Missouri is the #14 largest school system in the United States, serving 884,634 students across the 2,455 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 664 private schools, serving 119,656 students). 88% of all K-12 students in Missouri attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Missouri is 41%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 43%.
The top-ranked public schools in Missouri are Mallinckrodt A.b.i. Elementary School, Betty Wheeler Classical Jr. Ac, and Lincoln Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 33%, with the majority being Black and the student-teacher ratio is 13:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Missouri (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Mallinckrodt A.b.i. Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
6020 Pernod Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63139
(314) 352-9212
Saint Louis, MO 63139
(314) 352-9212
Rank: #22.
Betty Wheeler Classical Jr. Ac
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
5031 Potomac
Saint Louis, MO 63139
(314) 353-8875
Saint Louis, MO 63139
(314) 353-8875
Rank: #33.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
625 S 6th St
Saint Charles, MO 63301
(636) 443-4650
Saint Charles, MO 63301
(636) 443-4650
Rank: #44.
Mound City Elementary School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-4
708 Nebraska St
Mound City, MO 64470
(660) 442-5420
Mound City, MO 64470
(660) 442-5420
Rank: #55.
Metro High School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
4015 Mcpherson Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63108
(314) 534-3894
Saint Louis, MO 63108
(314) 534-3894
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Epic Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
650 Conistor Lane
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5730
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5730
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Richland Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
24456 State Hwy 114
Essex, MO 63846
(573) 283-5310
Essex, MO 63846
(573) 283-5310
Rank: #88.
Conway Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
9900 Conway Rd
Saint Louis, MO 63124
(314) 993-2878
Saint Louis, MO 63124
(314) 993-2878
Rank: #99.
Meramec Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
400 S Meramec Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63105
(314) 854-6300
Saint Louis, MO 63105
(314) 854-6300
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Nixa High School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 77% (Top 1%)
Reading: 76% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
514 South Nicholas Road
Nixa, MO 65714
(417) 724-3500
Nixa, MO 65714
(417) 724-3500
Overview
This State (MO)
US
# Schools
2,455 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
884,634 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
# Teachers
70,174 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (MO)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
43%
Graduation Rate
89.3%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
43%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.52
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
3,106 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
19,128 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
2%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
79,303 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
9%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
135,961 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
15%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
592,171 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
67%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
3,656 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
n/a
# Two or more races Students
51,282 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (MO)
Statewide Total Revenue
$15,255 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$14,732 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$17,244
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$16,653
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Missouri Public Schools by County (2026-27)
Popular neighborhoods: East Side (15 schools), South Kansas City (13 schools), Carr Square (6 schools), Central West End (6 schools), Old Hyde Park (5 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Missouri?
The top-ranked public schools in Missouri include Mallinckrodt A.b.i. Elementary School, Betty Wheeler Classical Jr. Ac, and Lincoln Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Missouri?
2,455 public schools are located in Missouri.
What percentage of students in Missouri go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Missouri attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Missouri?
Minority enrollment in Missouri is 33%, with the majority being Black.
Which public schools in Missouri are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Missouri include: Stockton High School vs. El Dorado Springs High School, Canton High School vs. Highland Jr.-sr. High School, Juvenile Justice Center vs. Liberty Academy
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