The top reported proficiency rate is 20% in English language arts. The lowest is 14% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Kratz Elem.
Kratz Elementary is a regular public school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in the Ritenour School District, located within the city of St. Louis. The school operates as a neighborhood elementary building, and no recent district-wide changes such as boundary shifts, tax referendums, or curriculum overhauls have been publicly reported, so families can expect the current setup to remain stable in the near term.
Academically, state assessment results show that student proficiency rates across math, English language arts, and science fall well below the midpoint when Kratz is compared with other elementary schools within St. Louis County districts. In math, the share of students reaching proficiency is low in each tested grade, with the highest rate in fourth grade. In English language arts, rates are similarly low, though fifth graders show a somewhat higher share than the earlier grades. Science results for fifth graders are also below the county median. These numbers suggest that the school is working with a student body where a large majority are not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks, a pattern that often reflects broader challenges beyond the classroom. A parent considering Kratz may want to ask the school directly about the specific interventions and instructional supports in place, such as tutoring, small-group instruction, or extended learning time, and how those efforts are monitored for effectiveness.
The student body is diverse. A little more than half of the students are Black, roughly a quarter are Hispanic, and the remainder are White or of two or more races, with small numbers of Asian and American Indian students. Nearly every student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, which points to a high level of economic need across the school community. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not available in the source materials, so a family with a child in either category should confirm directly with the school what services are offered and how they are delivered.
Because Kratz serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and the school does not offer advanced coursework or career pathways. The academic program is focused on foundational literacy, math, and science, with state testing in grades three through five.
The school is located in St. Louis, an independent city with a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial districts. The local economy includes a range of industries, with major employers such as the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and the Washington University Medical Center. Cultural anchors like Forest Park, the Saint Louis Zoo, and several museums are nearby. The housing market in the broader St. Louis area shows home values that are below the national benchmark, and the local market has seen some softening in median listing prices over the past year, though inventory and demand remain moderate. For a family considering moving into the attendance area, the cost of housing is relatively affordable compared with much of the country, and rental costs are also below national averages.
This is a school where the peer environment reflects a high level of economic need and a diverse student population. The academic performance is low relative to the county, and a family moving into the area with a strong focus on test scores or accelerated academics would want to explore what additional resources the district provides at this school and whether those align with their child’s needs. For a family that values a neighborhood school serving a community with significant economic challenges, Kratz offers a regular educational setting for the elementary years, with no special programs or magnet themes to shape the experience. The best way to understand the day-to-day environment is to visit, observe a classroom, and speak with the principal about how the school supports its students toward meeting grade-level standards.
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