The top reported proficiency rate is 73% in English language arts. The lowest is 63% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Ladue Middle
This is Ladue Middle School, serving sixth through eighth grade in the Ladue School District. It is a regular public school for students in the western part of St. Louis County.
Academically, this school produces strong results. On the Missouri Assessment Program, proficiency rates across tested subjects and grades consistently sit at a high level. In English language arts, the school’s performance is notably strong at both sixth and eighth grade, with a slightly lower but still solid rate in seventh grade. In mathematics, sixth and seventh grade results are also strong, while the eighth grade math proficiency rate represents a meaningful drop, a pattern a parent may want to explore further with the school. Eighth grade science results are similarly strong. Looked at across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile relative to other districts in St. Louis County. This is a school whose core academic work is consistently among the strongest in the region.
The school has a large enrollment for a middle school, serving a sizable student body. Its student population is racially and economically diverse. A substantial share of students are white, roughly a fifth are Asian, a smaller but notable share are Black, and there are smaller groups of students who are Hispanic, two or more races, and American Indian or Alaska Native. About a tenth of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that is low compared to many public schools in the area and points to a predominantly higher-income student body. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available.
The school recently underwent a major facilities renovation, completed in 2024, as part of a districtwide bond referendum passed by voters. This means the building itself is newly updated. The district’s tax rates reflect the bond obligation, a fact a prospective homebuyer would encounter in the property tax bill.
The housing context in this area is expensive. Home values in the school’s zip code are very high, well above state and national benchmarks. Rents are also high. This is a high-cost market for families looking to live within the attendance boundary. The county-level housing data shows a relatively balanced market with a moderate number of active listings and a median days on market that is not especially fast or slow.
The school sits within the city of St. Louis, an independent city that separated from St. Louis County and has not grown its political boundaries. The city has a diverse economy anchored by major employers such as Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University in St. Louis, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Civic and cultural institutions are plentiful, including Forest Park, the Saint Louis Zoo, and the Missouri Botanical Garden. The school itself is located in a suburban-style neighborhood along Conway Road, not in the dense urban core.
For a family weighing this school, the academic picture is clear: it is a top performer in its county, with a strong floor and high peaks. The main points to investigate are the dip in eighth grade math and whether the school’s size and demographics fit your child’s needs. The housing cost is a barrier to entry. Those who can clear it will find a school with updated facilities and a track record of strong test performance.
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