For the 2025 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 6,643 students in Howell County, MO (there are 1 private school, serving 73 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Howell County, MO are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in Howell County, MO are Howell Valley Elementary School, West Plains Sr. High School and Mountain View Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Howell County, MO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Missouri public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 43% statewide average). Schools in Howell County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Missouri public schools.
Minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Missouri public school average of 32% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Howell County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Howell Valley Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6461 State Rte Zz
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-2268
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-2268
Grades: PK-8
| 206 students
Rank: #22.
West Plains Sr. High School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
602 E Olden
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6150
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6150
Grades: 9-12
| 1,145 students
Rank: #33.
Mountain View Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
314 N Elm St
Mountain View, MO 65548
(417) 934-2550
Mountain View, MO 65548
(417) 934-2550
Grades: PK-5
| 397 students
Rank: #44.
Ozark Horizon School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1715 Wayhaven Dr
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-2880
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-2880
Grades: K-12
| 20 students
Rank: #55.
South Fork Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3209 Us Hwy 160
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-2836
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-2836
Grades: PK-6
| 183 students
Rank: #66.
Willow Springs Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
215 W Fourth St
Willow Springs, MO 65793
(417) 469-2474
Willow Springs, MO 65793
(417) 469-2474
Grades: PK-4
| 478 students
Rank: #77.
Liberty Sr. High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1101 Old Hwy 60
Mountain View, MO 65548
(417) 934-2020
Mountain View, MO 65548
(417) 934-2020
Grades: 9-12
| 366 students
Rank: #88.
Willow Springs Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
215 W Fourth St
Willow Springs, MO 65793
(417) 469-3211
Willow Springs, MO 65793
(417) 469-3211
Grades: 5-8
| 361 students
Rank: #99.
West Plains Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
730 E Olden
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6150
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6150
Grades: 5-8
| 564 students
Rank: #1010.
Richards Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3461 County Rd 1710
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-5239
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-5239
Grades: PK-8
| 385 students
Rank: #1111.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4036 State Rte K
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-1063
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-1063
Grades: PK-8
| 487 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Glenwood Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
10286 State Rte 17
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-4849
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-4849
Grades: PK-8
| 245 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Junction Hill Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
8004 County Rd 3010
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-4265
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-4265
Grades: PK-8
| 181 students
Rank: #1414.
Liberty Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1054 Old Hwy 60
Mountain View, MO 65548
(417) 934-2020
Mountain View, MO 65548
(417) 934-2020
Grades: 6-8
| 280 students
Rank: #1515.
Birch Tree Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
422 W Old Hwy 60 East
Mountain View, MO 65548
(573) 292-3106
Mountain View, MO 65548
(573) 292-3106
Grades: PK-5
| 168 students
Rank: #1616.
Willow Springs High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
215 W Fourth St
Willow Springs, MO 65793
(417) 469-2114
Willow Springs, MO 65793
(417) 469-2114
Grades: 9-12
| 401 students
Rank: #1717.
West Plains Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1136 Allen St
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6150
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6150
Grades: PK-4
| 776 students
Rank: n/an/a
Southern Mo Tech Institute
Vocational School
407 West Thornburgh
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6152
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6152
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Howell County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
3461 County Rd 1710
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-5239
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-5239
Grades: 6-8
| 129 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Howell County, MO?
The top ranked public schools in Howell County, MO include Howell Valley Elementary School, West Plains Sr. High School and Mountain View Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Howell County?
18 public schools are located in Howell County.
What percentage of students in Howell County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Howell County are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Howell County?
Howell County public schools minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Missouri public schools average of 32% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Howell County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Howell County include: Glenwood Elementary School vs. Fairview Elementary School, Liberty Sr. High School vs. Willow Springs High School, Howell Valley Elementary School vs. Fairview Elementary School
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
