The top reported proficiency rate is 81% in Math. The lowest is 60% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Barretts Elem.
Barretts Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school within the Parkway C-2 district in Manchester, a suburban city in western St. Louis County. The school draws its enrollment from a residential area where owner-occupied homes are the norm and the median home value sits well above the national figure, reflecting the broader housing market of this part of the county. Manchester itself is car-dependent, with commercial life centered on Manchester Road, and the city has seen a slight population decline since 2020 after decades of growth driven by annexations. The Parkway district recently approved a bond issue for facility improvements, including safety upgrades and HVAC replacements, structured to avoid a tax rate increase, which families here benefit from without a direct property tax hike.
Academically, Barretts performs at a high level. On the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP), the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile relative to districts in St. Louis County, a group of about two dozen districts. In mathematics, fourth graders posted a strong proficiency rate, and fifth graders were close behind. Third-grade math results were suppressed, a common practice when the tested group is very small, so no conclusion can be drawn there. In English language arts, fourth graders again showed solid results, while third graders had a more moderate showing; fifth-grade ELA results were also suppressed. In science, fifth graders achieved a proficiency rate that, while lower than the math and ELA peaks, still indicates a majority of students meeting the standard. Across all available results, the pattern is one of consistently above-average performance, with the strongest showing in fourth-grade subjects.
The student body is relatively homogeneous. A large majority of students are white, with small shares of students who are Black, Hispanic, Asian, or of two or more races. A very small share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a much lower rate than what is typical across Missouri. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not reported here, and the school does not have a Title I designation. Because Barretts is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report, and chronic absenteeism data were also absent from the available records.
The school’s setting is suburban and neighborhood-oriented. School campuses in Manchester, including Barretts, are distributed through residential areas rather than clustered downtown. Civic anchors like the Grand Glaize Branch of the county library and the historic Lyceum building, which houses City Hall, are within the city but not adjacent to the school. The community is largely residential, with retail and services along Manchester Road serving local needs.
For a family considering this school, the picture is one of a high-performing elementary with strong academic outcomes, set in an affluent, car-dependent suburb. The low share of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and the homogeneous demographics mean the peer environment is relatively consistent. The school’s top-quartile standing within St. Louis County districts underscores its academic strength, though the suppressed results for some grades and subjects mean a parent may want to discuss directly with the school how those grade levels are performing. The district’s recent investment in facilities adds a layer of stability. Barretts fits families who value a traditional suburban elementary with proven academic results and a student body that is economically and racially homogeneous.
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