Sumner High School is a St. Louis public high school that was the first high school for African-American students west of the Mississippi River in the United States. Together with Vashon High School, Sumner was one of only two public high schools in St. Louis City for African-American students and was segregated.
Serving 407 students in grades 9-12, Sumner High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Missouri for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤5% (which is lower than the Missouri state average of 40%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≤10% (which is lower than the Missouri state average of 43%).
The student-teacher ratio of 13:1 is higher than the Missouri state level of 12:1.
Quick Facts (2026-27)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 407 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
- Graduation Rate: 70-79% (Btm 50% in MO)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≤10% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: ≤10% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Sumner High serves the northwest part of the Saint Louis, MO school district, encompassing an area of approximately 10.3 square miles. Most students live within a 5-10 minute drive from the school, with an average distance of 1.9 miles to the zone's edge and a maximum distance of 3.6 miles to the furthest point.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MO Dept. of Education
School Overview
Sumner High School's student population of 407 students has grown by 77% over five school years.
The teacher population of 32 teachers has grown by 33% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
407 students
Total Classroom Teachers
32 teachers
Year Founded
1875
School Rankings
Sumner High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,076 schools in Missouri (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Sumner High School is 0.02, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.52. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#2041 out of 2076 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
40%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
43%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
12:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
2%
Hispanic
1%
9%
Black
99%
15%
White
n/a
67%
Hawaiian
n/a
1%
Two or more races
n/a
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
70-79%
90%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)52.8%
20.5%
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
43%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (13-14)
1%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MO Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sumner High School's ranking?
Sumner High School is ranked #2041 out of 2,076 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Missouri.
What schools are Sumner High School often compared to?
Sumner High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Vashon High School, Collegiate School Of Med/bio by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 40% MO state average), while ≤10% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 43% MO state average).
What is the graduation rate of Sumner High School?
The graduation rate of Sumner High School is 70-79%, which is lower than the Missouri state average of 90%.
How many students attend Sumner High School?
407 students attend Sumner High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
99% of Sumner High School students are Black, and 1% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Sumner High School?
Sumner High School has a student ration of 13:1, which is higher than the Missouri state average of 12:1.
What grades does Sumner High School offer ?
Sumner High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Sumner High School part of?
Sumner High School is part of St. Louis City School District.
In what neighborhood is Sumner High School located?
Sumner High School is located in the The Ville neighborhood of Saint Louis, MO. There are 1 other public schools located in The Ville.
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