The top reported proficiency rate is 34% in Science. The lowest is 23% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Mark Twain Elem
Mark Twain Elementary is a neighborhood school in Kansas City, Kansas, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Kansas City public school district and is located on Minnesota Avenue. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with White, Black, and Asian students making up the next largest groups. The school draws from a community that is historically tied to railroad and stockyard industries, and it sits within the larger Kansas City metropolitan area. Families considering this school should know that a substantial share of the student population qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting the economic context of the surrounding neighborhood.
On state assessments, the school’s results show a pattern where proficiency rates rise across elementary grades, though from a low starting point. In third grade, the share of students meeting state standards in math is under ten percent. That figure climbs by fifth grade, where roughly a third of students reach proficiency. In English language arts, the trend is steeper. Third-grade proficiency is under thirty percent, fourth grade drops below twenty percent, and fifth grade jumps to over forty percent. Science, tested only in fifth grade, shows about a third of students proficient. When compared to other schools across Wyandotte County, the school’s overall proficiency index sits below the midpoint. A parent should note that Kansas adjusted its cut scores for math and English language arts assessments in recent years, which makes it difficult to compare these results directly to prior years.
Enrollment is moderate for an elementary school, with grade sizes that are fairly even from kindergarten through fifth grade. The school does not report class sizes or staffing ratios, nor does it provide information on the share of students with disabilities or those learning English. A parent may want to ask the school directly about class sizes, special education supports, and English learner services to get a fuller picture of daily classroom life. No data is available on chronic absenteeism, suspensions, or other discipline measures.
The district, Kansas City USD, passed a major bond referendum in 2022 to fund facility improvements, safety upgrades, and technology across its schools. This is a large financial commitment that will shape the physical and technological environment at Mark Twain Elementary in coming years. Housing in the area is relatively affordable compared to state and national benchmarks. Home values are well below the Kansas median, and rents have risen recently but remain lower than what many families would face in pricier parts of the metro. The estimated monthly mortgage payment and rent both fall within a moderate range for a household earning the national median income.
Mark Twain Elementary offers a standard elementary curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade, but the school does not publicly list any specialized programs, magnet themes, or extended learning offerings. There is no information about whether it operates as a Title I school, though the high share of low-income students would typically qualify it for federal Title I funding. A parent interested in arts, language immersion, or STEM-focused tracks may find limited information and should verify directly with the school or district what enrichment opportunities exist. The school is not a charter and there is no indication of a magnet status.
For a family weighing this school, the core considerations center on the academic results, which are modest relative to county peers, and the economic profile of the student body. The upward trend in fifth-grade reading proficiency is a positive data point, but the lower scores in earlier grades and in math merit a conversation with school staff about instructional supports and intervention strategies. The housing market is accessible, the bond-funded improvements are underway, and the school serves a community with deep local roots. A parent would benefit from visiting, asking about the school improvement plan, and understanding how the district’s facility investments will directly affect this building.
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