The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in Math. The lowest is 35% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Carthage 6th Grade Center
Carthage 6th Grade Center is a single-grade public school serving only sixth grade in the Carthage R-IX School District. Its enrollment of around that size for a standalone grade level means every student in the district’s sixth-grade cohort attends this one building. The school draws from the district’s five elementary schools and feeds into Carthage Junior High, so its purpose is to provide a focused transition year within a dedicated setting.
The student body is roughly evenly split between Hispanic and White students, with small shares identifying as two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school in a context of moderate economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available for this report, so a parent may want to ask the school about those populations directly.
State assessment results for the most recent school year show proficiency rates for sixth graders that fall below the midpoint among districts in Jasper County, where the school is positioned in the bottom quartile. In math, roughly two out of five tested students scored at the proficient or advanced level, while in English language arts the share was slightly lower, about one in three. These are the school’s tested grades only; there are no results for other grade levels because none are served. Trend data is limited to a single year and does not provide a multi-year trajectory, so it is not possible to assess whether performance is improving or declining.
The school itself is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and its Title I status was not reported. The building is located on South Main Street in Carthage, near the historic downtown. The district recently completed a renovation of Carthage High School that added a secure entrance and expanded commons space, funded without a tax increase, so families may see continued investment in facilities across the system.
Carthage is the county seat of Jasper County, with a traditional courthouse square, Victorian-era homes, and a mix of manufacturing, food processing, and agriculture. A notable share of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, reflecting the same demographic pattern seen in the school. Housing values in the area run modest relative to state and national benchmarks, with a typical home costing around that same ballpark and modest year-over-year appreciation. Major employers include Leggett & Platt and several food and lighting manufacturers, alongside the school district itself. The town sits along I-49 and Route 66, with Joplin about a short drive southwest.
For a family considering this school, the academic profile is one to look into further: proficiency rates are below the county median, though without trend data it is hard to know if that is a recent shift or a longer pattern. The single-grade structure could appeal to families who want a dedicated transition year with peers all the same age, and the district’s recent high school renovation suggests attention to facilities. The community offers a small-city feel with a visible manufacturing base, a historic downtown, and an affordable housing market. A parent may want to visit the school, ask about special education and English learner services, and review how the sixth-grade center prepares students for junior high.
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