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John Nowlin Elementary

Summary:

John Nowlin Elementary is a public elementary school in Blue Springs, Missouri, serving 438 students in grades K-5 and part of the Blue Springs R-IV School District, which is ranked 26th out of 386 districts in the state.

John Nowlin Elementary has consistently ranked in the top 25% of Missouri elementary schools, with strong academic performance, particularly in mathematics. The school excels in serving its low-income and disabled student populations, ranking in the top 25% of Missouri elementary schools for these subgroups. However, the school's chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 14.6% to 19.2%, is higher than the district and state averages, which is an area of concern. The school's per-student spending has increased in recent years, and its student-teacher ratio has decreased, indicating the district is allocating resources effectively to support student learning.

Compared to other elementary schools in the area, Little Blue Elementary and William Bryant Elementary are also part of the Blue Springs R-IV School District and may offer similar educational experiences. Overall, John Nowlin Elementary appears to be a high-performing school within the district, with particular strengths in serving its most vulnerable student populations.


Detail:

Public K-5

 5020 NW Valley View Rd
       Blue Springs, MO  64015-2540

(816) 874-3670

District: Blue Springs R-IV

SchoolDigger Rank:
206th of 906 Missouri Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,144 Help


Students who attend John Nowlin Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Paul Kinder Middle School
High:    Blue Springs High

Student/teacher ratio:  13.6 Help
Number of students:  438

Racial breakdown:

White:
64.2%
Hispanic:
12.1%
African American:
11.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  36.3% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details John Nowlin Elementary ranks better than 77.3% of elementary schools in Missouri. It also ranks 10th among 13 ranked elementary schools in the Blue Springs R-IV School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 73.79. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details John Nowlin Elementary has the largest elementary school student body size in the Blue Springs R-IV School District.  (See more...)
Teachers
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at John Nowlin Elementary is $12,144, which is the 3rd highest among 13 elementary schools in the Blue Springs R-IV School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

John Nowlin Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks John Nowlin Elementary 206th of 906 Missouri public elementary schools. (See John Nowlin Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


White students:


Blue Springs R-IV:

SchoolDigger ranks Blue Springs R-IV 26th of 386 Missouri school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for John Nowlin Elementary?

Rank History for John Nowlin Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at John Nowlin Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 81.44 116th 1074 89.2%
2007 76.19 163rd 1080 84.9%
2008 69.62 253rd 1084 76.7%
2009 67.75 285th 1053 72.9%
2010 72.48 242nd 1066 77.3%
2011 84.62 89th 1088 91.8%
2012 80.18 138th 1085 87.3%
2013 75.93 197th 1108 82.2%
2014 85.75 100th 1089 90.8%
2015 89.32 64th 1058 94.0%
2016 83.64 119th 865 86.2%
2017 84.40 113th 1032 89.1%
2018 87.22 89th 1045 91.5%
2019 81.21 139th 1052 86.8%
2021 75.01 191st 901 78.8%
2022 70.12 238th 908 73.8%
2023 69.15 257th 898 71.4%
2024 73.79 206th 906 77.3%
See the entire list of Missouri Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at John Nowlin Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 89.36 31st 887 96.5%
2019 85.73 52nd 907 94.3%
2023 63.51 156th 611 74.5%
See the entire list of Best Missouri Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at John Nowlin Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 74.34 51st 251 79.7%
2019 66.33 88th 302 70.9%
2022 64.66 24th 103 76.7%
See the entire list of Best Missouri Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for White students at John Nowlin Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 84.18 100th 898 88.9%
2019 78.60 146th 917 84.1%
2021 72.53 166th 691 76.0%
2022 56.55 274th 675 59.4%
2023 63.12 227th 673 66.3%
2024 64.79 214th 668 68.0%
See the entire list of Best Missouri Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

John Nowlin Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, January 26, 2017

