Sparta Middle

Q: Is Sparta Middle a good school?

Sparta Middle ranks 61 st of 459 Missouri middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Sparta Middle is a public middle school in Sparta, Missouri, serving around 200 students in grades 5-8. The school stands out for its strong academic performance, particularly in mathematics and English Language Arts, as well as its steady improvement over time.

Sparta Middle has significantly higher proficiency rates compared to the state average in several grade levels, including 7th and 8th grade mathematics (54.4% and 62.7% proficient, respectively, compared to the state averages of 39.5% and 30%) and 8th grade English Language Arts (62.7% proficient compared to the state average of 42.7%). The school has also moved from a 1-star rating in 2016-2017 to a 4-star rating in the most recent school year, and its statewide ranking has improved from the bottom half of Missouri middle schools to the top 15%. This is notable given that Sparta Middle serves a relatively high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with nearly 50% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

Compared to nearby schools, Sparta Middle's academic performance is generally stronger, particularly in mathematics and English Language Arts. For example, Sparta Middle's 8th grade mathematics proficiency rate of 62.7% is significantly higher than the rates at Pershing Middle (38.4%) and Cherokee Middle in the Springfield R-Xii district. However, Sparta Middle has a much less diverse student population, with over 90% of students identifying as white, compared to the nearby Nixa Public Schools, which have more racially diverse student bodies.

Detail:

Public 5-8

217 Division St
Sparta, MO 65753-0160

(417) 634-5518

District: Sparta R-III

SchoolDigger Rank:
61^st of 459 Missouri Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,338

Students who attend Sparta Middle usually attend:

High:

Sparta High

Feeder schools for Sparta Middle:

Elementary:

Sparta Elementary

Student/teacher ratio: 13.6

Number of students: 200

Racial breakdown:

White:

94.0%

Two or more races:

3.5%

Hispanic:

1.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 47%

See top rated Missouri middle schools

Compare Sparta Middle to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Sparta Middle ranks better than 86.7% of middle schools in Missouri. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 80.71. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a high 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

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (94%), two or more races (3.5%), Hispanic (1.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 47% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Sparta Middle is 13.6. (See more...)

Compare Sparta Middle employs 14.6 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Sparta Middle is $9,338.

Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Sparta Middle:

SchoolDigger ranks Sparta Middle 61^st of 459 Missouri public middle schools. (See Sparta Middle in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

White students:

Sparta R-III:

SchoolDigger ranks Sparta R-III 105^th of 376 Missouri school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Sparta Middle

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Rank History for all students at Sparta Middle

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MO State Percentile
2006	43.75	387^th	619	37.5%
2007	43.81	403^rd	624	35.4%
2008	48.23	361^st	624	42.1%
2009	49.61	341^st	601	43.3%
2010	53.56	322^nd	614	47.6%
2011	61.15	250^th	625	60.0%
2012	56.63	285^th	623	54.3%
2013	34.01	512^th	649	21.1%
2014	38.49	448^th	633	29.2%
2015	32.44	441^st	585	24.6%
2016	40.48	290^th	435	33.3%
2017	27.56	450^th	568	20.8%
2018	38.65	360^th	552	34.8%
2019	50.81	279^th	587	52.5%
2021	62.50	151^st	454	66.7%
2022	79.52	63^rd	459	86.3%
2023	80.71	61^st	459	86.7%

See the entire list of Missouri Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Sparta Middle

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MO State Percentile
2018	47.65	205^th	422	51.4%
2019	52.67	192^nd	482	60.2%
2021	72.09	62^nd	371	83.3%

See the entire list of Best Missouri Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for White students at Sparta Middle

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MO State Percentile
2018	28.97	373^rd	479	22.1%
2019	41.72	303^rd	527	42.5%
2021	46.05	196^th	376	47.9%
2022	68.97	91^st	381	76.1%
2023	73.48	73^rd	385	81.0%

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.

