Best Missouri Public Schools (2026)

Missouri is the #13 largest school system in the United States, serving 891,639 students across the 2,474 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are , serving 120,038 students). 88% of all K-12 students in Missouri attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.

The percentage of students achieving in Missouri is 40%. The percentage of students achieving 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.

There are 122 Blue Ribbon Schools, 28 magnet schools, 82 charter schools, and 48 special education schools.

Minority enrollment is 32%, with the majority being Black and the student-teacher ratio is 13:1.

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="overview">Overview

This State (MO)

# Schools

2,474 Schools

# Students

891,639 Students

View Data

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Public School
Year	Missouri
2017	445
2016	455
2015	447
2014	453
2013	446
2012	453
2011	449
2010	450
2009	451
2008	450
2007	454
2006	449
2005	451
2004	451
2003	449
2002	448
2001	448
2000	451
1999	461
1998	457
1997	461
1996	463
1995	457
1994	444
1993	444
1992	445
1991	438
1990	434
1989	433
1988	439
1987	430

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Gender %

# Teachers

69,801 Teachers

View Data

Trends in the Average Number of Teachers Per Public School
Year	Missouri
2017	61
2016	60
2015	60
2014	59
2013	60
2012	60
2011	60
2010	59
2009	61
2008	58
2007	57
2006	58
2005	55
2004	58
2003	57
2002	56
2001	57
2000	55
1999	54
1998	55
1997	54
1996	54
1995	55
1994	53
1993	52
1992	51
1991	53
1990	50
1989	53
1988	52
1987	52

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Student-Teacher Ratio

13:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (1987-2023)
Year	Missouri
2023	13:1
2022	13:1
2021	13:1
2020	13:1
2019	13:1
2018	14:1
2017	13:1
2016	14:1
2015	14:1
2014	14:1
2013	14:1
2012	14:1
2011	14:1
2010	13:1
2009	13:1
2008	13:1
2007	15:1
2006	14:1
2005	14:1
2004	14:1
2003	14:1
2002	14:1
2001	14:1
2000	14:1
1999	15:1
1998	15:1
1997	15:1
1996	15:1
1995	15:1
1994	16:1
1993	16:1
1992	16:1
1991	16:1
1990	16:1
1989	16:1
1988	16:1
1987	17:1

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="student-by-grade">Student By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Missouri
Pre-K	35,679
Kind	61,767
1	62,780
2	65,110
3	63,746
4	64,813
5	64,811
6	65,222
7	65,734
8	66,933
9	70,722
10	70,442
11	68,734
12	65,146

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="state-rank">State Acdeamy

State Average (MO)

40%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	40%
2022	39%
2021	37%
2019	42%
2018	42%
2017	47%
2016	48%
2015	44%
2014	52%
2013	53%
2012	55%

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44%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	44%
2022	43%
2021	46%
2019	49%
2018	49%
2017	61%
2016	63%
2015	60%
2014	53%
2013	55%
2012	55%

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39%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	39%
2022	38%
2021	37%

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90%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	90%
2022	90%
2021	89%
2020	90%
2019	90%
2018	90%
2017	89%
2016	90%
2015	89%
2014	89%
2013	87%

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Eligible for

42%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	41%
2022	40%
2021	43%
2020	44%
2019	44%
2018	44%
2017	44%
2016	44%
2015	44%
2014	42%
2013	38%
2012	38%
2011	37%
2010	36%
2009	31%
2008	32%
2007	31%
2006	32%
2005	32%
2004	30%
2003	29%
2002	28%
2001	28%
2000	28%
1999	27%
1998	28%
1997	28%
1996	28%
1995	29%
1994	26%
1993	21%

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Eligible for

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	7%
2022	5%
2021	6%
2020	6%
2019	6%
2018	6%
2017	6%
2016	6%
2015	7%
2014	7%
2013	7%
2012	7%
2011	7%
2010	8%
2009	8%
2008	8%
2007	8%
2006	8%
2005	7%
2004	7%
2003	7%
2002	7%
2001	7%
2000	7%
1999	6%

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="students-by-ethnicity">Students by Ethnicity:

0.51

View Data

Diversity Score Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	0.50
2022	0.50
2021	0.48
2020	0.47
2019	0.47
2018	0.45
2017	0.45
2016	0.46
2015	0.44
2014	0.44
2013	0.42
2012	0.42
2011	0.41
2010	0.39
2009	0.39
2008	0.39
2007	0.39
2006	0.37
2005	0.38
2004	0.36
2003	0.36
2002	0.35
2001	0.35
2000	0.33
1999	0.32
1998	0.31
1997	0.31
1996	0.30
1995	0.30
1994	0.30
1993	0.29

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# American Indian Students

3,243 Students

% American Indian Students

n/a

# Asian Students

19,000 Students

% Asian Students

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	2%
2022	2%
2021	2%
2020	2%
2019	2%
2018	2%
2017	2%
2016	3%
2015	2%
2014	3%
2013	2%
2012	2%
2011	2%
2010	2%
2009	2%
2008	2%
2007	3%
2006	2%
2005	2%
2004	1%
2003	2%
2002	1%
2001	2%
2000	1%
1999	1%
1998	1%
1997	1%
1996	1%
1995	1%
1994	1%
1993	1%

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# Hispanic Students

74,760 Students

% Hispanic Students

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	8%
2022	8%
2021	7%
2020	7%
2019	7%
2018	6%
2017	6%
2016	6%
2015	6%
2014	6%
2013	5%
2012	5%
2011	5%
2010	4%
2009	4%
2008	4%
2007	3%
2006	3%
2005	3%
2004	3%
2003	2%
2002	2%
2001	2%
2000	2%
1999	1%
1998	1%
1997	1%
1996	1%
1995	1%
1994	1%
1993	1%

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# Black Students

136,369 Students

% Black Students

15%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	15%
2022	15%
2021	15%
2020	16%
2019	16%
2018	16%
2017	16%
2016	16%
2015	16%
2014	16%
2013	17%
2012	17%
2011	17%
2010	18%
2009	18%
2008	18%
2007	18%
2006	18%
2005	18%
2004	18%
2003	18%
2002	18%
2001	17%
2000	17%
1999	17%
1998	17%
1997	17%
1996	16%
1995	16%
1994	16%
1993	15%

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# White Students

605,754 Students

% White Students

68%

View Data

White Student Percentage Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	69%
2022	69%
2021	70%
2020	71%
2019	71%
2018	72%
2017	72%
2016	72%
2015	73%
2014	73%
2013	74%
2012	74%
2011	75%
2010	76%
2009	76%
2008	76%
2007	76%
2006	77%
2005	77%
2004	78%
2003	78%
2002	79%
2001	79%
2000	80%
1999	81%
1998	81%
1997	81%
1996	82%
1995	82%
1994	82%
1993	83%

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# Hawaiian Students

3,719 Students

% Hawaiian Students

# Two or more races Students

48,794 Students

% of Two or more races Students

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	6%
2022	5%
2021	5%
2020	4%
2019	4%
2018	4%
2017	4%
2016	3%
2015	3%
2014	2%
2013	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

<�鶹��ý class="so-dt-title" id="state-revenue-and-spending">State Revenue and Spending

This State (MO)

Total Revenue

$13,447 MM

View Data

Median Total Revenues Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	$7 MM
2022	$6 MM
2021	$7 MM
2020	$6 MM
2019	$6 MM
2018	$6 MM
2017	$6 MM
2016	$6 MM
2015	$6 MM
2014	$6 MM
2012	$6 MM
2011	$6 MM
2010	$6 MM
2009	$5 MM
2008	$5 MM
2007	$5 MM
2006	$5 MM
2005	$5 MM
2004	$5 MM
2003	$5 MM
2002	$4 MM
2001	$4 MM
2000	$4 MM
1999	$4 MM
1998	$4 MM
1997	$3 MM
1996	$3 MM
1995	$3 MM

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Spending

$12,401 MM

View Data

Median Total Expenditures Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	$6 MM
2022	$7 MM
2021	$6 MM
2020	$7 MM
2019	$6 MM
2018	$6 MM
2017	$6 MM
2016	$6 MM
2015	$6 MM
2014	$6 MM
2012	$5 MM
2011	$6 MM
2010	$6 MM
2009	$6 MM
2008	$6 MM
2007	$5 MM
2006	$5 MM
2005	$5 MM
2004	$5 MM
2003	$5 MM
2002	$5 MM
2001	$4 MM
2000	$4 MM
1999	$4 MM
1998	$4 MM
1997	$3 MM
1996	$3 MM
1995	$3 MM