Open Quote The new Principal and Vice Principal (started school year 2016-17) are amazing. Both are very nice, easy to talk to, and an excellent addition to an already awesome staff. This school has some of the best teachers around (including a Missouri State Teacher of the Year). My child has had amazing success in her elementary career so far (3rd grader), and I strongly believe it is because of the amazing teachers JNE employs. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, March 10, 2014

Open Quote The faculty at john Nowlin is phenomenal. My son is currently in 4th grade and has attended JNE since kindergarder. The bully free at JNE school motto is so awesome. The entire facility stands by this motto and enforces it well. Mrs. Brunk our teacher this year is hands down best teacher he has had thus far and better than any I can remember growing up. I can't say enough about her great teaching skills and the willingness to donate her time to help any student. From the ladies in the lunch room, to special class teacher to the para I've gotten to know, our counsolour and the substitutes, all the staff at JNE are outstanding. The school is very clean and well organiged. Great before and after school activities. Our PTA rocks! The ciriculim is great! I would recommend this elementary to any of my friends and family. Very thankful to have the oppritunity for my son to attend such a great school. My daughter will start attending in a couple years, very excited for her too Close Quote



Enrollment information for John Nowlin Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1991 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 648 648
1992 561 33 13 12 4 n/a n/a 0 623
1993 598 31 12 11 0 n/a n/a 0 652
1994 555 25 12 12 0 n/a n/a 0 604
1995 499 17 9 9 1 n/a n/a 0 535
1996 499 17 9 9 1 n/a n/a 0 535
1997 513 24 12 8 0 n/a n/a 0 557
1998 498 29 8 9 0 n/a n/a 0 544
1999 485 30 7 8 1 n/a n/a 0 531
2000 446 27 5 9 1 n/a n/a 0 488
2001 432 25 9 12 1 n/a n/a 0 479
2002 391 25 9 12 0 n/a n/a 0 437
2003 391 25 9 12 0 n/a n/a 0 437
2004 393 31 12 13 0 n/a n/a 0 449
2005 382 29 13 19 2 n/a n/a 0 445
2006 378 36 16 25 3 n/a n/a 0 458
2007 355 41 12 30 3 n/a n/a 0 441
2008 348 29 15 32 4 n/a n/a 0 428
2009 364 42 16 33 0 n/a n/a 0 455
2010 360 40 11 22 0 n/a n/a 0 433
2011 392 47 11 31 0 0 5 0 486
2012 384 36 11 22 0 1 9 0 463
2013 383 33 11 27 2 1 16 0 473
2014 372 29 10 20 1 1 21 0 454
2015 355 27 8 25 4 2 28 0 449
2016 346 31 7 26 3 1 26 0 440
2017 301 34 9 36 3 1 31 0 415
2018 322 36 8 41 3 3 31 0 444
2019 319 39 6 40 1 4 25 0 434
2020 332 54 9 40 1 2 24 0 462
2021 314 52 10 41 1 2 40 0 460
2022 300 44 12 46 0 3 35 0 440
2023 281 51 12 53 0 3 38 0 438

