The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in English language arts. The lowest is 13% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Richard Warren Middle School
Richard Warren Middle School serves seventh and eighth graders in Leavenworth, Kansas, as part of the Leavenworth public school district. The school enrolls a student body that is predominantly white, with a substantial Black and multiracial population and a smaller Hispanic contingent. A significant majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic realities of a community where government and military institutions anchor the local economy.
Leavenworth itself is a city shaped by its institutional presence. Fort Leavenworth, a major Army installation, occupies much of the city’s area, and federal and state prisons, the VA medical center, and the county government are among the largest employers. The city has a walkable 28-block historic downtown with locally-owned shops and restaurants, but the broader residential and commercial area is car-dependent. Recent development has brought new downtown lofts, hotels, and a winery, alongside the construction of a business and technology park for future growth. The district itself did not appear to have any major recent changes, such as a funding referendum or curriculum overhaul, that would be immediately relevant to a parent.
State testing results from the most recent school year show that student performance falls in the bottom quartile when compared to other districts in Leavenworth County. Proficiency rates in math were low for both seventh and eighth graders, and the same was true for seventh-grade English language arts. Eighth-grade English language arts results were stronger but still below the county median. Science proficiency for eighth graders was also below where a parent might hope. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency measure places it among the lower-performing schools in the county. The data used for this assessment came from the Kansas Assessment Program, and the state recently changed its cut scores for math and English language arts, so the school’s current results may not be directly comparable to results from prior years. A parent looking at year-over-year trends should keep this shift in mind.
Because the school serves only seventh and eighth grades, there is no graduation rate to evaluate. Chronic absenteeism and discipline data were also not available in the provided records.
The school’s enrollment is moderate for a middle school of this grade span. Class sizes are not reported here, but the total student body is large enough to offer a full middle school experience while still being a single building. The district operates one middle school, which means all public middle school students in the city attend Richard Warren unless they enroll in the separate Fort Leavenworth school district on the military post or choose a private option.
Housing in the area around the school is moderately priced relative to the national market. Home values are slightly above the Kansas state average, and rents are a bit below the national level for a rental. For a family moving into the district, the cost of housing is not out of line with what many Midwestern communities of this size offer.
For a parent trying to understand what this school offers, the picture is clear but mixed. The school serves a economically diverse student body in a city with a strong government and military employment base. The academic results, however, are a clear challenge. Proficiency rates are low across most subjects and grades, and the school’s performance trails most other districts in the county. This is not a school that can point to strong state test scores as a draw. A parent considering this school will want to look carefully at how the school supports students who are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks and what academic interventions or enrichment are available. The school’s website and direct conversations with administrators would be the next logical step for any family trying to determine whether the school’s specific programs and teaching approach match their child’s needs.
See more original research from School Decision →