Marjorie French Middle School, Topeka KS

Original Research by School Decision on Marjorie French Middle School

Marjorie French Middle School, part of the Topeka Public Schools system, serves grades six through eight in Topeka, Kansas. The school is a regular public school with a middle-sized enrollment for its grade span. No charter or magnet designation is listed, and Title I status was not reported. The available data gives a clear picture of academic performance and student composition, though several dimensions such as program offerings, chronic absenteeism, and discipline patterns are absent.

State assessment results from the Kansas Assessment Program show that proficiency rates across math, English language arts, and science fall below what most families would consider strong. In math, roughly a third of students met proficiency in sixth grade, with seventh and eighth grade showing a slightly smaller share. English language arts results follow a similar pattern: sixth grade had the highest rate, seventh grade a step lower, and eighth grade a notably lower portion of students reaching the proficient threshold. Science is assessed only in eighth grade, where about a quarter of students scored proficient. Taken together, the school’s overall performance ranks in the bottom quarter among Shawnee County districts. This softness in attainment means a parent should look closely at how the school supports students who are not yet at grade level, especially in reading and writing as students approach high school.

The student body is diverse by race and ethnicity. White students make up the largest group, followed by a substantial Hispanic population and a smaller but still sizable share of Black students. Students who identify as two or more races also form a meaningful part of the enrollment, while Asian students are a very small presence. A clear majority of students come from low-income households, as measured by free or reduced-price lunch eligibility. This economic context often correlates with additional needs, and the district’s ability to marshal resources for these students is worth understanding from school leadership.

Topeka itself is the state capital, with an economy anchored in government, manufacturing, and agriculture. The city has experienced a modest population decline in recent years, which can affect school enrollment trends and property values. Housing in the school’s zip code is moderately priced relative to Kansas as a whole, with rents climbing notably over the past year. For a family considering moving into the attendance area, the trade-off between more affordable home prices and the school’s academic profile is a practical consideration.

At the district level, Topeka Public Schools has reported a multi-year improvement in its high school graduation rate, a positive sign for families who will eventually send their children through the system. The district also offers magnet and signature campuses focused on dual language, science and fine arts, leadership, and performing arts, among others. Whether Marjorie French Middle School itself has specialized programs or pathways was not reported in the data. A parent interested in those options may want to ask directly about course access and elective offerings.

Because this is a middle school, there is no graduation rate to evaluate. Data on chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, and discipline were also not available, leaving gaps in understanding the school environment. A family looking for a complete picture would benefit from visiting the school and talking to current parents about student engagement and support services. The school sits within a larger district that offers some structured choices, but the core academic performance here is a soft spot that prospective families should weigh against their own priorities and their child’s needs.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 637%

School 37% · District 20% · ▲ 17 pts above district

▼ 4 pts below state median · ▼ 8 pts below county median

Grade 730%

School 30% · District 20% · ▲ 10 pts above district

▼ 4 pts below state median · even with county median

Grade 834%

School 34% · District 23% · ▲ 11 pts above district

even with state median · ▲ 6 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 639%

School 39% · District 25% · ▲ 14 pts above district

▼ 2 pts below state median · ▲ 1 pts above county median

Grade 732%

School 32% · District 25% · ▲ 7 pts above district

▼ 9 pts below state median · ▲ 2 pts above county median

Grade 823%

School 23% · District 25% · ▼ 2 pts below district

▼ 14 pts below state median · ▼ 7 pts below county median

Science

Grade 824%

School 24% · District 21% · ▲ 3 pts above district

▼ 12 pts below state median · ▼ 6 pts below county median

This schoolTopeka Public Schools, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 6Lower-income34%Higher-income49%15 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income19%Higher-income52%33 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income23%Higher-income23%0 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income30%Higher-income51%21 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income21%Higher-income44%23 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income30%Higher-income41%11 pp gap