For the 2025-26 school year, there are 20 public schools serving 6,698 students in Pettis County, MO (there are 5 private schools, serving 476 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Pettis County, MO are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in Pettis County, MO are Northwest High School, Washington Elementary School and Green Ridge Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pettis County, MO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the Missouri public school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 43% statewide average). Schools in Pettis County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Missouri public schools.
Minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Missouri public school average of 32% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Pettis County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Northwest High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
16215 Hwy H
Hughesville, MO 65334
(660) 827-0774
Hughesville, MO 65334
(660) 827-0774
Gr: 7-12 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #22.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
610 S Engineer
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 826-2216
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 826-2216
Gr: K-4 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #33.
Green Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
401 W Pettis St
Green Ridge, MO 65332
(660) 527-3315
Green Ridge, MO 65332
(660) 527-3315
Gr: K-6 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #44.
Parkview Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1901 S New York
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 826-4947
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 826-4947
Gr: K-4 | 452 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #55.
Horace Mann Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1100 W 16th
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 826-6441
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 826-6441
Gr: K-4 | 239 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #66.
E W Thompson
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1520 Thompson Blvd
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 530-5575
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 530-5575
Gr: K-12 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #77.
Smith-cotton High School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2010 Tiger Pride Boulevard
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 851-5300
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 851-5300
Gr: 9-12 | 1,535 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #88.
Skyline Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2505 W 32nd St
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 826-8087
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 826-8087
Gr: K-4 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #99.
Heber Hunt Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
600 S Warren
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 826-1058
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 826-1058
Gr: K-4 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1010.
Green Ridge High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
401 W Pettis St
Green Ridge, MO 65332
(660) 527-3315
Green Ridge, MO 65332
(660) 527-3315
Gr: 7-12 | 183 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1111.
Sedalia Middle School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2205 S Ingram
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 829-6500
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 829-6500
Gr: 5 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1212.
Smith Cotton Junior High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
312 East Broadway
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 829-6300
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 829-6300
Gr: 6-8 | 1,121 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1313.
La Monte Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
201 S Washington
La Monte, MO 65337
(660) 347-5621
La Monte, MO 65337
(660) 347-5621
Gr: PK-6 | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1414.
Smithton High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
505 S Myrtle
Smithton, MO 65350
(660) 343-5318
Smithton, MO 65350
(660) 343-5318
Gr: 7-12 | 223 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #1515.
Smithton Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
505 S Myrtle
Smithton, MO 65350
(660) 343-5317
Smithton, MO 65350
(660) 343-5317
Gr: PK-6 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #1616.
Northwest Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
407 W Tuck
Houstonia, MO 65333
(660) 568-3315
Houstonia, MO 65333
(660) 568-3315
Gr: PK-6 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Rank: #1717.
Pettis Co. Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
22675 Depot Rd
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 826-5385
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 826-5385
Gr: PK-8 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1818.
La Monte High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
301 S Washington
La Monte, MO 65337
(660) 347-5439
La Monte, MO 65337
(660) 347-5439
Gr: 7-12 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: n/an/a
2255 S Ingram
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 827-8955
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 827-8955
Gr: PK | 238 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Pettis County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
County Juvenile Center (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
312 E Broadway
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 827-1062
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 827-1062
Gr: 6-12
E W Thompson (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1520 Thompson Boulevard
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 530-5575
Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 530-5575
Gr: Inquire with school | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
505 S. Myrtle
Smithton, MO 65350
(660) 343-5316
Smithton, MO 65350
(660) 343-5316
Gr: 5-8 | 177 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Pettis County, MO?
The top ranked public schools in Pettis County, MO include Northwest High School, Washington Elementary School and Green Ridge Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Pettis County?
20 public schools are located in Pettis County.
What percentage of students in Pettis County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Pettis County are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pettis County?
Pettis County public schools minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Missouri public schools average of 32% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Pettis County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Pettis County include: Sedalia Middle School vs. Skyline Elementary School, Heber Hunt Elementary School vs. Parkview Elementary School, Skyline Elementary School vs. Sedalia Middle School
Recent Articles
School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.
Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.
Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.
