- Enrollment
- 2,288
- Students per teacher
- 19.1:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
Middle school (grades 6-8) · Joplin, MO
South Middle
Federal NCES profile for South Middle, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 39/100.
2024-25 NCES dataMiddle school (grades 6-8)NCES 291635002429
👥 S:T ratio 43
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 0
📋 Attendance 43
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Middle earns 39/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 72% of Missouri schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Missouri schools.
- #2 of 3
- middle schools in Joplin · Resource Index
- 39
- Resource Index · Typical
- 14.2:1
- large classes for Missouri
- 37.3%
- free-lunch eligible
South Middle has class sizes larger than 72% of Missouri schools. Computed live against every Missouri school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Middle ranks #2 of 3 middle schools in Joplin, MO.
School address
District: Joplin Schools · Missouri
NCES ID 291635002429 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+2 students YoY
South Middle held near 575 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+2 headcount).
Teacher FTE held 42.0 → 42.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+2 students YoY 291635002429 · Joplin, MO Middle · MID · TRAD
596 enr · 14.2:1 · 37.3% lunch · RII 39
Nearest enrollment peer: Joplin High (2,288 students)
South Middle held near 575 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+2 headcount). Teacher FTE held 42.0 → 42.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Missouri schools → · Find another →
South Middle in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Joplin High
Joplin High
2,288 students
- This school 596
South Middle
596 students
- East Middle 592
East Middle
592 students
- North Middle 549
North Middle
549 students
- Cecil Floyd El 532
Cecil Floyd Elem.
532 students
- Irving Element 434
Irving Elementary
434 students
What this shows South Middle reports 596 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Middle compares
South Middle held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Missouri and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Missouri | Missouri avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 14.2:1 | ▲ 11% | 12.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 37.3% | ▼ 19% | 46.1% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 596 | top 15% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
14.2:1
Leaner classes than 55% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
596
Bigger than 72% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
37.3%
free-lunch eligible
- 19% below the Missouri average of 46.1%
Below the 40% Title I threshold; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
14.2:1
students per teacher
- 11% above state mean
Top 72% in Missouri - lower ratio than 28% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
22.7%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$10,792
per pupil, district-wide
- below Missouri avg of $14,087
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 596 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
82
in-school suspensions + 78 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 13.8 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 26.8 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 67.4%
Two or More 12.4%
Hispanic or Latino 8.9%
African American 5.5%
Asian 2.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 2.0%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1.5%
Largest group: White at 67.4% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 51.8/100
Simpson diversity index - at 51.8, South Middle is more mixed than the Missouri school average of 31.0.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Joplin Schools reports $10,792 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South Middle Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joplin High | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| East Middle | Similar size | Higher economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| North Middle | Similar size | Higher economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Cecil Floyd Elem. | Similar size | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Irving Elementary | Smaller | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Middle's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 592
- Students per teacher
- 13.8:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 549
- Students per teacher
- 12.8:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
- Enrollment
- 532
- Students per teacher
- 12.4:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
- Enrollment
- 434
- Students per teacher
- 10.1:1
- Resource Index
- 49/100
Nationwide middle schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~596 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Middle
How many students attend South Middle?
South Middle has 596 students enrolled. It is a middle school in Joplin, MO. CCD year-over-year: 573 (2022-23) → 575 (2023-24), nearly flat (+2).
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at South Middle is 14.2:1, which is 11% higher than the Missouri average of 12.8:1 and 10% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Middle?
37.3% of students at South Middle are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Missouri average of 46.1%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Middle?
The largest demographic group at South Middle is White at 67.4% of enrollment, in Joplin, MO. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 51.8/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Middle?
South Middle has a Resource Investment Index of 39/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does South Middle rank among middle schools in Joplin?
By Resource Investment Index, South Middle ranks #2 of 3 middle schools in Joplin, MO. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all middle schools in Joplin on the city page.
What other schools are in Joplin Schools?
Besides South Middle, Joplin Schools also operates Joplin High (2,288 students), East Middle (592 students), and North Middle (549 students). See the Joplin Schools district page for the complete list.