Serving 192 students in grades Kindergarten-5, West Central Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Missouri for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math was 25-29% (which was lower than the Missouri state average of 39%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts was 20-24% (which was lower than the Missouri state average of 43%).
The student-teacher ratio of 13:1 was higher than the Missouri state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment was 26% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which was lower than the Missouri state average of 33% (majority Black).
School Overview
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
192 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
15 teachers
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
School Rankings
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)25-29%
39%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
43%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
21-39%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
12:1
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
3%
n/a
Hispanic
10%
9%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Black
2%
15%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
White
74%
67%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Hawaiian
1%
1%
Two or more races
10%
6%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(21-22)18.2%
20.9%
Eligible for Free Lunch
71%
43%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
7%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MO Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
25-29% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 39% MO state average), while 20-24% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 43% MO state average).
How many students attend West Central Elementary School?
192 students attend West Central Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
74% of West Central Elementary School students are White, 10% of students are Hispanic, 10% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are American Indian, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of West Central Elementary School?
West Central Elementary School has a student ration of 13:1, which is higher than the Missouri state average of 12:1.
What grades does West Central Elementary School offer ?
West Central Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is West Central Elementary School part of?
West Central Elementary School is part of Joplin Schools.
Recent Articles
When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs
Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.
Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House
Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.
School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know
Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.
