains Middle
What grades does West Plains Middle serve?
West Plains Middle serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend West Plains Middle?
West Plains Middle has an enrollment of approximately 564 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Plains Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at West Plains Middle is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Plains Middle rank in MO?
West Plains Middle is ranked #966 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is West Plains Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
West Plains Middle has a composite rating of 6.6 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 West Plains Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Plains Middle has 36.7% math proficiency and 39.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Plains Middle a charter school?
No, West Plains Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Plains Middle a Title I school?
No, West Plains Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Plains Middle?
66.3% of students at West Plains 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 (2,183/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Plains). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 564
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Howell County
- Phone
- (417) 256-6150
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WEST PLAINS R-VII- District Enrollment
- 2,668
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,913
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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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