For the 2025 school year, there are 43 public schools serving 19,411 students in Independence, MO (there are 8 private schools, serving 911 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Independence, MO are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in Independence, MO are William Yates Elementary School, Buckner Elementary School and John W. Luff Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Independence, MO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the Missouri public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 43% statewide average). Schools in Independence have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Missouri public schools.
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Missouri public school average of 32% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Independence, MO (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
William Yates Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3600 Davidson Rd
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 874-3740
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 874-3740
Grades: K-5
| 447 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Buckner Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
25102 E. Us 24 Highway
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7300
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7300
Grades: K-4
| 320 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
John W. Luff Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3700 S Delaware Ave
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 521-5415
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 521-5415
Grades: PK-5
| 343 students
Rank: #44.
Sycamore Hills Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
15208 E 39th St S
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 521-5465
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 521-5465
Grades: PK-5
| 537 students
Rank: #55.
Lewis And Clark Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
25102 E. Us 24 Highway
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7708
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7708
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Rank: #66.
Mill Creek Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2601 N Liberty St
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 521-5420
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 521-5420
Grades: PK-5
| 274 students
Rank: #77.
Three Trails Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
11801 E 32nd St S
Independence, MO 64052
(816) 521-5470
Independence, MO 64052
(816) 521-5470
Grades: PK-5
| 347 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Cler-mont Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
25102 E. Us 24 Highway
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7350
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7350
Grades: K-4
| 326 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Little Blue Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2020 Quail Drive
Independence, MO 64057
(816) 521-5480
Independence, MO 64057
(816) 521-5480
Grades: PK-5
| 281 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Blue Hills Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
25102 E. Us 24 Highway
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7440
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7440
Grades: K-4
| 347 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Indian Trails Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
25102 E. Us 24 Highway
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7645
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7645
Grades: PK-4
| 357 students
Rank: #1212.
Truman High School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3301 S Noland Rd
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 521-5350
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 521-5350
Grades: 9-12
| 1,700 students
Rank: #1313.
Sugar Creek Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
11424 Gill St
Independence, MO 64054
(816) 521-5460
Independence, MO 64054
(816) 521-5460
Grades: PK-1
| 138 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Bryant Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
827 W College
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 521-5400
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 521-5400
Grades: PK-5
| 227 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Procter Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1403 W Linden Ave
Independence, MO 64052
(816) 521-5440
Independence, MO 64052
(816) 521-5440
Grades: PK-5
| 200 students
Rank: #1616.
Blackburn Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
17302 E R D Mize Rd
Independence, MO 64057
(816) 521-5395
Independence, MO 64057
(816) 521-5395
Grades: PK-5
| 365 students
Rank: #1717.
Bridger Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
18200 E M-78 Hwy
Independence, MO 64057
(816) 521-5375
Independence, MO 64057
(816) 521-5375
Grades: 6
| 696 students
Rank: #1818.
William Chrisman High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1223 N Noland Rd
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 521-5355
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 521-5355
Grades: 9-12
| 1,441 students
Rank: #1919.
Spring Branch Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
20404 E Truman Rd
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 521-5455
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 521-5455
Grades: PK-5
| 245 students
Rank: #2020.
Fort Osage High School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
25102 E. Us 24 Highway
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7030
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7030
Grades: 9-12
| 1,575 students
Rank: #2121.
Glendale Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2611 S Lee's Summit Rd
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 521-5510
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 521-5510
Grades: PK-5
| 391 students
Rank: #2222.
Independence Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
600 W Mechanic Ave
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 521-5505
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 521-5505
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Osage Trail Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
25102 E. Us 24 Highway
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7151
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7151
Grades: 7-8
| 724 students
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Ott Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1525 N Noland Rd
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 521-5435
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 521-5435
Grades: PK-5
| 385 students
Rank: #2525.
Thomas Hart Benton Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
429 S Leslie
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 521-5390
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 521-5390
Grades: PK-5
| 397 students
Rank: #2626.
Santa Fe Trail Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1301 S Windsor St
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 521-5450
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 521-5450
Grades: PK-5
| 356 students
Rank: #2727.
Fire Prairie Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
25102 E. Us 24 Highway
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7158
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7158
Grades: 5-6
| 693 students
Rank: #2828.
Pioneer Ridge Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1656 S Speck Rd
Independence, MO 64057
(816) 521-5385
Independence, MO 64057
(816) 521-5385
Grades: 7-8
| 817 students
Rank: #2929.
Abraham Mallinson Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
709 North Forest Ave
Independence, MO 64054
(816) 521-5530
Independence, MO 64054
(816) 521-5530
Grades: 2-5
| 275 students
Rank: #3030.
Cassell Park Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
10401 East 31st Street South
Independence, MO 64052
(816) 521-5540
Independence, MO 64052
(816) 521-5540
Grades: PK-5
| 370 students
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Fairmount Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
120 N Cedar Ave
Independence, MO 64053
(816) 521-5405
Independence, MO 64053
(816) 521-5405
Grades: PK-5
| 330 students
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
William Southern Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4300 S Phelps Rd
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 521-5475
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 521-5475
Grades: PK-5
| 452 students
Rank: #3333.
Bingham Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1716 S Speck Rd
Independence, MO 64057
(816) 521-5490
Independence, MO 64057
(816) 521-5490
Grades: 7-8
| 758 students
Rank: #3434.
Korte Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2437 S Hardy Ave
Independence, MO 64052
(816) 521-5430
Independence, MO 64052
(816) 521-5430
Grades: PK-5
| 460 students
Rank: #3535.
Elm Grove Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
25102 E. Us 24 Highway
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7400
Independence, MO 64056
(816) 650-7400
Grades: K-4
| 320 students
Show 8 more public schools in Independence, MO (out of 43 total schools)
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Independence, Missouri Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Mccune School For Boys (Closed 2016)
Alternative School
2101 N Twyman Rd
Independence, MO 64058
(816) 650-7490
Independence, MO 64058
(816) 650-7490
Grades: 7-12
| n/a students
570 Evanston
Independence, MO 64053
(816) 418-4350
Independence, MO 64053
(816) 418-4350
Grades: PK-6
| 362 students
2437-2431 S Hardy
Independence, MO 64052
(816) 418-4450
Independence, MO 64052
(816) 418-4450
Grades: PK-6
| 538 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Independence, MO?
The top ranked public schools in Independence, MO include William Yates Elementary School, Buckner Elementary School and John W. Luff Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Independence?
43 public schools are located in Independence.
What percentage of students in Independence go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Independence are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Independence?
Independence public schools minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Missouri public schools average of 32% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Independence are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Independence include: Pioneer Ridge Middle School vs. Bingham Middle School, Bingham Middle School vs. Pioneer Ridge Middle School, William Chrisman High School vs. Truman High School
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