The top reported proficiency rate is 34% in Science. The lowest is 23% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hancock Place Middle
Hancock Place Middle serves grades six through eight in the unincorporated community of Lemay, a working-class part of south St. Louis County. The school is a regular public school and is part of the Hancock Place School District.
The student body numbers in the low hundreds, which for a middle school is on the smaller side. In terms of racial and ethnic composition, it is a majority white school, with a substantial Black student population, a smaller but present group of Hispanic students, Asian students making up a small share, and a meaningful multiracial group. Every enrolled student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, meaning the school serves a community with very high economic need.
On the state's MAP assessments, math proficiency is low across all three grade levels. The share of students scoring at or above the proficient benchmark trails well behind the midpoint among districts in St. Louis County, and reading scores tell a similar story. On the English language arts tests, proficiency rates are also low, though there is a notable upward climb from sixth grade to eighth grade: the rate in sixth grade is quite low, seventh grade is somewhat higher, and eighth grade reaches a level that, while still modest, is the strongest result in any subject at the school. Science results for eighth graders fall in a similar range, with about a third of students meeting the proficient mark.
The school's overall proficiency index, which averages scores across all tested subjects and grades, places Hancock Place Middle below the midpoint when compared with the other districts in St. Louis County. That is a broad picture that a parent will want to consider carefully.
The comparison data covers only proficiency results. Graduation rate and chronic absenteeism are not available for this school, which is a typical gap for a middle school that does not graduate students or report absenteeism in a comparable format.
Lemay itself has a suburban feel with a mix of older homes and newer construction, and South Broadway is the main commercial road. The area has some industrial history and remains a place where housing is more affordable than many parts of St. Louis County. Home values and rents sit below county averages, reflecting the area's working-class character. The community's population has been fairly stable, and its racial composition has diversified over the past several decades, with the non-Hispanic white share declining and Black, Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial populations growing. Major anchors include Jefferson Barracks, with its national cemetery, parks, and museums, and the River City Casino.
For a family considering this school, the student body will be relatively small, which can mean more individual attention, but the academic results on state tests are well below the county median. The school's very high rate of economic disadvantage is a context that can correlate with lower test scores, and a parent may want to discuss what academic supports, intervention programs, or enrichment opportunities the school offers. The district brief turned up little of note about recent changes or strategic initiatives, so families may want to reach out directly to understand current priorities and programming.
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