Summary:
The 63701 zip code area of Cape Girardeau, Missouri is home to two middle schools: Central Middle and Central Junior High, both part of the Cape Girardeau 63 school district. These schools serve a high-poverty student population, with 100% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, and face significant challenges in academic performance and chronic absenteeism.
Central Middle School serves grades 5-6 with 610 students and has relatively low test scores compared to state averages, with proficiency rates ranging from 19.9% to 41.4% across different subjects and grade levels. The school also has a high chronic absenteeism rate of 17.7%. In contrast, Central Junior High School, which serves grades 7-8 with 598 students, has even lower test scores, with proficiency rates ranging from 21.9% to 35.1%, and a chronic absenteeism rate matching Central Middle at 17.7%. Despite Central Junior High spending more per student ($11,193) than Central Middle ($10,299), its state-wide ranking is lower, with a 1-star rating in 2024-2025 and a 2-star rating in the previous two years.
The consistently low academic performance and high chronic absenteeism rates at both schools suggest significant challenges that need to be addressed. Identifying and addressing the root causes of these issues, such as access to resources, teacher quality, and family support, could present opportunities for improvement and better outcomes for the students in this area.
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