The top reported proficiency rate is 16% in English language arts. The lowest is 9% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Caruthersville Middle
Caruthersville Middle serves grades six through eight in the Caruthersville 18 School District, located in a small Mississippi River town that is the county seat of Pemiscot County. The town sits in Missouri’s Bootheel region, and its economy is built around agriculture, river transport, and a riverboat casino. Caruthersville has been losing population for years, a trend that continued through the last census and into recent estimates. Housing is inexpensive relative to the state and national markets. Many families have lived in the area for generations, and the schools serve a community that has experienced economic strain.
The school itself enrolls a small student body across three grades. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The student population is diverse, with a slight majority of students who are Black, a large white plurality, and smaller shares of Hispanic students and students of two or more races. Asian students make up a very small portion of the enrollment. The school is a regular public school and not a charter or magnet.
State testing results from the Missouri Assessment Program are available for all three grades in math and English language arts, and for eighth grade science. Across the board, the share of students scoring proficient or above is low. In math, the proficiency rate declines from sixth to eighth grade. In English language arts, rates are somewhat higher but still well below what is typical statewide. Eighth grade science results show a similar pattern. A parent looking at these numbers alongside state averages will see that the school faces steep academic challenges.
The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages results across tested subjects and grades, places it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Pemiscot County. That county-level comparison includes a range of outcomes, and Caruthersville Middle is at the lower end of it. Because this is a middle school that does not serve grades where a graduation rate is reported, no such rate is available. Chronic absenteeism data was also missing from the available records.
No information on program offerings, such as extracurriculars, elective pathways, or advanced coursework, was provided. The data given does not include details on staffing ratios, discipline rates, or class sizes. A parent may want to ask the school directly about what enrichment or support options exist for middle school students, especially given the academic performance picture.
The Caruthersville 18 district operates one elementary school, this middle school, and the high school. No recent district-level changes, such as boundary adjustments, curriculum shifts, or facility investments, were found in public records. The district brief searched for these and came up empty, so a parent should not assume any major initiatives are underway unless the district communicates them directly.
Caruthersville itself has a traditional downtown along Ward Avenue and civic anchors that include a historic water tower, a riverfront park, and the Pemiscot County courthouse. The Mississippi River bridge nearby is the only crossing for a long stretch, which shapes regional travel. The town’s population decline and modest housing market suggest that the school is operating in a community that is not growing, and the economic base shows signs of long-term contraction.
This school fits a family that wants a small, familiar setting in a close-knit river town and is prepared to engage directly with the school on academic support. The test scores indicate that many students are not meeting grade-level expectations, and a parent whose child needs a strong academic trajectory should look carefully at what interventions and enrichment are available. The town’s affordability is a practical draw, but the broader economic and demographic context means that resources and opportunities may be different from what families in growing suburbs or larger cities would find.
See more original research from School Decision →