The top reported proficiency rate is 42% in Math. The lowest is 40% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Mount Vernon Intermediate
Mount Vernon Intermediate is a regular public school serving grades three through five in the small town of Mount Vernon, the county seat of Lawrence County in southwest Missouri. The town sits along Interstate 44 roughly halfway between Springfield and Joplin, a position that gives it a mix of locally owned businesses, manufacturing, and farm operations. The historic downtown square anchors community life, and annual events such as Apple Butter Makin' Days draw residents together. Seven city parks, including Spirit of 76 Park with a recently updated pool and walking trails along Williams Creek, provide recreation. Housing in the area is priced below the statewide typical value, and the local economy includes a significant public-sector employer in the school district itself. The town has seen modest population growth in recent years.
The school's student body is predominantly white, with a small Hispanic presence and a small share of students identifying as two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting a degree of economic need in the community. Because Mount Vernon Intermediate covers only upper elementary grades, there are no graduation rate or college readiness metrics reported at this level, which is typical for a school that does not serve high school grades.
On the Missouri Assessment Program, Mount Vernon Intermediate's proficiency rates across math, English language arts, and science show a mixed picture. In third grade, roughly two out of five students scored at the proficient or advanced level in both math and ELA, a pattern that holds fairly steady into fourth grade. By fifth grade, the share of students reaching proficiency in math and ELA slips somewhat, and the same cohort's science proficiency is comparable. Overall, when the school's combined proficiency across all tested subjects and grades is compared with other districts in Lawrence County, it lands above the midpoint of the cohort. That means it performs better than some of its county neighbors but also that a meaningful number of students are not yet reaching the proficient benchmark. A parent may want to ask the school about the specific supports available for students who are below that level, particularly as students move through the intermediate grades and into middle school.
The school is part of the Mt. Vernon R-V district, which also operates an early learning center, an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school within the town. The district's recent public-facing information shows few significant changes of lasting note, so the overall trajectory appears stable. No data on chronic absenteeism or discipline were available in the information reviewed, and staffing and course access figures were also absent. These gaps mean a family wanting a fuller sense of daily climate or support structures would need to visit or speak directly with the school.
For a family considering this area, Mount Vernon Intermediate offers a small-town, county-seat setting with a centrally located school that draws from a predominantly white and economically mixed population. Its academic performance is in the middle-to-upper range among Lawrence County districts, but a noticeable share of students does not yet meet state standards, especially by fifth grade. Housing is relatively affordable compared with the state average, and the town has basic amenities including parks, a library, and highway access. The lack of detailed data on student support programs and school climate means that on-the-ground inquiry would be valuable for any parent weighing this option.
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