The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in English language arts. The lowest is 22% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Malden Lower Elem.
Malden Lower Elementary serves students from prekindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school in the Malden R-I district, located in the small, rural city of Malden in Missouri's Bootheel region. The community has seen a long, steady population decline over several decades, and the housing stock shows a noticeable share of vacancies. Home values here are well below both the state and national benchmarks, making it an area where housing is relatively affordable compared to much of Missouri.
The school enrolls a student body of a size that is typical for a small-town elementary building. The student population is predominantly white, with a substantial Black student presence, and smaller shares of students who identify as Hispanic or as two or more races. A very large proportion of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting the economic reality of a community where median household income lags behind national figures.
On state assessments, Malden Lower Elementary’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades falls below the midpoint when compared with other districts in Dunklin County. The results show some variability by grade and subject. In English language arts, the share of students meeting proficiency in grades three and five is in a moderate range, while grade four is somewhat lower. In mathematics, performance drops more sharply: grades three and four are below half proficient, and fifth-grade math is very low, with only a small fraction of students reaching the proficient level. Science results for fifth grade were suppressed in the available data, so it is not possible to assess that subject from this information. A parent may want to ask the school directly about math instruction and support, particularly as students move toward the upper elementary grades.
The school offers no public data on special education or English learner populations, and the state does not report chronic absenteeism or discipline figures for this campus. Those gaps mean a family relying on that information would need to seek it from the district.
The district itself, Malden R-I, appears to have been in a steady state recently; no major changes or initiatives were identified in publicly available sources. The town’s economy includes an industrial park and regional airport on the site of a former army airfield, along with satellite college campuses, but growth and development have been limited. The local public transit system is a notable feature for a town this size, and civic anchors such as a library, a community center, and a nearby state park provide some amenities.
For a family considering Malden Lower Elementary, the key takeaway is a school operating in a community facing economic headwinds and population loss, with a student body that is economically disadvantaged at high levels. Academic results are mixed and generally below the county average, especially in math. The school’s size and small-town setting may appeal to those seeking a close-knit environment, but the proficiency numbers suggest that for some students, extra academic support may be needed. Missing data on key student support populations and discipline makes it harder to fully evaluate the learning environment from this data alone.
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