The top reported proficiency rate is 50% in English language arts. The lowest is 44% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Ann Hawkins Gentry Mid. School
Ann Hawkins Gentry Middle School is a regular public middle school in Columbia, serving grades six through eight. It sits within the Columbia 93 school district, which is the fourth largest in Missouri and the fastest-growing municipality in the state. The school’s student body is predominantly White, with a significant share of students identifying as Black, a smaller share as Hispanic, and a modest share as Asian. A meaningful portion of the student population qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch.
The school’s performance on the Missouri Assessment Program presents a mixed picture that varies by both subject and grade level. In math, proficiency rates decline as students move through the middle grades, with about half of sixth graders scoring proficient or above, a smaller share of seventh graders reaching that bar, and a smaller share still of eighth graders doing so. In English language arts, proficiency rates are more consistent across the grades: around half of seventh and eighth graders score proficient or above, while a bit less than half of sixth graders do. Eighth grade science results show roughly half of students scoring proficient or above. Compared to other schools within the Boone County district set, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades lands in the top quartile. That is a notable strength, placing it among the stronger performers in the county, even as the marks themselves leave room for growth, particularly in eighth grade math.
The school operates under the Columbia 93 district, which has been an active one in recent years. Voters approved a bond issue in 2024 designated for facility improvements such as safety upgrades and classroom renovations, with projects running through 2028. The district has also adopted a new elementary literacy curriculum based on the science of reading, and while that shift targets the early grades, it signals a district-wide emphasis on structured literacy. Families should note that the district completed a 1:1 technology initiative in 2024, providing Chromebooks for students in grades six through twelve, which directly affects the daily experience at Gentry. Attendance boundary changes approved in 2023 took effect for the 2024-2025 school year, though those specifically affected elementary attendance zones; a parent moving into the area would want to verify the current middle school feeder pattern for their address.
Columbia itself is a college town anchored by the University of Missouri, Stephens College, and Columbia College, giving it a notable student presence and a downtown that is walkable and culturally active. The economy is driven by education and healthcare, with major employers including the university, two hospital systems, and large insurance and financial services firms. Housing in the area commands a price above the state average, and rents have been rising. The city is the fastest-growing in Missouri, and Boone County generally sees low unemployment. That growth context means the district, including Gentry, is operating in a community that is expanding physically and economically, which can mean more resources but also more pressure on school capacity.
What the data does not cover includes information on special education identification rates, English learner populations, discipline data, or chronic absenteeism. A parent with a child who needs specific support or who wants to understand the school climate around behavior or attendance would need to follow up directly with the school or district for those details. Course access data, such as whether the school offers advanced or accelerated coursework for middle schoolers, was also not available.
This is a school that sits at a solid position within its county academically, with particular consistency in English language arts, but with a math performance that tails off notably by the end of middle school. It serves a diverse student body in a district that is investing in facilities and technology, within a growing and economically healthy college town. For a family looking at Columbia, this school offers a middle-of-the-road academic profile that is strong relative to its immediate neighbors but shows clear soft spots. The absence of data on student supports and school environment means those are open questions a parent should ask.
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