Data source: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

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Enrollment information for Sparta Middle

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1995	147	1	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	148
1996	147	1	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	148
1997	146	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	146
1998	150	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	150
1999	152	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	152
2000	160	0	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	161
2001	167	0	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	168
2002	191	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	191
2003	191	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	191
2004	160	0	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	161
2005	160	0	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	162
2006	156	0	1	4	2	n/a	n/a	163
2007	176	1	0	2	2	n/a	n/a	181
2008	168	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	168
2009	162	0	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	163
2010	166	1	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	168
2011	155	0	0	1	0	1	1	158
2012	199	0	0	2	0	0	1	202
2013	192	1	0	3	1	0	2	199
2014	186	2	0	2	1	0	2	193
2015	211	1	0	2	1	0	6	221
2016	237	0	1	0	1	0	5	244
2017	243	0	1	0	0	0	6	250
2018	249	0	2	1	1	0	5	258
2019	240	0	1	1	1	0	3	246
2020	218	1	1	2	1	0	6	229
2021	211	0	1	3	1	0	9	225
2022	204	0	1	2	0	0	7	214
2023	188	0	2	3	0	0	7	200

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 Sparta Middle

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1995	148	9.1	16.3	n/a
1996	148	9.1	16.3	n/a
1997	146	10.0	14.6	26.7
1998	150	9.9	15.2	28
1999	152	10.7	14.2	34.9
2000	161	11.8	13.6	48.4
2001	168	11.3	14.9	45.2
2002	191	12.3	15.5	49.7
2003	191	12.3	15.5	49.7
2004	161	11.3	14.2	59.6
2005	162	10.5	15.4	49.4
2006	163	11.6	14.1	55.2
2007	181	10.5	17.2	53
2008	168	12.3	13.7	51.8
2009	163	11.4	14.3	54.6
2010	168	10.8	15.5	63.7
2011	158	10.4	15.1	67.1
2012	202	15.1	13.3	66.3
2013	199	15.5	12.7	70.9
2014	193	15.7	12.2	69.4
2015	221	17.0	13.0	62.9
2016	244	16.0	15.2	58.2
2017	250	15.4	16.2	58.8
2018	258	15.5	16.5	55
2019	246	15.9	15.4	52.8
2020	229	16.0	14.3	62.4
2021	225	15.1	14.8	59.1
2022	214	15.7	13.5	54.7
2023	200	14.6	13.6	47

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 Sparta Middle

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1995	148	9.1	16.3	n/a
1996	148	9.1	16.3	n/a
1997	146	10.0	14.6	26.7
1998	150	9.9	15.2	28
1999	152	10.7	14.2	34.9
2000	161	11.8	13.6	48.4
2001	168	11.3	14.9	45.2
2002	191	12.3	15.5	49.7
2003	191	12.3	15.5	49.7
2004	161	11.3	14.2	59.6
2005	162	10.5	15.4	49.4
2006	163	11.6	14.1	55.2
2007	181	10.5	17.2	53
2008	168	12.3	13.7	51.8
2009	163	11.4	14.3	54.6
2010	168	10.8	15.5	63.7
2011	158	10.4	15.1	67.1
2012	202	15.1	13.3	66.3
2013	199	15.5	12.7	70.9
2014	193	15.7	12.2	69.4
2015	221	17.0	13.0	62.9
2016	244	16.0	15.2	58.2
2017	250	15.4	16.2	58.8
2018	258	15.5	16.5	55
2019	246	15.9	15.4	52.8
2020	229	16.0	14.3	62.4
2021	225	15.1	14.8	59.1
2022	214	15.7	13.5	54.7
2023	200	14.6	13.6	47

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 Sparta Middle

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$483 (6.2%)	$7,295 (93.8%)	$7,778
2020	$202 (2.4%)	$8,196 (97.6%)	$8,398
2021	$383 (4.7%)	$7,689 (95.3%)	$8,072
2022	$552 (5.9%)	$8,786 (94.1%)	$9,338

