BODE MIDDLE

BODE MIDDLE is a mid-tier middle-grades school in ST JOSEPH, Missouri, part of ST. JOSEPH. The school serves 488 students in grades 7 through 8.

ST. JOSEPH runs 22 schools in total, collectively educating 10,430 students. BODE MIDDLE is one of those campuses.

Looking at the student body, BODE MIDDLE lists that 58% of the student body identifies as White; the rest looks like 14% Hispanic, 10% multiracial, 8% Black, 5% Pacific Islander. That is meaningfully less White than the county at large, where the share is closer to 81%.

Looking at the economic backdrop, On paper, BODE MIDDLE has 41 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 11.8:1. The state averages around 13.0:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical. An estimated 41% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy. By comparison, Buchanan County runs at roughly 69%, so the school's eligibility rate is somewhat below the surrounding baseline.

On a residual basis (actual vs predicted given the student mix), BODE MIDDLE sits in the middle band of the BeatsExpectations distribution. Schools with this campus's student mix typically land near 50.5%; this one delivers 52.3%.

Around the school, census data for Buchanan County shows the typical household earns roughly $62,158 per year, 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 10%. Across Buchanan County's 36 public schools (combined enrollment of about 11,825 students), BODE MIDDLE is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is EDISON ELEM., roughly 0.4 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools. Among the 8 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), BODE MIDDLE ranks 3rd on composite proficiency, higher than the local average of 47.6%.

Geographically, the school is in a downtown area.

Looking at the recent track record. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at BODE MIDDLE has shrank 5%, going from 513 students in 2018 to 488 in 2025. Over the same period, the White share ticked down from 68% to 58%. The student-to-teacher ratio pulled in from 13.4:1 in 2018 to 11.8:1 today.

On allk12, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around pickup logistics, teacher feedback, and after-school programs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.