The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in Science. The lowest is 32% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Midway Elem.
Midway Elementary serves kindergarten through sixth grade in the Midway R-I district, located in the small, predominantly rural Cass County community of Cleveland. Cleveland is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, but its character is distinctly low-density and residential, with a modest civic presence centered on East Main Street. State testing data was available for the school, although some results were suppressed by the state for small group sizes, meaning a parent may want to discuss the full picture of academic performance directly with the school.
In the 2024-25 school year, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades placed it slightly above the midpoint when compared to other districts within Cass County. Looking at individual grade-level results, the strongest showing came from sixth grade, where proficiency rates in both math and English language arts stood notably higher than in other grades. Fourth-grade proficiency was lower in both subjects, and fifth-grade English language arts results were the softest point in the data. Science results for fifth grade fell roughly in the middle of the school’s subject-level range. Given that the school serves grades K through six, there is no high school graduation rate to report.
The student body is predominantly white, with small shares of students identifying as two or more races, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Black. Roughly three in ten students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a metric that provides a window into the economic mix of families the school serves. Data on students with Individualized Education Programs and English learners was not available in the reporting.
Housing in the Cleveland area has seen significant appreciation. Home values are well above the state average and have outpaced national growth in recent years. The typical mortgage on a home at current prices would be well above the typical rent in the area, making renting more affordable than buying for a new household. The broader economic context includes a national unemployment rate that has remained stable, and median household income nationally has risen modestly over the past several years.
The school operates as a regular public school and is not a charter or magnet institution. Information on Title I status was not available in the records reviewed. No data was reported on chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, discipline rates, or course access, so a parent looking into student support structures or school climate may want to ask the school directly for details.
The district itself, Midway R-I, appears to be operating without any major recent changes that would be widely publicized. Searches for referendums, curriculum shifts, or property tax changes turned up no lasting parent-relevant developments in the last several years. The school’s setting in a rural, low-density town with limited street life and no identified public transit means families likely rely on personal vehicles for drop-off, pick-up, and extracurricular transportation.
For a parent weighing this school, the picture is mixed. The school’s overall proficiency is roughly in line with the middle of Cass County districts, but the grade-level variation is worth noting: sixth grade stands out as a relative strength, while fourth and fifth grades show room for improvement. The housing market in the area is tight, with values climbing, which may be a factor for families considering a move. The school does not offer high school grades, so the pathway beyond sixth grade will be to another building in the district. Without data on special education services, English learner support, or school climate metrics, a family with a child who needs those supports should reach out to the school directly to understand what is available.
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