For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public middle schools serving 8,533 students in Clay County, MO.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Clay County, MO are Kearney Jr. High School, Kearney Middle School and New Mark Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Clay County, MO public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the Missouri public middle school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 40% statewide average). Middle schools in Clay County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Missouri public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Missouri public middle school average of 32% (majority Black).
Best Public Middle Schools in Clay County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Kearney Jr. High School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2215 S Campus St
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-2650
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-2650
Gr: 8-9 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Kearney Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
200 E 5th St
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-4115
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-4115
Gr: 6-7 | 591 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
New Mark Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
515 Ne 106th St
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 321-5290
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 321-5290
Gr: 7-8 | 965 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #44.
Discovery Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
800 Midjay Drive
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-7300
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-7300
Gr: 6-8 | 678 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Missouri City Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
700 E Main
Missouri City, MO 64072
(816) 750-4391
Missouri City, MO 64072
(816) 750-4391
Gr: K-8 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Smithville Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
675 S Commercial Ave
Smithville, MO 64089
(816) 532-1122
Smithville, MO 64089
(816) 532-1122
Gr: 7-8 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #77.
Heritage Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
600 W Kansas
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5380
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5380
Gr: 6-8 | 757 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #88.
South Valley Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1000 Midjay Dr
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-7180
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-7180
Gr: 6-8 | 809 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #99.
Liberty Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1500 S Withers
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5410
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5410
Gr: 6-8 | 609 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1010.
Antioch Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2100 Ne 65th St
Kansas City, MO 64118
(816) 321-5260
Kansas City, MO 64118
(816) 321-5260
Gr: 7-8 | 886 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1111.
Northgate Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2117 Ne 48th St
Kansas City, MO 64118
(816) 321-5300
Kansas City, MO 64118
(816) 321-5300
Gr: 7-8 | 689 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1212.
Excelsior Springs Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
701 Crown Hill Rd
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
(816) 630-9230
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
(816) 630-9230
Gr: 6-8 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1313.
Maple Park Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5300 N Bennington
Kansas City, MO 64119
(816) 321-5280
Kansas City, MO 64119
(816) 321-5280
Gr: 7-8 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1414.
Maple Valley School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2575 Ne Barry Rd
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 437-3711
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 437-3711
Gr: K-12 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: n/an/a
Center For Educ. Development
Alternative School
2000 Ne 46th St
Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 413-5000
Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 413-5000
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Juvenile Justice Center
Alternative School
8 Victory Lane
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5300
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5300
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
4901 Ne Barry Rd
Kansas City, MO 64156
(816) 734-2120
Kansas City, MO 64156
(816) 734-2120
Gr: 6-12 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: n/an/a
9400 N Platte Purchase Dr
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 436-1433
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 436-1433
Gr: 6-8 | 368 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Clay County, MO?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Clay County, MO include Kearney Jr. High School, Kearney Middle School and New Mark Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Clay County?
19 public middle schools are located in Clay County.
What is the racial composition of students in Clay County?
Clay County public middle schools minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Missouri public middle schools average of 32% (majority Black).
Which public middle schools in Clay County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Clay County include: Discovery Middle School vs. South Valley Middle School, South Valley Middle School vs. Discovery Middle School, Smithville Middle School vs. Kearney Jr. High School
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