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Revenue / Student

$15,081

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	$12,828
2022	$10,721
2021	$13,574
2020	$10,721
2019	$11,328
2018	$11,298
2017	$11,359
2016	$10,788
2015	$9,469
2014	$9,927
2012	$9,889
2011	$9,681
2010	$9,469
2009	$8,810
2008	$8,648
2007	$8,379
2006	$8,290
2005	$7,623
2004	$7,592
2003	$7,245
2002	$6,806
2001	$7,002
2000	$6,217
1999	$5,811
1998	$5,726
1997	$5,500
1995	$4,709
1992	$3,754

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Spending / Student

$13,908

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Missouri
2023	$11,362
2022	$11,595
2021	$12,023
2020	$11,595
2019	$11,339
2018	$10,855
2017	$11,263
2016	$10,861
2015	$9,562
2014	$9,640
2012	$9,313
2011	$9,303
2010	$9,562
2009	$8,968
2008	$9,268
2007	$8,911
2006	$8,142
2005	$7,369
2004	$7,250
2003	$7,305
2002	$7,131
2001	$6,892
2000	$6,240
1999	$5,803
1998	$5,573
1997	$5,302
1995	$4,594
1992	$3,754

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<�鶹��ý class="list-title center">Best Missouri Public Schools by County (2026)

County

# Schools

# Students

% Minority

Adair County

2,893

16%

Andrew County

2,630

Atchison County

848

Audrain County

3,298

23%

Barry County

6,830

31%

Barton County

1,588

11%

Bates County

2,788

10%

Benton County

2,801

Bollinger County

1,759

Boone County

24,691

38%

Buchanan County

12,141

32%

Butler County

6,668

20%

Caldwell County

1,469

Callaway County

5,394

17%

Camden County

6,405

12%

Cape Girardeau County

10,990

27%

Carroll County

1,299

Carter County

1,179

Cass County

16,127

26%

Cedar County

2,147

Chariton County

1,040

Christian County

15,875

13%

Clark County

1,103

Clay County

42,284

35%

Clinton County

3,819

10%

Cole County

10,518

32%

Cooper County

2,406

16%

3,017

1,049

2,433

1,087

1,065

2,231

1,470

4,909

36%

15,022

2,564

1,169

40,038

24%

1,354

1,300

4,026

933

690

1,364

11%

Howell County

6,643

Iron County

1,703

Jackson County

238

105,814

59%

Jasper County

22,160

30%

Jefferson County

34,841

13%

Johnson County

7,866

20%

Knox County

460

Laclede County

5,985

10%

Lafayette County

5,148

13%

Lawrence County

5,799

15%

Lewis County

1,427

Lincoln County

9,806

10%

Linn County

2,075

Livingston County

2,022

11%

2,048

1,932

866

4,792

14%

Mcdonald County

3,610

39%

Mercer County

487

Miller County

3,146

Mississippi County

1,803

35%

Moniteau County

2,287

13%

Monroe County

1,517

11%

Montgomery County

1,371

Morgan County

2,195

New Madrid County

2,349

30%

Newton County

8,885

29%

2,410

1,771

1,533

1,501

2,816

47%

Perry County

2,077

12%

Pettis County

6,698

29%

Phelps County

6,339

14%

Pike County

2,496

15%

Platte County

17,121

33%

Polk County

4,308

Pulaski County

9,331

32%

Putnam County

621

Ralls County

838

Randolph County

3,421

16%

3,204

868

2,177

3,446

37%

Schuyler County

589

Scotland County

519

Scott County

6,412

29%

Shannon County

693

Shelby County

960

St. Charles County

59,626

25%

St. Clair County

813

St. Francois County

10,236

St. Louis County

274

137,247

52%

St. Louis City

108

29,577

85%

Ste. Genevieve County

1,868

Stoddard County

4,883

Stone County

3,495

10%

Sullivan County

1,046

35%

Taney County

7,898

23%

Texas County

3,864

Vernon County

2,962

10%

Warren County

4,698

18%

3,356

1,554

7,048

274

3,297

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id='faq'>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?

2,474 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 32%, with the majority being Black.

Which public schools in Missouri are often viewed compared to one another?

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