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John Nowlin Elementary

Q: Is John Nowlin Elementary a good school?

John Nowlin Elementary ranks 186 th of 900 Missouri elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

186^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 900 Missouri Elementary Schools

Better than 79% of Missouri elementary schools

Summary

John Nowlin Elementary is a public elementary school in Blue Springs, Missouri, serving 462 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Blue Springs R-IV School District, which is ranked 30th out of 367 districts in the state and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

John Nowlin Elementary has consistently performed well, ranking in the top 25% of Missouri elementary schools over the past 10 years. The school's academic performance on state assessments is generally above the state and district averages, particularly in mathematics, where 65.6% of 3rd graders, 68.4% of 4th graders, and 41.2% of 5th graders scored proficient or better in 2024-2025, compared to the state averages of 41.4%, 43.8%, and 38.2%, respectively. The school also excels in English Language Arts, with 63.9% of 3rd graders, 65.2% of 4th graders, and 52.4% of 5th graders scoring proficient or better in 2024-2025, compared to the state averages of 41.8%, 44.8%, and 44.3%.

While John Nowlin Elementary performs well compared to other schools in the Blue Springs R-IV district, it lags behind the top-performing schools in the district, such as Franklin Smith Elementary, Voy Spears Junior Elementary, and James Walker Elementary, particularly in mathematics and science for upper-grade students. The school also faces challenges in supporting its special education and low socioeconomic status student populations, as well as addressing fluctuating chronic absenteeism rates, which may impact student learning and academic achievement.

460

Students ?

13.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,676

Per pupil spending ?

38%

Free/discounted lunch ?

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

(816) 874-3670

District: Blue Springs R-IV

Students who attend John Nowlin Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Paul Kinder Middle School
High:	Blue Springs High

Racial breakdown:

White:

58.9%

African American:

15.2%

Two or more races:

12.2%

See top rated Missouri elementary schools

Compare John Nowlin Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 71st percentile in 2023 → 79th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Missouri average (56% vs 42% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 21% of Missouri elementary schools

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 79th (2025) from a 71st-percentile low (2023)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school56%

District avg62%

Missouri avg42%

186^th of 900

Missouri public elementary schools ?

Top 21%▼ down 15 pts since 2015

From top 6% (2015) to top 21% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Missouri Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

9^th of 13Elementary Schools in the Blue Springs R-IV

30^th of 367Blue Springs R-IV among Missouri districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Missouri percentile	Rating
2025	77.4	186 of 900	79.3%	★★★★☆
2024	73.8	206 of 906	77.3%	★★★★☆
2023	69.1	257 of 898	71.4%	★★★★☆
2022	70.1	238 of 908	73.8%	★★★★☆
2021	75.0	191 of 901	78.8%	★★★★☆
2019	81.2	139 of 1052	86.8%	★★★★☆
2018	87.2	89 of 1045	91.5%	★★★★★
2017	84.4	113 of 1032	89.1%	★★★★☆
2016	83.6	119 of 865	86.2%	★★★★☆
2015	89.3	64 of 1058	94.0%	★★★★★
2014	85.7	100 of 1089	90.8%	★★★★★
2013	75.9	197 of 1108	82.2%	★★★★☆
2012	80.2	138 of 1085	87.3%	★★★★☆
2011	84.6	89 of 1088	91.8%	★★★★★
2010	72.5	242 of 1066	77.3%	★★★★☆
2009	67.8	285 of 1053	72.9%	★★★★☆
2008	69.6	253 of 1084	76.7%	★★★★☆
2007	76.2	163 of 1080	84.9%	★★★★☆
2006	81.4	116 of 1074	89.2%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Missouri percentile	Rating
2022	64.7	24 of 103	76.7%	★★★★☆
2019	66.3	88 of 302	70.9%	★★★★☆
2018	74.3	51 of 251	79.7%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Missouri percentile	Rating
2025	82.5	65 of 638	89.8%	★★★★☆
2023	63.5	156 of 611	74.5%	★★★★☆
2019	85.7	52 of 907	94.3%	★★★★★
2018	89.4	31 of 887	96.5%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Missouri percentile	Rating
2025	25.3	82 of 97	15.5%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Missouri percentile	Rating
2025	67.6	210 of 666	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	64.8	214 of 668	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	63.1	227 of 673	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	56.5	274 of 675	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	72.5	166 of 691	76.0%	★★★★☆
2019	78.6	146 of 917	84.1%	★★★★☆
2018	84.2	100 of 898	88.9%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)90th percentile+10 vs school

Disabled (2022)77th percentile+3 vs school

White (2025)68th percentile-11 vs school

Special Education (2025)15th percentile-64 vs school

By subject vs Missouri (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts60%+16 vs state

