The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in Science. The lowest is 34% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Pacific Intermediate
Pacific Intermediate serves only fifth and sixth graders, a brief but important bridge between elementary school and the upper grades in the Meramec Valley R-III district. It sits in the city of Pacific, a small railroad town along Historic Route 66 about a half-hour southwest of St. Louis. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and roughly half of its students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a measure that gives a sense of the economic mix in the community.
The school’s state testing results are the core evidence a parent would want to examine. On the Missouri Assessment Program, proficiency rates in math and English language arts are below the midpoint when compared with other Franklin County districts. The overall proficiency index, averaging across tested subjects and grades, places Pacific Intermediate in the bottom quarter of districts in the county. In grade five, math proficiency was below a third of students, and English language arts was just above a third. Grade six math improved to nearly half of students at the proficient level, but English language arts stayed around a third. Science, tested only in grade five, showed the highest performance, with nearly half of students reaching proficiency. The pattern suggests that math outcomes vary by grade while English language arts remains a consistent area of challenge. A parent looking at these numbers would want to ask the school about instructional supports and how the curriculum addresses gaps, particularly in reading and writing.
The student body is predominantly white, reflecting the broader demographics of the area. The school enrolls about 200 students per grade, a size that allows for personal attention but still offers some peer diversity. Because Pacific Intermediate does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate and no data on advanced coursework, career pathways, or college readiness. Those metrics would apply to the district’s high school. Similarly, chronic absenteeism and discipline data are not available in the provided information, so a parent would need to seek that directly from the school or district.
Pacific itself is a city with a population that has grown modestly since the 2020 census. It straddles Franklin and St. Louis counties, with Interstate 44 cutting through its northern edge and the Meramec River running along its south side. The town’s economy includes the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center, a state prison annexed into the city limits, and the railroads that gave the town its start. Housing values in the area are somewhat above the typical Missouri home, though still below the national median. The auto-oriented layout and lack of detailed walkability scores mean families likely rely on cars for school drop-off and errands.
The Meramec Valley R-III district recently passed a bond measure, funded by a sum that does not increase the property tax rate. The bond supports capital improvements across the district: safety and security upgrades, roof repairs, HVAC work, classroom and lab renovations, and athletic facility enhancements. This signals that the district is investing in its physical infrastructure without asking voters for a higher tax rate. Families may see updated buildings and amenities in the coming years.
For a parent deciding whether Pacific Intermediate fits their child, the school offers a focused two-year program in a district that is making facility investments. The academic results point to a school where proficiency in English language arts is an area to watch closely. The community is a small city with a mix of residential and commercial life along a historic highway, and the district appears stable from a financial perspective. A visit to the school and conversations with teachers about how they address reading and math would be practical next steps.
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