Is Sparta Middle a good school?

Sparta Middle ranks 130 th of 451 Missouri middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Sparta Middle?

In the 2023-24 school year, 200 students attended Sparta Middle.

What is the racial makeup of Sparta Middle?

Students at Sparta Middle are 94% White, 3% Two or more races, 2% Hispanic.

What high school do graduates of Sparta Middle attend?

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

Sparta Middle

Summary:

Sparta Middle is a public middle school serving grades 5-8 in Sparta, Missouri, with an enrollment of 200 students. The school is part of the Sparta R-III school district, which is ranked 109 out of 386 districts in Missouri and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Sparta Middle has seen a fluctuating statewide ranking over the past decade, ranging from 130th out of 451 Missouri middle schools in 2023-2024 to as low as 450th out of 568 in 2016-2017. However, it has maintained a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger for the past 3 years, indicating strong overall performance. The school has performed well for its White and Low Socioeconomic Status student subgroups, ranking in the top 25-30% of Missouri middle schools in recent years. Sparta Middle's test scores in Mathematics and English Language Arts are generally above the state average, with 5th-8th grade students scoring 32.6% to 48.6% proficient or better in Mathematics and 40.9% to 62.7% proficient or better in English Language Arts. However, the school has seen a concerning increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 10.8% in 2022-2023 to 22.9% in the same year, which is an area of concern that the school should address.

Compared to nearby schools, Sparta Middle generally performs better than Fordland Middle School, which has lower test scores and a lower statewide ranking. However, it lags behind the higher-performing schools in the Nixa and Ozark districts, such as Cherokee Middle, Nixa Junior High, and Ozark Junior High, which consistently rank among the top middle schools in the state. Sparta Middle's high percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 47% to 59.11% over the past few years, suggests that the school serves a population with significant economic challenges, which may be a factor in the school's performance.

Detail:

Public 5-8

217 Division St
Sparta, MO 65753-0160

(417) 634-5518

District: Sparta R-III

SchoolDigger Rank:
130^th of 451 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: 13.8

Number of students: 200

Racial breakdown:

White:

93.5%

Two or more races:

3.0%

Hispanic:

2.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 44.5%

See top rated Missouri middle schools

Compare Sparta Middle to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Sparta Middle ranks better than 71.2% of middle schools in Missouri. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 65.67. (See more...)

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

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (93.5%), two or more races (3%), Hispanic (2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 44.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Sparta Middle is 13.8. (See more...)

Compare Sparta Middle employs 14.4 full-time teachers.

Finance

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

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Sparta Middle:

SchoolDigger ranks Sparta Middle 130^th of 451 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 109^th of 386 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%
2024	65.67	130^th	451	71.2%

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%
2024	58.33	136^th	379	64.1%

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.

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
2024	187	0	2	4	0	1	6	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
2024	200	14.4	13.8	44.5

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

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
2024	200	14.4	13.8	44.5

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 (2024)				Ranking (2023)				MAP Mathematics (2024)					MAP Science (2024)		MAP English Language Arts (2024)					MAP Algebra I (2024)	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 (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	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	14	13.8	44.5%	187 (93.5%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.0%)	2 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	6 (3.0%)	65.7	130^th of 451 public middle schools	71.2%		80.7	61^st of 459 public middle schools	86.7%	69		46.3	48.6	44.3	32.6				41.0	40.9				$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	981	73	13.4	34.3%	827 (84.3%)	15 (1.5%)	63 (6.4%)	4 (0.4%)	6 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	65 (6.6%)	90.3	29^th of 451 public middle schools	93.6%		87.2	36^th of 459 public middle schools	92.2%	7				69.7	50.0		50.7				53.0	56.1	92.6	$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	525	35	15.1	34.5%	489 (93.1%)	5 (1.0%)	18 (3.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.3%)								(n/a)	51.3	51.6	65.6			58.5		52.2	57.9	44.9				$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	898	68	13.2	34.2%	778 (86.6%)	7 (0.8%)	48 (5.3%)	5 (0.6%)	4 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	56 (6.2%)								(n/a)		55.4	75.0			65.4			60.1	59.4				$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	376	25	15.2	31.6%	340 (90.4%)	2 (0.5%)	12 (3.2%)	6 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (4.3%)	81.4	59^th of 451 public middle schools	86.9%		77.9	71^st of 459 public middle schools	84.5%	12				57.0	48.8		50.5				35.6	58.5		$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	468	33	14.0	28.2%	382 (81.6%)	8 (1.7%)	31 (6.6%)	4 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (9.0%)								(n/a)		56.1	77.4			59.3			61.2	60.3				$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	1,073	67	16.0	25.3%	899 (83.8%)	11 (1.0%)	67 (6.2%)	12 (1.1%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	79 (7.4%)	93.4	17^th of 451 public middle schools	96.2%		93.6	15^th of 459 public middle schools	96.7%	2				75.9	61.0		52.6				59.3	56.4		$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	145	8	17.9	40.0%	133 (91.7%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (4.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (3.4%)	44.3	251^st of 451 public middle schools	44.3%		59.3	174^th of 459 public middle schools	62.1%	77			29.0	51.1						25.6		36.6		$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	746	47	15.8	27.5%	584 (78.3%)	32 (4.3%)	49 (6.6%)	36 (4.8%)	3 (0.4%)	5 (0.7%)	37 (5.0%)	92.2	26^th of 451 public middle schools	94.2%		91.4	23^rd of 459 public middle schools	95.0%	3			75.4	75.2	60.6		45.0			54.8	59.7	59.6		$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	389	32	12.2	26.0%	311 (79.9%)	3 (0.8%)	32 (8.2%)	10 (2.6%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (7.5%)								(n/a)		66.2	68.6			64.7			66.2	57.5				$9,365	$993	$8,371

Sparta Middle

Sparta Middle:

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Sparta R-III:

What do you think?

Rank History for Sparta Middle

Rank History for all students at Sparta Middle

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Sparta Middle

Rank History for White students at Sparta Middle

Enrollment information for Sparta Middle

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Sparta Middle

Student/Teacher Ratio Sparta Middle

Per Pupil Expenditures for Sparta Middle

Impact of COVID-19 on Sparta Middle

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Sparta Middle

Sparta Middle

Ozark Junior High

Logan-Rogersville Upper Elementary

Ozark Middle School

Logan-Rogersville Middle

Summit Intermediate School

Nixa Junior High

Fordland Middle

Cherokee Middle

Nicholas A. Inman Intermediate

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