Best Middle Schools in Saint Louis, MO

The city of Saint Louis, Missouri is home to 31 middle schools serving students in grades 6-8. These schools span a wide range of performance levels, from highly-ranked institutions like Ladue Middle and Hixson Middle, which are among the top 25 middle schools in the state, to struggling schools with single-digit proficiency rates on state assessments.

The top-performing middle schools in the Saint Louis area are found in higher-ranked districts like Ladue, Webster Groves, and Lindbergh Schools. These schools demonstrate strong academic achievement, with over 60% of students proficient in core subjects like math and English Language Arts. In contrast, many middle schools in the St. Louis City district struggle, with chronic absenteeism rates exceeding 50% and proficiency rates in the single digits.

Across the Saint Louis middle school landscape, there are significant disparities in performance that highlight systemic inequities. Factors like district quality, school leadership, and student attendance appear to play a crucial role in student outcomes, beyond just funding levels. Addressing these disparities will require a comprehensive approach to support the most challenged schools and communities.