The top reported proficiency rate is 42% in English language arts. The lowest is 34% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Perry-lecompton Middle
Perry-Lecompton Middle serves fifth through eighth graders and is part of Perry Public Schools, the district formed by consolidating the old Perry and Lecompton schools. The school sits within the town of Perry, a small rural community in Jefferson County midway between Topeka and Lawrence. The town is compact and residential, with its civic life centered on a short downtown stretch along Bridge Street. Perry Lake and Perry State Park, a few miles north, provide the area’s main recreational draw, and many residents commute to the nearby cities for work. The district brief turned up no recent major bond, curriculum, or boundary changes, so families considering the school can expect a steady operating environment without recent upheaval.
Enrollment is small for a middle school serving four grade levels. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of students who identify as Hispanic, two or more races, or Black. More than two in five students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a substantial share that indicates a significant low-income population. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported, so parents who need information on those supports should ask the school directly.
State testing results from the Kansas Assessment Program show a mixed picture that varies by subject and grade. In English language arts, sixth and seventh graders posted rates where roughly two in five or more students scored proficient, while fifth graders were in a similar range and eighth graders landed at a lower level. In math, sixth and seventh graders again performed closer to the middle of the range, but fifth and eighth graders posted notably lower results, with about a quarter of students reaching proficiency. Science results were reported for fifth and eighth grades, with both showing a share of students scoring proficient that was below half. Across tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint among the seven districts in Jefferson County, meaning it performs somewhat stronger than several of its immediate neighbors but not at the top of the county. Parents may want to discuss with the school how the dip in eighth-grade scores fits into the transition to high school and what academic supports are available for students who are not yet meeting benchmarks.
The school environment data, including discipline rates, course access, and staffing ratios, was not provided in the available records. A family considering Perry-Lecompton Middle should visit the school and ask the principal about class sizes, elective offerings for middle schoolers, and the range of extracurricular activities. The District Comparison chart places the school’s housing market at a level of home values that are above the state benchmark but still well below national figures, consistent with a rural Kansas community where housing is more affordable than in many parts of the country. Rental costs, based on the context data, represent a moderate share of typical household income. This is not a place with fast-rising prices or a tight housing squeeze; it is a stable, relatively affordable rural market.
Perry’s growth appears modest. The community is small, with limited commercial development, and the school system has not undergone recent structural changes. For a family looking for a quiet, middle-of-the-road academic setting where the student body is small and the surrounding town is low-key, Perry-Lecompton Middle fits that description. For families who want to see robust testing outcomes or a wide menu of specialized middle school programs, the limited data available suggests a more measured experience. The best next step is a direct conversation with the school about the specific supports and opportunities it offers.
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