Liberty Middle School

Summary:

Liberty Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 6-8 in the Liberty 53 School District in Liberty, Missouri, with 638 students and a 3-out-of-5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While the school has seen fluctuations in its statewide ranking over the past decade, it currently faces several challenges. Its test scores are generally lower than the district and state averages, with only 16.3% of 8th graders proficient or better in MAP Mathematics, compared to 25.3% for the Liberty 53 district and 30.6% statewide. Additionally, Liberty Middle School has experienced a concerning increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 18.2% in 2021-2022 to 22.1% in 2023-2024, significantly higher than the district's average of 15.6%. The school's performance also varies significantly across different student subgroups, with the school ranking 97th out of 144 Missouri middle schools for African American students, 140th out of 379 for White students, and only 40th out of 45 for Gifted and Talented students.

Compared to other middle schools in the Liberty 53 district, such as Heritage Middle School, South Valley Middle, and Discovery Middle School, Liberty Middle School's performance is generally lower, with higher test scores, lower chronic absenteeism rates, and better performance across student subgroups. Additionally, the school's statewide ranking has dropped from 105th out of 454 Missouri middle schools in 2020-2021 to 185th out of 451 in 2023-2024, suggesting a concerning trend of declining academic performance. The increasing percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, coupled with the lower performance of economically disadvantaged and minority student subgroups, indicates that socioeconomic factors may be playing a significant role in the school's academic outcomes.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 1500 S Withers
       Liberty, MO  64068-4600


(816) 736-5410

District: Liberty 53

SchoolDigger Rank:
185th of 451 Missouri Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,437 Help


Students who attend Liberty Middle School usually attend:

High:    Liberty High

Feeder schools for Liberty Middle School:

Elementary:    Lillian Schumacher Elementary
    Manor Hill Elementary

Student/teacher ratio:  11.6 Help
Number of students:  597

Racial breakdown:

White:
76.5%
Hispanic:
8.2%
African American:
7.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  33% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Liberty Middle School ranks better than 59% of middle schools in Missouri. It also ranks last among 4 ranked middle schools in the Liberty 53 School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 57.67. (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 Liberty Middle School has the smallest middle school student body size in the Liberty 53 School District. Racial makeup is: White (76.5%), Hispanic (8.2%), African American (7.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 33% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Liberty 53 School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Liberty Middle School is 11.6, which is the lowest among 4 middle schools in the Liberty 53 School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Liberty Middle School employs 51.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Liberty Middle School is $12,437, which is the 2nd highest among 4 middle schools in the Liberty 53 School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Liberty Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Liberty Middle School 185th of 451 Missouri public middle schools. (See Liberty Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Gifted and Talented students:
African American students:
White students:


Liberty 53:

SchoolDigger ranks Liberty 53 87th of 386 Missouri school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Liberty Middle School

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Rank History for all students at Liberty Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 89.12 27th 619 95.6%
2007 83.30 39th 624 93.8%
2008 81.19 48th 624 92.3%
2009 81.64 49th 601 91.8%
2010 83.98 45th 614 92.7%
2011 81.45 60th 625 90.4%
2012 75.66 97th 623 84.4%
2013 80.57 53rd 649 91.8%
2014 77.72 78th 633 87.7%
2015 83.25 60th 585 89.7%
2016 79.22 63rd 435 85.5%
2017 71.06 119th 568 79.0%
2018 66.79 137th 552 75.2%
2019 77.19 76th 587 87.1%
2021 69.43 105th 454 76.9%
2022 58.85 172nd 459 62.5%
2023 60.73 162nd 459 64.7%
2024 57.67 185th 451 59.0%
See the entire list of Missouri Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Liberty Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.76 58th 79 26.6%
See the entire list of Best Missouri Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Liberty Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 52.46 68th 192 64.6%
2024 62.55 48th 194 75.3%
See the entire list of Best Missouri Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Liberty Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.70 210th 422 50.2%
2019 61.60 137th 482 71.6%
2021 64.27 94th 371 74.7%
2022 33.23 268th 365 26.6%
2023 45.79 206th 382 46.1%
2024 48.33 189th 378 50.0%
See the entire list of Best Missouri Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Liberty Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.97 95th 162 41.4%
2019 61.58 65th 204 68.1%
2021 52.17 69th 195 64.6%
2022 36.79 120th 187 35.8%
See the entire list of Best Missouri Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Liberty Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 74.33 8th 104 92.3%
2019 68.15 26th 121 78.5%
2024 29.23 40th 45 11.1%
See the entire list of Best Missouri Middle Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for African American students at Liberty Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 56.09 50th 129 61.2%
2019 79.46 18th 149 87.9%
2024 33.83 97th 144 32.6%
See the entire list of Best Missouri Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Liberty Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.37 45th 96 53.1%
2019 53.23 58th 130 55.4%
2021 45.10 34th 67 49.3%
2022 38.72 44th 78 43.6%
2023 45.02 39th 74 47.3%
See the entire list of Best Missouri Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Liberty Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 64.26 125th 479 73.9%
2019 77.51 70th 527 86.7%
2021 66.46 101st 376 73.1%
2022 59.09 128th 381 66.4%
2023 61.77 122nd 385 68.3%
2024 56.87 140th 379 63.1%
See the entire list of Best Missouri Middle 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.