Data source: Missouri Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Sparta Middle

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 279^th of 587 Middle schools	Ranks 61^st of 459 Middle schools	34.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
5th Grade Mathematics (Sparta Middle)	33.4	30.7	2.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Sparta R-III)	33.4	30.7	2.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Missouri)	40.3	39.1	1.2%
5th Grade Science (Sparta Middle)	44.4	56.4	12%
5th Grade Science (Sparta R-III)	44.4	56.4	12%
5th Grade Science (Missouri)	42.5	40.9	1.6%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Sparta Middle)	38.9	53.9	15%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Sparta R-III)	38.9	53.9	15%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Missouri)	47.1	44.1	3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Sparta Middle)	60.7	35.4	25.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Sparta R-III)	60.7	35.4	25.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Missouri)	42.5	43.7	1.2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Sparta Middle)	62.5	41.7	20.8%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Sparta R-III)	62.5	41.7	20.8%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Missouri)	45.9	37.5	8.4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Sparta Middle)	39.4	54.4	15%
7th Grade Mathematics (Sparta R-III)	39.4	54.4	15%
7th Grade Mathematics (Missouri)	38	39.5	1.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Sparta Middle)	39.4	47.4	8%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Sparta R-III)	39.4	47.4	8%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Missouri)	43.6	37.3	6.3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Sparta Middle)	25	62.7	37.7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Sparta R-III)	25	62.7	37.7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Missouri)	29	30	1%
8th Grade Science (Sparta Middle)	35.9	52.6	16.7%
8th Grade Science (Sparta R-III)	35.9	52.6	16.7%
8th Grade Science (Missouri)	43.7	37.8	5.9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Sparta Middle)	36	62.7	26.7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Sparta R-III)	36	62.7	26.7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Missouri)	47.3	42.7	4.6%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	246	200	18.7%
African American	0	0
American Indian	1	0	100%
Asian	1	2	100%
Hispanic	1	3	200%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	240	188	21.7%
Two or More Races	3	7	133.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	52.8%	47%	5.8%

