The top reported proficiency rate is 6% in English language arts. The lowest is 1% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Yeatman-liddell Middle School
Yeatman-Liddell Middle School is a regular public middle school in St. Louis, serving grades six through eight as part of the St. Louis City district. The school’s student body is enrolled in the hundreds, and the demographic composition is one of the most homogeneous in its setting: virtually all students are Black, with a very small number of White, Hispanic, or Asian students. Every single student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a student population that faces significant economic need.
The academic picture, based on the most recent state testing results from the Missouri Assessment Program, shows very low proficiency rates in the core subjects. On the math assessment, across all three grade levels, the share of students scoring proficient or advanced was minimal. The English language arts results were similarly low, with only a small fraction of students meeting the state’s proficiency bar. In eighth-grade science, the pattern held: very few students reached the proficient level. When placed against the backdrop of the other school districts within St. Louis city, Yeatman-Liddell’s overall proficiency index sits in the bottom quartile. A parent considering this school will want to understand what academic interventions and supports are in place, as the assessment data points to deep instructional challenges that the school is working within.
The school does not have a graduation rate to report, which is standard for a middle school that does not serve high school grades, so that measure does not apply here. Information on student discipline rates, chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, and course access was not available, so a parent may wish to ask the school directly about these areas, as they are important for understanding the daily environment. Data on the share of students with disabilities or English learner status was also absent in the source material.
St. Louis is an independent city with a varied economy anchored by health care, higher education, federal agencies, and a range of service and manufacturing industries. Major employers include Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and the Federal Reserve Bank. The city offers large civic and cultural institutions such as Forest Park, the Saint Louis Zoo, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Saint Louis Science Center, and the Saint Louis Art Museum, which provide resources that the school and families may engage with. The city’s political boundaries have been fixed since its separation from St. Louis County, and its population has shifted over time.
The housing market in the zip code covering the school’s area has a median home value well below both the state and national benchmarks, and home values have declined recently. Rents are modest, and the estimated monthly mortgage payment is lower than the national median rent, which could make homeownership accessible for some families. The economic context of the surrounding area, including a national unemployment rate and a rising rent index, is something a family moving into the zone should weigh.
No recent district-level changes, such as boundary adjustments, program overhauls, or leadership transitions, were found in the publicly available records searched. A family moving into the attendance area should contact the school or district directly for the most current information about any initiatives or operational changes that may affect their child’s experience.
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