Summary:
The city of Charleston, Missouri is home to three public schools - one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school - all part of the Charleston R-I school district. While the schools serve a population with significant economic challenges, with nearly all students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, the academic performance across the district is consistently below state averages on standardized tests.
None of the Charleston schools appear to be standouts, as all three institutions struggle with low proficiency rates in core subjects like mathematics and science. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the 7th grade mathematics proficiency rate at Charleston High School was just 22.7%, compared to the state average of 43.2%. Similarly, the 8th grade science proficiency rate at Charleston Middle School was 24.5%, well below the state's 42.2% average. Graduation rates and attendance also present challenges, with Charleston High School's four-year graduation rate of 87.2% and a chronic absenteeism rate of 25.6% across the district.
While the Charleston schools benefit from relatively low student-teacher ratios and higher per-student spending at the secondary level, these resources do not appear to be translating into improved academic outcomes. The district may need to closely examine its resource allocation and implement targeted interventions to address the systemic issues and improve student performance across Warren E. Hearnes Elementary, Charleston Middle School, and Charleston High School.
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