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at John Nowlin Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1991 648 33.0 19.6 n/a
1992 623 30.4 20.4 6.7
1993 652 31.9 20.4 5.8
1994 604 34.1 17.7 12.7
1995 535 26.5 20.2 10.1
1996 535 26.5 20.2 10.1
1997 557 28.7 19.4 7.7
1998 544 28.4 19.2 7.7
1999 531 28.8 18.4 12.2
2000 488 27.4 17.8 14.5
2001 479 27.5 17.4 13.8
2002 437 25.3 17.3 15.3
2003 437 25.3 17.3 15.3
2004 449 24.3 18.5 19.2
2005 445 27.7 16.1 23.1
2006 458 28.1 16.3 20.7
2007 441 27.0 16.3 20.9
2008 428 29.5 14.5 22.2
2009 455 28.8 15.8 24
2010 433 28.5 15.1 28.2
2011 486 28.4 17.0 31.7
2012 463 30.3 15.2 30.9
2013 473 29.5 16.0 29.8
2014 454 31.0 14.6 28.6
2015 449 30.0 14.9 28.5
2016 440 30.0 14.6 30.9
2017 415 28.7 14.4 34
2018 444 30.1 14.7 30
2019 434 29.0 14.9 40.1
2020 462 32.0 14.4 38.1
2021 460 30.6 15.0 35.2
2022 440 30.2 14.5 17
2023 438 32.2 13.6 36.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio John Nowlin Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1991 648 33.0 19.6 n/a
1992 623 30.4 20.4 6.7
1993 652 31.9 20.4 5.8
1994 604 34.1 17.7 12.7
1995 535 26.5 20.2 10.1
1996 535 26.5 20.2 10.1
1997 557 28.7 19.4 7.7
1998 544 28.4 19.2 7.7
1999 531 28.8 18.4 12.2
2000 488 27.4 17.8 14.5
2001 479 27.5 17.4 13.8
2002 437 25.3 17.3 15.3
2003 437 25.3 17.3 15.3
2004 449 24.3 18.5 19.2
2005 445 27.7 16.1 23.1
2006 458 28.1 16.3 20.7
2007 441 27.0 16.3 20.9
2008 428 29.5 14.5 22.2
2009 455 28.8 15.8 24
2010 433 28.5 15.1 28.2
2011 486 28.4 17.0 31.7
2012 463 30.3 15.2 30.9
2013 473 29.5 16.0 29.8
2014 454 31.0 14.6 28.6
2015 449 30.0 14.9 28.5
2016 440 30.0 14.6 30.9
2017 415 28.7 14.4 34
2018 444 30.1 14.7 30
2019 434 29.0 14.9 40.1
2020 462 32.0 14.4 38.1
2021 460 30.6 15.0 35.2
2022 440 30.2 14.5 17
2023 438 32.2 13.6 36.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for John Nowlin Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $125 (1.2%) $10,257 (98.8%) $10,382
2020 $153 (1.5%) $10,226 (98.5%) $10,378
2021 $736 (6.4%) $10,760 (93.6%) $11,496
2022 $1,425 (11.7%) $10,719 (88.3%) $12,144

Data source: Missouri Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on John Nowlin Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 139th of 1052 Elementary schoolsRanks 257th of 898 Elementary schools
 15.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (John Nowlin Elementary)6841.6
 26.4%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Blue Springs R-IV)72.363.5
 8.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Missouri)4641.1
 4.9%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (John Nowlin Elementary)6441.6
 22.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Blue Springs R-IV)66.257.3
 8.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Missouri)48.742.4
 6.3%
4th Grade Mathematics (John Nowlin Elementary)66.659.7
 6.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Blue Springs R-IV)72.666
 6.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Missouri)46.843.8
 3%
4th Grade English Language Arts (John Nowlin Elementary)63.852.8
 11%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Blue Springs R-IV)70.564.1
 6.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Missouri)49.345.9
 3.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (John Nowlin Elementary)5250.7
 1.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Blue Springs R-IV)72.363.1
 9.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Missouri)40.339.1
 1.2%
5th Grade Science (John Nowlin Elementary)54.748
 6.7%
   5th Grade Science (Blue Springs R-IV)64.160.3
 3.8%
   5th Grade Science (Missouri)42.540.9
 1.6%
5th Grade English Language Arts (John Nowlin Elementary)6057.5
 2.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Blue Springs R-IV)6763.3
 3.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Missouri)47.144.1
 3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students434438
 0.9%
African American3951
 30.8%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian612
 100%
Hispanic4053
 32.5%
Pacific Islander43
 25%
White319281
 11.9%
Two or More Races2538
 52%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients40.1%36.3%
 3.8%

Schools Near John Nowlin Elementary








Frequently Asked Questions about John Nowlin Elementary

Students at John Nowlin Elementary are 64% White, 12% Hispanic, 12% African American, 9% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

Students who attend John Nowlin Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Paul Kinder Middle School
High : Blue Springs High

John Nowlin Elementary ranks 206th of 906 Missouri elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 438 students attended John Nowlin Elementary.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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