Schools Near Sparta Middle

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2023)				Ranking (2022)				MAP Mathematics (2023)					MAP Science (2023)		MAP English Language Arts (2023)					MAP Algebra I (2023)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	SchoolDigger Rating (2023)	Average Standard Score (2022)	Statewide Rank (2022)	State Percentile (2022)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MAP Mathematics 4th Grade	MAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MAP Mathematics 6th Grade	MAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MAP Science 5th Grade	MAP Science 8th Grade	MAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	MAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	MAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	MAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MAP Algebra I End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Sparta Middle	Public	5-8	217 Division St	Sparta	65753	Christian County	Sparta R-III	No	No	No	No	(417) 634-5518	200	15	13.6	47.0%	188 (94.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.5%)	2 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.5%)	80.7	61^st of 459 public middle schools	86.7%		79.5	63^rd of 459 public middle schools	86.3%	2		30.7	35.4	54.4	62.7	56.4	52.6		53.9	41.7	47.4	62.7		$9,338	$552	$8,786
Ozark Junior High	Public	7-8	1109 W Jackson	Ozark	65721	Christian County	Ozark R-VI	No	No	No	No	(417) 582-4701	946	71	13.3	36.7%	839 (88.7%)	5 (0.5%)	53 (5.6%)	5 (0.5%)	9 (1.0%)	3 (0.3%)	32 (3.4%)	87.2	36^th of 459 public middle schools	92.2%		86.3	37^th of 459 public middle schools	91.9%	1				65.0	47.0		50.2				52.7	54.0	96.0	$9,858	$444	$9,414
Logan-Rogersville Upper Elementary	Public	4-6	306 S Mill St	Rogersville	65742	Webster County	Logan-Rogersville R-VIII	No	No	No	No	(417) 753-2996	519	34	15.3	32.0%	475 (91.5%)	4 (0.8%)	16 (3.1%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (3.9%)								(n/a)	51.7	42.2	69.1			41.7		49.4	47.3	47.8				$9,740	$241	$9,499
Ozark Middle School	Public	5-6	3600 N Hwy Nn	Ozark	65721	Christian County	Ozark R-VI	No	No	No	No	(417) 582-5903	934	66	14.0	37.7%	820 (87.8%)	17 (1.8%)	47 (5.0%)	7 (0.7%)	9 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (3.6%)								(n/a)		61.8	70.7			69.3			58.9	55.8				$9,259	$557	$8,702
Logan-Rogersville Middle	Public	7-8	476 N Missouri Blvd	Rogersville	65742	Webster County	Logan-Rogersville R-VIII	No	No	No	No	(417) 753-2896	390	24	16.0	29.2%	362 (92.8%)	2 (0.5%)	8 (2.1%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.6%)	77.9	71^st of 459 public middle schools	84.5%		72.9	99^th of 459 public middle schools	78.4%	28				46.6	46.4		45.0				44.1	55.3		$10,562	$938	$9,624
Summit Intermediate School	Public	4-6	890 North Cheyenne Road	Nixa	65714	Christian County	Nixa Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(417) 724-4000	483	32	15.0	29.2%	410 (84.9%)	5 (1.0%)	29 (6.0%)	5 (1.0%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (6.4%)								(n/a)		53.1	80.0			54.4			62.4	61.3				$10,075	$1,057	$9,018
Nixa Junior High	Public	7-8	205 North Street	Nixa	65714	Christian County	Nixa Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(417) 724-6400	1,067	67	15.9	29.0%	880 (82.5%)	12 (1.1%)	89 (8.3%)	13 (1.2%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	71 (6.7%)	93.6	15^th of 459 public middle schools	96.7%		95.6	7^th of 459 public middle schools	98.5%	8				68.3	62.0		57.8				54.0	61.6		$10,091	$926	$9,165
Fordland Middle	Public	6-8	1230 School St	Fordland	65652	Webster County	Fordland R-III	No	No	No	No	(417) 767-4554	139	9	15.6	36.0%	124 (89.2%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (5.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (4.3%)	59.3	174^th of 459 public middle schools	62.1%		54.4	204^th of 459 public middle schools	55.6%	30			44.2	47.0	37.2					37.3	34.7	36.9		$10,530	$1,456	$9,073
Cherokee Middle	Public	6-8	420 E Farm Rd 182	Springfield	65810	Greene County	Springfield R-Xii	No	No	No	No	(417) 523-7200	758	49	15.6	26.8%	609 (80.3%)	31 (4.1%)	42 (5.5%)	40 (5.3%)	1 (0.1%)	5 (0.7%)	30 (4.0%)	91.4	23^rd of 459 public middle schools	95.0%		92	17^th of 459 public middle schools	96.3%	6			62.5	66.2	71.3		46.9			60.4	56.5	62.7	94.6	$10,934	$1,645	$9,289
Nicholas A. Inman Intermediate	Public	5-6	1300 North Nicholas Road	Nixa	65714	Christian County	Nixa Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(417) 724-6600	383	33	11.6	30.0%	314 (82.0%)	4 (1.0%)	23 (6.0%)	5 (1.3%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (8.9%)								(n/a)		52.1	66.0			63.9			67.2	59.4				$9,365	$993	$8,371

Frequently Asked Questions about Sparta Middle

How many students attend Sparta Middle?

In the 2022-23 school year, 200 students attended Sparta Middle.

Is Sparta Middle a good school?

Sparta Middle ranks 61^st of 459 Missouri middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What high school do graduates of Sparta Middle attend?

Students who attend Sparta Middle usually go on to attend Sparta High

What is the racial makeup of Sparta Middle?

Students at Sparta Middle are 94% White, 4% Two or more races, 2% Hispanic.

What district is Sparta Middle in?

Sparta R-III

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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.