Missouri is the #14 largest school system in the United States, serving 885,249 students across the 2,458 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 660 private schools, serving 119,929 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)
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
2,458 Schools
100,423 Schools
# Students
885,249 Students
49,312,078 Students
# Teachers
70,228 Teachers
3,179,501 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (MO)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
43%
Graduation Rate
90%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
43%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.52
0.71
# American Indian Students
3,107 Students
466,017 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
19,139 Students
2,806,956 Students
% Asian Students
2%
6%
# Hispanic Students
79,330 Students
14,946,038 Students
% Hispanic Students
9%
30%
# Black Students
136,032 Students
7,271,060 Students
% Black Students
15%
15%
# White Students
592,629 Students
21,001,266 Students
% White Students
67%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
3,659 Students
196,946 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
n/a
# Two or more races Students
51,326 Students
2,587,800 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (MO)
Total Revenue (24-25)
$13,447 MM
Spending (24-25)
$12,401 MM
Revenue / Student (24-25)
$15,190
Spending / Student (24-25)
$14,009
Best Missouri Public Schools by County (2026)
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?
2,458 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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