The top reported proficiency rate is 76% in English language arts. The lowest is 66% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Mcgrath Elem.
McGrath Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Brentwood, an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis that the city describes as a mix of residential neighborhoods and one of the most thriving business districts in the metro area. The school is part of the Brentwood School District, which operates two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school within the small city. The school building sits on St. Clair Avenue, integrated into the community rather than on a separated campus, and a short drive from the Brentwood I-64 MetroLink station.
The student body is small relative to many elementary schools, and its composition is predominantly white. Roughly a tenth of students are Asian, a tenth are two or more races, and smaller shares are Black or Hispanic. About a share of students in the mid-teens qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a lower rate than many schools in the county. The share of students receiving special education services or identified as English learners was not reported in the available data, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the support it offers for those populations.
On the Missouri Assessment Program, the school’s results paint a picture of steady academic strength with some variation by grade and subject. In third grade English language arts, the large majority of students scored proficient or advanced, a strong showing. Fourth grade ELA was also above the midpoint, with roughly two-thirds of students reaching that level. Fifth grade ELA results were suppressed in the available data, so no public figure is available there. In math, fourth graders posted a strong proficiency rate, and fifth graders were close behind with about three-fifths scoring proficient or above. Third grade math results were suppressed. Fifth grade science came in with roughly two-thirds of students proficient. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among districts in St. Louis County, a strong position relative to its peers. No chronic absenteeism data or graduation rate is available because the school does not serve high school grades.
Brentwood itself is densely populated for a suburb, with commercial activity concentrated along major roads like Brentwood Boulevard and Hanley Road rather than a traditional downtown. The city has parks, walking trails, an indoor ice rink, and a community center. The housing market in the broader St. Louis County area has seen a modest softening in listing prices recently, but the area served by the school remains an established inner-ring suburb with a mix of single-family homes, condominium developments, and apartments. The school district’s website and public materials did not turn up recent major changes such as a bond referendum or curriculum overhaul, so the district appears to have been operating on a stable footing without recent disruptions that would be relevant to a parent.
For a family considering this school, the academic profile is the standout feature: consistently strong test results for a school of its size, set in a community that combines suburban calm with commercial activity and transit access. The main open questions a parent would want to explore are the support structures for students who need extra help, since special education and English learner data were not available, and the fifth grade ELA result, which was not reported publicly. The school’s small size means a parent may want to ask about the range of enrichment programs, electives, or course offerings available at each grade level, since the data provided did not include a program listing. Overall, this is an elementary school whose academic performance places it among the stronger options in the county, located in a community that has invested in its civic infrastructure and transit connections while retaining a residential feel.
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