For the 2025 school year, there are 29 public schools serving 10,518 students in Cole County, MO (there are 16 private schools, serving 3,541 private students). 75% of all K-12 students in Cole County, MO are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in Cole County, MO are Blair Oaks Elementary School, Blair Oaks Intermediate and Blair Oaks High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cole County, MO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Missouri public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 43% statewide average). Schools in Cole County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Missouri public schools.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the Missouri public school average of 32% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Cole County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Blair Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
6124 Falcon Ln
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 634-2808
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 634-2808
Grades: PK-2
| 236 students
Rank: #22.
Blair Oaks Intermediate
(Math: 71% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
6124 Falcon Lane
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 635-6864
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 635-6864
Grades: 3-5
| 231 students
Rank: #33.
Blair Oaks High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6124 Falcon Ln
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 635-8514
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 635-8514
Grades: 9-12
| 438 students
Rank: #44.
Blair Oaks Middle School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6124 Falcon Ln
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 634-2053
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 634-2053
Grades: 6-8
| 275 students
Rank: #55.
Cole Co. R-i Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
13111 Park St
Russellville, MO 65074
(573) 782-4814
Russellville, MO 65074
(573) 782-4814
Grades: PK-6
| 327 students
Rank: #66.
Jefferson City High School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
609 Union
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3050
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3050
Grades: 9-12
| 1,373 students
Rank: #77.
Clarence Lawson Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1105 Fairgrounds Rd
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3175
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3175
Grades: K-5
| 442 students
Rank: #88.
Capital City High School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1650 Cavalier Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3286
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3286
Grades: 9-12
| 1,317 students
Rank: #99.
Belair Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
701 Belair
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3155
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3155
Grades: K-5
| 362 students
Rank: #1010.
Eugene High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
14803 Hwy 17
Eugene, MO 65032
(573) 498-4001
Eugene, MO 65032
(573) 498-4001
Grades: 7-12
| 265 students
Rank: #1111.
Cole Co. R-i Middle School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
13111 Park St
Russellville, MO 65074
(573) 782-4915
Russellville, MO 65074
(573) 782-4915
Grades: 6-8
| 133 students
Rank: #1212.
Pioneer Trail Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
301 Pioneer Trail
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 632-3400
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 632-3400
Grades: K-5
| 448 students
Rank: #1313.
Cedar Hill Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1510 Vieth
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3160
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3160
Grades: K-5
| 326 students
Rank: #1414.
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1201 Fairgrounds Rd
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3250
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3250
Grades: 6-8
| 889 students
Rank: #1515.
Russellville High School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
13600 Rte C
Russellville, MO 65074
(573) 782-3973
Russellville, MO 65074
(573) 782-3973
Grades: 7-12
| 295 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Eugene Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
14803 Hwy 17
Eugene, MO 65032
(573) 498-4002
Eugene, MO 65032
(573) 498-4002
Grades: PK-6
| 346 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
West Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
100 Dix Rd
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3195
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3195
Grades: K-5
| 339 students
Rank: #1818.
Lewis And Clark Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
325 Lewis And Clark Dr
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3200
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3200
Grades: 6-8
| 962 students
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
East Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1229 E Mccarty
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3165
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3165
Grades: K-5
| 298 students
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
South Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
707 Linden Dr
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3185
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3185
Grades: K-5
| 321 students
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Moreau Heights Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1410 Hough Park
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3180
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3180
Grades: K-5
| 298 students
Rank: #21 - 2221. - 22.
Thorpe J. Gordon Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1101 Jackson
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3170
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3170
Grades: K-5
| 297 students
Rank: #2323.
H Kenneth Kirchner School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1403 Riverside Dr
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-7142
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-7142
Grades: K-12
| 17 students
Rank: n/an/a
Algoa Correctional Center
Alternative School
8501 No More Victims Rd.
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-3911
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-3911
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Mocap Elem.school
Alternative School
205 Jefferson Street
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(573) 751-2453
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(573) 751-2453
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Mocap High School
Alternative School
205 Jefferson St
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(573) 751-2453
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(573) 751-2453
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Nichols Career Center
Vocational School
605 Union
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3100
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3100
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Prenger Family Center
Alternative School
400 Stadium Blvd
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 636-5177
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 636-5177
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
812 St Mary's Blvd
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3190
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3190
Grades: PK
| 283 students
Cole County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
H Kenneth Kirchner (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1403 Riverside Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-7142
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-7142
Grades: Inquire with school
| 27 students
501 East Miller St
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3125
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3125
Grades: 9
| 685 students
812 St Marys Blvd
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3190
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3190
Grades: K-5
| 274 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Cole County, MO?
The top ranked public schools in Cole County, MO include Blair Oaks Elementary School, Blair Oaks Intermediate and Blair Oaks High School.
How many public schools are located in Cole County?
29 public schools are located in Cole County.
What percentage of students in Cole County go to public school?
75% of all K-12 students in Cole County are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cole County?
Cole County public schools minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the Missouri public schools average of 32% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Cole County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Cole County include: Jefferson City High School vs. Blair Oaks High School, Eugene High School vs. Blair Oaks High School, Blair Oaks High School vs. Jefferson City High School
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