Mathematics58%+16 vs state

Science42%~ state avg

5.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, January 26, 2017

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

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

Schools Near John Nowlin Elementary

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				MAP Mathematics (2025)			MAP Science (2025)	MAP English Language Arts (2025)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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 (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MAP Mathematics 3rd Grade	MAP Mathematics 4th Grade	MAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MAP Science 5th Grade	MAP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	MAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	MAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
John Nowlin Elementary	Public	K-5	5020 NW Valley View Rd	Blue Springs	64015	Jackson County	Blue Springs R-IV	No	No	No	Yes	(816) 874-3670	460	34	13.7	38.0%	271 (58.9%)	70 (15.2%)	55 (12.0%)	8 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	56 (12.2%)	77.4	186^th of 900 public elementary schools	79.3%		73.8	206^th of 906 public elementary schools	77.3%	20	65.6	68.4	41.2	42.4	63.9	65.2	52.4	$13,676	$405	$13,271
Sunny Pointe Elementary	Public	K-5	3920 South R D Mize Rd	Blue Springs	64015	Jackson County	Blue Springs R-IV	No	No	No	Yes	(816) 874-3700	506	38	13.3	35.6%	346 (68.4%)	58 (11.5%)	62 (12.3%)	7 (1.4%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	30 (5.9%)	73.2	217^th of 900 public elementary schools	75.9%		71.8	235^th of 906 public elementary schools	74.1%	18	42.4	51.8	58.2	63.0	47.0	49.3	59.4	$14,127	$576	$13,551
Thomas J. Ultican Elementary	Public	K-5	1812 NW Vesper	Blue Springs	64015	Jackson County	Blue Springs R-IV	No	No	No	Yes	(816) 874-3710	419	30	14.0	45.8%	281 (67.1%)	43 (10.3%)	52 (12.4%)	2 (0.5%)	6 (1.4%)	2 (0.5%)	33 (7.9%)	52.6	430^th of 900 public elementary schools	52.2%		56.9	380^th of 906 public elementary schools	58.1%	50	44.5	34.7	41.4	41.3	49.9	38.9	41.4	$13,994	$414	$13,580
Franklin Smith Elementary	Public	K-5	1609 Clark Rd	Blue Springs	64015	Jackson County	Blue Springs R-IV	No	No	No	Yes	(816) 874-3640	401	33	12.1	41.6%	247 (61.6%)	58 (14.5%)	45 (11.2%)	7 (1.7%)	4 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	39 (9.7%)	88.8	81^st of 900 public elementary schools	91.0%		76.7	180^th of 906 public elementary schools	80.1%	99	73.3	80.5	52.9	51.7	63.9	85.8		$15,219	$705	$14,514
Voy Spears Junior Elementary	Public	K-5	201 NE Anderson	Lees Summit	64064	Jackson County	Blue Springs R-IV	No	No	No	No	(816) 874-3720	546	35	15.4	13.7%	391 (71.6%)	59 (10.8%)	46 (8.4%)	12 (2.2%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	35 (6.4%)	97.6	9^th of 900 public elementary schools	99.0%		97.2	9^th of 906 public elementary schools	99.0%		79.7	83.4	80.0	77.8	71.0	81.3		$14,182	$396	$13,786
James Lewis Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	717 NW Park Rd	Blue Springs	64015	Jackson County	Blue Springs R-IV	No	No	No	No	(816) 874-3650	473	37	12.7	29.8%	335 (70.8%)	44 (9.3%)	61 (12.9%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	29 (6.1%)	91.5	56^th of 900 public elementary schools	93.8%		70.8	247^th of 906 public elementary schools	72.7%	191	76.0	61.7	60.1	70.9	61.1		70.9	$14,345	$526	$13,819
William Yates Elementary	Public	K-5	3600 Davidson Rd	Independence	64055	Jackson County	Blue Springs R-IV	No	No	No	Yes	(816) 874-3740	463	34	13.6	49.5%	197 (42.5%)	85 (18.4%)	104 (22.5%)	8 (1.7%)	5 (1.1%)	14 (3.0%)	50 (10.8%)	92.6	46^th of 900 public elementary schools	94.9%		94.5	28^th of 906 public elementary schools	96.9%	18	75.2	77.6	68.5	61.4	72.6	67.9	60.4	$14,186	$782	$13,404
Lucy Franklin Elementary	Public	K-5	111 NE Roanoke Dr	Blue Springs	64014	Jackson County	Blue Springs R-IV	No	No	No	No	(816) 874-3690	536	36	14.8	19.6%	395 (73.7%)	30 (5.6%)	69 (12.9%)	4 (0.7%)	3 (0.6%)	5 (0.9%)	30 (5.6%)	90	73^rd of 900 public elementary schools	91.9%		88.5	69^th of 906 public elementary schools	92.4%	4	69.6	65.8	58.0	69.5	65.1	63.7	63.3	$12,911	$397	$12,513
James Walker Elementary	Public	K-5	201 SE Sunnyside School Rd	Blue Springs	64014	Jackson County	Blue Springs R-IV	No	No	No	Yes	(816) 874-3660	456	32	14.2	49.8%	263 (57.7%)	79 (17.3%)	70 (15.4%)	7 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	35 (7.7%)	96.6	14^th of 900 public elementary schools	98.4%		96.4	14^th of 906 public elementary schools	98.5%		81.7	85.0	67.2	74.4		78.4	73.1	$12,493	$401	$12,092
Little Blue Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2020 Quail Drive	Independence	64057	Jackson County	Independence 30	No	No	No	Yes	(816) 521-5480	263	24	10.9	52.1%	157 (59.7%)	44 (16.7%)	29 (11.0%)	6 (2.3%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.8%)	24 (9.1%)	38.8	583^rd of 900 public elementary schools	35.2%		41.3	549^th of 906 public elementary schools	39.4%	34	32.6	33.2	23.0		39.9		41.5	$16,630	$4,025	$12,605

Frequently Asked Questions about John Nowlin Elementary

How many students attend John Nowlin Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 460 students attended John Nowlin Elementary.

What district is John Nowlin Elementary in?

Blue Springs R-IV

What schools do graduates of John Nowlin Elementary attend?

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

Middle : Paul Kinder Middle School
High : Blue Springs High

Is John Nowlin Elementary a good school?

John Nowlin Elementary ranks 186^th of 900 Missouri elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of John Nowlin Elementary?

Students at John Nowlin Elementary are 59% White, 15% African American, 12% Two or more races, 12% Hispanic, 2% Asian.

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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.