For the 2025 school year, there are 18 public high schools serving 14,066 students in Clay County, MO.
The top ranked public high schools in Clay County, MO are Kearney High School, Smithville High School and Kearney Jr. High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Clay County, MO public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the Missouri public high school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Clay County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Missouri public high schools.
Clay County, MO public high school have a Graduation Rate of 95%, which is more than the Missouri average of 89%.
The school with highest graduation rate is North Kansas City High School, with 98% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Missouri or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Missouri public high school average of 30% (majority Black).
Best Public High Schools in Clay County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Kearney High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
715 E 19th St
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-4585
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-4585
Gr: 10-12 | 804 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Smithville High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
645 S Commercial Ave
Smithville, MO 64089
(816) 532-0405
Smithville, MO 64089
(816) 532-0405
Gr: 9-12 | 884 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
Kearney Jr. High School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2215 S Campus St
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-2650
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-2650
Gr: 8-9 | 534 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
Staley High School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2800 Ne Shoal Creek Pkwy
Kansas City, MO 64156
(816) 321-5330
Kansas City, MO 64156
(816) 321-5330
Gr: 9-12 | 2,006 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #55.
Liberty High School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
200 Bluejay Dr
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5340
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5340
Gr: 9-12 | 1,908 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #66.
Liberty North High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1000 N.e. 104th Street
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5500
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5500
Gr: 9-12 | 2,330 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #77.
Excelsior Springs High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
612 Tiger Dr
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
(816) 630-9210
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
(816) 630-9210
Gr: 9-12 | 744 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #88.
North Kansas City High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
620 E 23rd Ave
Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 321-5310
Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 321-5310
Gr: 9-12 | 1,690 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #99.
Oak Park High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
825 Ne 79th Terr
Kansas City, MO 64118
(816) 321-5320
Kansas City, MO 64118
(816) 321-5320
Gr: 9-12 | 1,744 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1010.
Excelsior Springs Tech. High School
Vocational School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
701 St Louis Ave
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
(816) 630-5501
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
(816) 630-5501
Gr: 10-12 | 104 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1111.
Winnetonka High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5815 Ne 48th St
Kansas City, MO 64119
(816) 321-5340
Kansas City, MO 64119
(816) 321-5340
Gr: 9-12 | 1,254 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1212.
Maple Valley School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2575 Ne Barry Rd
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 437-3711
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 437-3711
Gr: K-12 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1313.
Liberty Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1115 Blackberry Drive
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5470
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5470
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Center For Educ. Development
Alternative School
2000 Ne 46th St
Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 413-5000
Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 413-5000
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Excelsior Springs Career Center
Vocational School
614 Tiger Dr
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
(816) 630-9240
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
(816) 630-9240
Gr: 11-12
Rank: n/an/a
Juvenile Justice Center
Alternative School
8 Victory Lane
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5300
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 736-5300
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
4901 Ne Barry Rd
Kansas City, MO 64156
(816) 734-2120
Kansas City, MO 64156
(816) 734-2120
Gr: 6-12 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Clay County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
502 N Water
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 415-4330
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 415-4330
Gr: 1-12 | 39 students Minority enrollment: 8%
3100 Ne 46th St
Kansas City, MO 64117
(816) 413-6060
Kansas City, MO 64117
(816) 413-6060
Gr: K-12 | 45 students Minority enrollment: 9%
455 School Way
Holt, MO 64048
(816) 320-3441
Holt, MO 64048
(816) 320-3441
Gr: K-5 | 142 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Maple Valley (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
2575 Ne Barry Road
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 436-7747
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 436-7747
Gr: Inquire with school | 51 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
2215 S Campus Dr
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-2650
Kearney, MO 64060
(816) 628-2650
Gr: 6-8 | 855 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Clay County, MO?
The top ranked public high schools in Clay County, MO include Kearney High School, Smithville High School and Kearney Jr. High School.
How many public high schools are located in Clay County?
18 public high schools are located in Clay County.
What is the racial composition of students in Clay County?
Clay County public high schools minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Missouri public high schools average of 30% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Clay County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Clay County include: Juvenile Justice Center vs. Liberty Academy, Liberty Academy vs. Juvenile Justice Center, Liberty High School vs. Liberty North High School
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
