The top reported proficiency rate is 35% in Science. The lowest is 30% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Belton Middle School
Belton Middle School is a regular public school serving seventh and eighth graders in Belton, Missouri, part of the Belton 124 district in Cass County. The school sits on the western side of the Kansas City metropolitan area, in a suburban city that combines residential neighborhoods with commercial and industrial activity along its highway corridor. The city itself has seen steady growth, and the school district recently approved a no-tax-rate-increase bond issue to fund facility improvements, safety upgrades, HVAC replacements, and classroom additions throughout the district, a development that directly affects the learning environment for middle school students.
The student body is diverse but predominantly white, with a sizable Hispanic population and smaller shares of Black students and students of two or more races. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that many families face economic challenges. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not available in the source materials, so a parent may want to ask the school about special education and language support services directly.
Academically, state assessment results place Belton Middle School below the midpoint among districts in Cass County for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. In math, the share of students scoring at proficient or advanced levels was modest for seventh grade and lower for eighth grade. In English language arts, the pattern reversed: eighth graders outperformed seventh graders, though both were still below the average for the county. Eighth-grade science proficiency was similar to the school’s math and English figures, with about a third of students meeting the state standard. These are not strong results compared to the countywide field, and a family focused on high academic benchmarks would want to understand what supports are in place.
The school environment reflects its suburban locale. Belton is a car-dependent community, and the school is on Pirate Parkway, a campus separate from the downtown core where city hall and the public library are located. The city operates a range of recreational facilities parks, a pool, a wellness center, a community center, and a golf course that are available to middle school students outside school hours. Housing in the area is moderately priced relative to core Kansas City suburbs, and the city has been growing steadily, pointing to a district that is stable but not experiencing rapid upheaval.
For a parent considering Belton Middle School, the picture is mixed. The school serves a community with economic needs and delivers proficiency rates that are lower than many nearby districts. The recent bond passage signals investment in facilities, which may improve the physical learning environment. But the academic data suggests that families who want strong test scores or a competitive peer academic environment should investigate what interventions, enrichment, or acceleration programs exist. The absence of information on special populations and chronic absenteeism means a thorough conversation with the school itself is warranted before forming a full judgment.
See more original research from School Decision →