Liberty Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

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Enrollment information for Liberty Middle School

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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 694 694
1992 716 32 2 15 0 n/a n/a 0 765
1993 724 28 0 16 0 n/a n/a 0 768
1994 789 20 2 10 0 n/a n/a 0 821
1995 794 32 9 13 2 n/a n/a 0 850
1996 794 32 9 13 2 n/a n/a 0 850
1997 852 35 9 13 0 n/a n/a 0 909
1998 874 34 10 16 1 n/a n/a 0 935
1999 917 36 13 16 3 n/a n/a 0 985
2000 991 35 2 16 6 n/a n/a 0 1050
2001 1021 35 1 29 1 n/a n/a 0 1087
2002 638 30 7 14 2 n/a n/a 0 691
2003 638 30 7 14 2 n/a n/a 0 691
2004 627 43 4 15 2 n/a n/a 0 691
2005 655 36 7 17 9 n/a n/a 0 724
2006 654 28 10 28 7 n/a n/a 0 727
2007 682 43 13 24 8 n/a n/a 0 770
2008 668 59 12 22 8 n/a n/a 0 769
2009 723 70 13 35 5 n/a n/a 0 846
2010 658 68 14 33 5 n/a n/a 0 778
2011 624 69 10 28 5 2 2 0 740
2012 664 66 8 48 6 5 2 0 799
2013 673 54 16 50 6 6 7 0 812
2014 561 44 11 44 6 6 8 0 680
2015 584 42 17 35 10 3 8 0 699
2016 592 35 22 38 7 0 14 0 708
2017 610 40 17 46 2 1 16 0 732
2018 610 39 18 59 0 1 24 0 751
2019 577 31 14 63 1 4 37 0 727
2020 548 27 22 71 3 4 36 0 711
2021 512 36 16 69 2 5 38 0 678
2022 494 41 8 66 2 4 46 0 661
2023 482 39 4 60 2 2 49 0 638
2024 457 44 6 49 2 2 37 0 597

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 Liberty Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1991 694 39.1 17.7 n/a
1992 765 44.0 17.3 10.7
1993 768 45.0 17.1 8.2
1994 821 45.7 18.0 10
1995 850 50.0 17.0 13.5
1996 850 50.0 17.0 13.5
1997 909 48.3 18.8 9.8
1998 935 54.5 17.2 8.4
1999 985 60.6 16.3 14
2000 1050 62.6 16.8 12.9
2001 1087 69.0 15.8 10.5
2002 691 46.8 14.8 12.7
2003 691 46.8 14.8 12.7
2004 691 50.6 13.7 14.8
2005 724 48.3 15.0 14.4
2006 727 52.3 13.9 16.2
2007 770 51.2 15.0 19.6
2008 769 60.3 12.8 19.1
2009 846 58.6 14.4 18.2
2010 778 56.4 13.7 24.9
2011 740 53.4 13.8 26.8
2012 799 55.6 14.3 29.8
2013 812 57.9 14.0 28
2014 680 44.9 15.1 25.9
2015 699 43.0 16.2 22.2
2016 708 44.0 16.0 22.7
2017 732 45.4 16.1 27.2
2018 751 47.6 15.7 25.4
2019 727 48.5 14.9 26
2020 711 49.3 14.4 29.3
2021 678 50.5 13.4 29.6
2022 661 49.8 13.2 27.4
2023 638 48.9 13.0 33.4
2024 597 51.1 11.6 33

