The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in English language arts. The lowest is 37% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Ida Cannon Middle
Ida Cannon Middle is a regular public school in the Elsberry R-II School District, serving grades five through eight in the small rural town of Elsberry, Missouri. Because it covers only middle grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and state testing data from the Missouri Assessment Program provides the main window into academic performance.
On the MAP assessments, proficiency rates vary noticeably across subjects and grade levels. In mathematics, results range from roughly one in six students reaching the proficient-or-above threshold in grade five to well over half in grade seven. English language arts proficiency runs from about three in ten in grade five to just under half in grade seven. Science results go from a similar starting point to a stronger showing in grade eight. Eighth grade ELA proficiency was suppressed from public reporting. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages across tested subjects and grades, places it in the top quarter among the four districts in Lincoln County, a positive position relative to its immediate neighbors. Still, the lower figures in early middle school, particularly fifth grade math, are soft spots a parent may want to discuss with the school to understand how the school supports students who enter below grade level.
The student body is predominantly white, with small shares of Black, Hispanic, and multiracial students. Just over three in ten students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that signals a moderate level of economic need. Enrollment counts for students with disabilities and English learners were not available in the data provided. The school’s structure as a regular public school means it follows the standard district curriculum and calendar.
Elsberry itself is a compact town roughly an hour north of St. Louis. It was founded as a railroad depot and remains a small agricultural community with a main street along Broadway where city hall and the library sit. The town motto is “The Little Town With A Big Heart.” Housing values in the area fall below both the state and national medians, making homeownership more attainable here than in many parts of Missouri. The town has seen modest population growth in recent years, but no large-scale development projects were identified. The district search found no evidence of recent referendums, tax shifts, or curriculum overhauls that would change a family’s experience in the near term.
For a parent considering Ida Cannon Middle, the picture is one of a small-town rural school with a mix of academic results. The top-quartile position within the county offers some reassurance, but the spread from strong seventh-grade math to weak fifth-grade math means outcomes depend heavily on which grade and subject a child is in. Families who value a small, community-oriented setting in an affordable town may find it a natural fit. Those concerned about early middle school achievement will want to ask about differentiated support, intervention programs, and how the school addresses gaps before students move into high school.
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