My first was a Jean Paul Clarinet off Amazon for $189. It punches above it's weight class and is as playable as my Buffet Crampon E11. Definitely a musical instrument and not a Clarinet Shaped Object.
The keywork is solid, the ebonite may be plastic but it's heavy, solid feeling, and in the hands is not much different than my wood clarinet. I had to adjust 2 of the lower keys after 2 months of playing but that's the only issue I've had with it, and it was perfectly playable out of the box.
It's nothing like the $180 flute and $180 trumpet I bought. Far heavier, far better build quality.
The cheap ones are $75, and I'm definitely not buying that.
She's looking at this one, and her section leader thinks it will do alright. I have no idea, I played brass instruments for the short period I did band.
I know fuck all about clarinets, but this looks just the right amount of cheap-yet-usable for middle school.
Or get a used B12 if you can afford it.
https://www.amazon.com/Buffet-BC2540-5-0-B12-Student-Clarinet/dp/B0007YZCQQ/ref=sr_1_15?dchild=1