The top reported proficiency rate is 21% in English language arts. The lowest is 2% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Deerfield Middle School
Deerfield Middle School serves sixth through eighth grade in a small, rural community in Kearny County, Kansas. The town itself is a compact residential settlement along Highway 50, with a population that has been declining over recent decades. It is majority Hispanic or Latino, and the cost of living is low. The school shares an address with the elementary and high school, all on the same street, so there is no separated campus; civic life is tightly integrated, with the high school locker rooms serving as the community storm shelter. The local economy offers limited private-sector employment, and the school district itself is the largest identifiable employer.
The middle school’s enrollment is very small for its grade band. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a sizable White minority and a very small number of Black students. Information on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the data provided.
On the Kansas state assessments, proficiency rates across tested subjects and grades are low. In math, the proportion of students scoring at proficient or above was extremely low in every grade; in English language arts, rates were low as well, though seventh grade showed a somewhat higher share than the other two grades. Science results for eighth graders were also low. The data did not include participation rates, so it is not clear how many students were tested in each grade. A parent may want to ask the school about the factors behind these numbers and about what academic supports are available.
Compared with other districts in Kearny County, Deerfield Middle School’s overall proficiency index placed it in the bottom quartile. That comparison set is small—only two districts in the county—so the position is a relative one within a limited local context.
No data was reported on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing ratios, or course access, so it is not possible to speak to those dimensions of school climate and opportunity from the available information. Because the school serves only middle grades, there is no graduation rate to consider.
This is a small, rural school in a town with a declining population and a tight-knit feel. Students live in a community where the schools are at the center of civic life. The academic results are a concern, and families considering this school would benefit from learning directly from the school about the interventions and programs in place to support student learning, particularly in math and reading. The school’s small size may allow for individualized attention, but the data does not confirm what that looks like in practice. For a family that values a close community and is comfortable with a low-key, rural setting, Deerfield Middle School is the only middle school in town; for those focused on high measured academic performance, the test results merit a closer conversation with the district.
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