Best Cooper County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 2,406 students in Cooper County, MO (there are 4 private schools, serving 343 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Cooper County, MO are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Cooper County, MO are Pilot Grove High School, Prairie Home Elementary School and Boonville High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cooper County, MO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Missouri public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 43% statewide average). Schools in Cooper County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Missouri public schools.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Missouri public school average of 33% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Cooper County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pilot Grove High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
107 School St
Pilot Grove, MO 65276
(660) 834-4415
Gr: 7-12 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #22.
Prairie Home Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
301 Hwy Drive
Prairie Home, MO 65068
(660) 841-5296
Gr: K-5 | 63 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
Boonville High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1 Pirate Drive
Boonville, MO 65233
(660) 882-7426
Gr: 9-12 | 527 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #44.
Prairie Home High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
301 Hwy Drive
Prairie Home, MO 65068
(660) 841-5296
Gr: 6-12 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #55.
Bunceton Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
500 E Main
Bunceton, MO 65237
(660) 427-5415
Gr: PK-6 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #66.
Pilot Grove Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
107 School St
Pilot Grove, MO 65276
(660) 834-4115
Gr: PK-6 | 72 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #77.
Blackwater Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
300 Doddridge Ave.
Blackwater, MO 65322
(660) 846-2461
Gr: PK-8 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #88.
David Barton Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
814 Locust St
Boonville, MO 65233
(660) 882-6527
Gr: 3-5 | 298 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #99.
Laura Speed Elliott Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
700 Main St
Boonville, MO 65233
(660) 882-6649
Gr: 6-8 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1010.
Bunceton High School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
500 E. Main
Bunceton, MO 65237
(660) 427-5415
Gr: 7-12 | 33 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1111.
Otterville Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
101 W Georgetown St
Otterville, MO 65348
(660) 366-4621
Gr: PK-5 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1212.
Otterville High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
101 W Georgetown St
Otterville, MO 65348
(660) 366-4621
Gr: 6-12 | 102 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: n/an/a
Boonslick Technical Educ. Center
Vocational School
1694 W Ashley Rd
Boonville, MO 65233
(660) 882-5306
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Boonville Correctional Center
Alternative School
1216 E Morgan St
Boonville, MO 65233
(660) 882-6521
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Boonville Treatment Center
Alternative School
1216 E Morgan St
Boonville, MO 65233
(660) 882-6521
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Greenways Academy
736 Main St
Boonville, MO 65233
(660) 882-7474
Gr: K-12 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: n/an/a
Hannah Cole Primary
1700 West Ashley Road
Boonville, MO 65233
(660) 882-2744
Gr: PK-2 | 419 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 23%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Cooper County, MO?
The top-ranked public schools in Cooper County, MO include Pilot Grove High School, Prairie Home Elementary School and Boonville High School.
How many public schools are located in Cooper County?
17 public schools are located in Cooper County.
What percentage of students in Cooper County go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Cooper County are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cooper County?
Cooper County public schools minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Missouri public schools average of 33% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Cooper County are often viewed compared to one another?

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