The top reported proficiency rate is 31% in English language arts. The lowest is 10% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on John Glenn Middle
John Glenn Middle sits in Maplewood, a mature inner-ring suburb of Saint Paul that grew fast after World War II and is now a built-out community of residential neighborhoods, corporate campuses like 3M’s headquarters, and commercial strips anchored by Maplewood Mall. The school serves grades six through eight and belongs to the North St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale district. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. State testing data from a recent year shows that across all three grade levels and subjects, proficiency rates fall well below state averages. In math, roughly one in five sixth-graders and seventh-graders scored proficient, while about three in ten eighth-graders did. In reading, around one in three sixth- and eighth-graders met the bar, while just over one in four seventh-graders did. Science testing, which Minnesota administers only in eighth grade, showed that about one in ten students scored proficient. A parent should note that Minnesota changed both the name of the science assessment and its cut scores in the same year, making direct comparisons to prior years unreliable. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages results across all tested subjects and grades, sits slightly above the middle of districts in Ramsey County, a comparison set that includes fifty-one districts. That position is less a mark of strength than a reflection of the broad range of performance across the county; the index far exceeds only the very lowest in the cohort while remaining well below the top end.
The student body is economically diverse. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which places John Glenn among schools serving many families navigating financial strain. The racial and ethnic makeup is predominantly Asian, with a substantial white population, a notable Black and Hispanic presence, and a smaller share of students who identify as two or more races. American Indian and Native Hawaiian students each make up a very small fraction. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available records, so a parent who wants to understand special education support or language services should ask the school directly. Enrollment across the three grades is fairly evenly distributed, with a slight tapering from sixth to eighth grade, which is common.
The school sits in Maplewood, a car-oriented suburb without a traditional downtown or walkable main street. Major highways crisscross the city, and most commercial life is concentrated at Maplewood Mall and along highway corridors. The Bruce Vento Regional Trail provides a recreational path through the area, but daily errands and commutes largely require a vehicle. Housing values in the area are close to the statewide benchmark, and rents are somewhat lower than mortgage costs for a median-priced home, reflecting the area's mix of post-war single-family homes and rental stock. The city’s population has been roughly stable in recent years, with a slight recent dip. The district itself shows no major recent changes in publicly available records that would affect a family’s decision.
For a family evaluating John Glenn Middle, the central fact is that state test scores are quite low. The school’s proficiency rates, particularly in science, are a genuine concern. A parent should look into what academic supports the school offers, how it addresses gaps in reading and math, and what resources are available for students who are behind grade level. The school’s economic profile suggests that many students face challenges outside the classroom, and a parent may want to understand how the school connects families with community services. Maplewood’s suburban layout and employment base mean that many parents likely work nearby, but the lack of a walkable center and heavy reliance on highways make car access essential. For a family that values test scores as a primary indicator, John Glenn will not read as a strong choice. For a family committed to the school’s community and willing to supplement academics at home or seek tutoring, the school’s position near the middle of a large county offers no particular distinction either way. The data does not speak to programs, extracurriculars, or school culture because those were not available; a visit and conversations with current families would be the next step.
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