The top reported proficiency rate is 18% in Math. The lowest is 5% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Warren E. Hearnes Elem.
Warren E. Hearnes Elementary is a regular public school in Charleston, Missouri, serving children from prekindergarten through third grade. This grade range means the school does not participate in high school accountability measures such as graduation rates, and state testing is limited to the subjects and grades the state assesses at this level. The school is part of the Charleston R-I district, which operates one elementary, one middle, and one high school in this small Mississippi County seat.
Charleston sits in Missouri’s Bootheel region, surrounded by rich alluvial farmland. It is an agricultural community with a traditional downtown, Victorian homes, and a small-town rural character. The population has declined over the long term, and the town’s economy draws on a mix of county government, the agricultural sector, the school district, and the Southeast Correctional Center, a maximum security state prison on the city’s southern edge. No major new housing developments or commercial construction were identified in publicly reported sources, and the housing market reflects modest values relative to state and national benchmarks.
Hearnes Elementary enrolls a student body that includes a substantial share of children from low-income households, as measured by free or reduced-price meal eligibility. Racially, the student population is majority Black, with a significant proportion of White students and a smaller share of students who identify as two or more races. The remaining groups, including Hispanic students, make up a very small portion. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available for this school.
State assessment results are reported for third graders in math and English language arts, and for a prior testing cycle in science. In both math and ELA, the share of students scoring proficient or above was low. The science results, which come from a test administered a few years ago and at a grade level the school no longer serves, also showed very low proficiency. When compared with other districts in Mississippi County, the school’s overall proficiency index falls into the lowest tier of the small two-district comparison set. These test outcomes are a soft spot in the school’s profile, and a parent may want to discuss with the school what academic supports are in place for early literacy and numeracy.
The school’s environment and access data, including information on discipline, course access, staffing, and attendance, are not available. Similarly, no civil rights or outcomes data were provided. The Charleston R-I district, according to publicly reported information, has no recent lasting changes that would stand out to parents, such as a major referendum, curriculum overhaul, or facility project.
For families considering Hearnes Elementary, the picture is one of a small, early-grades school in a community that is economically modest and geographically isolated in Missouri’s far southeastern corner. The academic performance data points to challenges in reaching grade-level benchmarks, while the school’s demographic profile reflects the broader community’s character. Parents looking for a school with a strong track record in early achievement may want to investigate the specific interventions and supports the school offers. Those who value a small-town setting, a familiar neighborhood school, and a pre-K start will find a straightforward public option here.
See more original research from School Decision →