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 Liberty Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1991 694 39.1 17.7 n/a
1992 765 44.0 17.3 10.7
1993 768 45.0 17.1 8.2
1994 821 45.7 18.0 10
1995 850 50.0 17.0 13.5
1996 850 50.0 17.0 13.5
1997 909 48.3 18.8 9.8
1998 935 54.5 17.2 8.4
1999 985 60.6 16.3 14
2000 1050 62.6 16.8 12.9
2001 1087 69.0 15.8 10.5
2002 691 46.8 14.8 12.7
2003 691 46.8 14.8 12.7
2004 691 50.6 13.7 14.8
2005 724 48.3 15.0 14.4
2006 727 52.3 13.9 16.2
2007 770 51.2 15.0 19.6
2008 769 60.3 12.8 19.1
2009 846 58.6 14.4 18.2
2010 778 56.4 13.7 24.9
2011 740 53.4 13.8 26.8
2012 799 55.6 14.3 29.8
2013 812 57.9 14.0 28
2014 680 44.9 15.1 25.9
2015 699 43.0 16.2 22.2
2016 708 44.0 16.0 22.7
2017 732 45.4 16.1 27.2
2018 751 47.6 15.7 25.4
2019 727 48.5 14.9 26
2020 711 49.3 14.4 29.3
2021 678 50.5 13.4 29.6
2022 661 49.8 13.2 27.4
2023 638 48.9 13.0 33.4
2024 597 51.1 11.6 33

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 Liberty Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $658 (6.5%) $9,429 (93.5%) $10,087
2020 $752 (6.8%) $10,304 (93.2%) $11,056
2021 $927 (8.0%) $10,622 (92.0%) $11,548
2022 $867 (7.0%) $11,570 (93.0%) $12,437

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Liberty Middle School

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 76th of 587 Middle schoolsRanks 162nd of 459 Middle schools
 22.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade Mathematics (Liberty Middle School)52.639.9
 12.7%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Liberty 53)52.750.4
 2.3%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Missouri)42.543.7
 1.2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Liberty Middle School)64.245
 19.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Liberty 53)6249.4
 12.6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Missouri)45.937.5
 8.4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Liberty Middle School)50.331.6
 18.7%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Liberty 53)50.440.2
 10.2%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Missouri)3839.5
 1.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Liberty Middle School)61.140.1
 21%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Liberty 53)56.244.4
 11.8%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Missouri)43.637.3
 6.3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Liberty Middle School)16.921.4
 4.5%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Liberty 53)3327
 6%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Missouri)2930
 1%
8th Grade Science (Liberty Middle School)57.540.3
 17.2%
   8th Grade Science (Liberty 53)55.742.8
 12.9%
   8th Grade Science (Missouri)43.737.8
 5.9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Liberty Middle School)61.854.9
 6.9%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Liberty 53)58.351.6
 6.7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Missouri)47.342.7
 4.6%
End of Course Algebra I (Liberty Middle School)69.679.4
 9.8%
   End of Course Algebra I (Liberty 53)51.945.1
 6.8%
   End of Course Algebra I (Missouri)45.341.5
 3.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students727638
 12.2%
African American3139
 25.8%
American Indian12
 100%
Asian144
 71.4%
Hispanic6360
 4.8%
Pacific Islander42
 50%
White577482
 16.5%
Two or More Races3749
 32.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients26%33.4%
 7.4%


Schools Near Liberty Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Liberty Middle School

Students who attend Liberty Middle School usually go on to attend Liberty High

Liberty Middle School ranks 185th of 451 Missouri middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Liberty Middle School are 77% White, 8% Hispanic, 7% African American, 6% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

In the 2023-24 school year, 597 students attended Liberty Middle School.


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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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