The top reported proficiency rate is 37% in Math. The lowest is 33% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Mount Vernon Middle
Mount Vernon Middle School is a regular public school serving grades six through eight within the Mt. Vernon R-V School District. It is located in the town of Mount Vernon, the county seat of Lawrence County, a small community set along Interstate 44 roughly halfway between Springfield and Joplin. The town has a historic downtown square, seven city parks, a public library, and annual events such as Apple Butter Makin’ Days. Its economy includes manufacturing, trucking, farming, and professional services, and the school district itself is a notable local employer.
The school’s enrollment is typical for a middle school in this part of the state. The student body is overwhelmingly white, with small shares of Hispanic students and students identifying as two or more races. Just under half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a level that points to a moderate degree of economic need in the community. Data on special education and English learner populations were not available; parents who need this information would want to ask the school directly.
On the Missouri Assessment Program, Mount Vernon Middle School’s results across tested subjects and grades are modest. In both math and English language arts, proficiency rates varied by grade, with some grades showing a higher share of students meeting the state’s proficiency standard than others. The eighth-grade math results were not reported, which may reflect a suppression for small group sizes. Eighth-grade science results followed a similar pattern. When compared with other districts in Lawrence County, the school’s overall proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades sits in the bottom quartile. This is a soft spot. A parent considering this school should look into how the school supports academic growth, especially for students who are not yet at grade level, and what interventions or enrichment are in place.
Because Mount Vernon Middle School serves only middle grades, there is no graduation rate to report. Chronic absenteeism data were also not available, which limits a full picture of attendance patterns.
No data on program offerings, course access, staffing ratios, or discipline were provided. The district brief turned up no recent parent-relevant changes, so readers will need to rely on school communications for updates on curriculum, extracurriculars, and building-level decisions.
The town itself has seen modest population growth in recent years and invested in community infrastructure, including a significant renovation of the Spirit of 76 Park swimming pool. The school sits within a stable, small-town setting where many families would find a familiar pace of life. For parents weighing this school, the academic results warrant a close look, and the gaps in available data mean that direct conversations with the school’s administration and visits to the building will be especially important for understanding the full environment.
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