2024 Best Elementary Schools in Missouri

The Complete Guide to Elementary Schools in Missouri

The state of Missouri has nearly two thousand elementary schools (1,796) scattered across various cities and metropolitan areas, with some of the largest being Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield. That's a full 74% more than the typical state, and on a per capita basis, Missouri actually ranks #15 in the nation, averaging about 20% more elementary schools than most states. Despite this advantage, it's important to note that school quality can be as good or bad as any other state.

Overall, the average elementary school in the state earns a B grade, which is slightly below the national average. Furthermore, of the 1,796 elementary schools, just under half (38%) are rated above average. While this may sound low, it still leaves 677 schools that are above the national average as potential options. Narrowing that total down further, if you include only schools that rank in the top 25% of the nation, that total dwindles to a still respectable 421.

Are public elementary schools in Missouri a good option?

Missouri has a total of 1,324 public elementary schools, and of that total, traditional public schools constitute a full 95% or about 1,259 of them. That's a large number, but for those with higher expectations, just 4 out of 10 (48%) score above the national average, so there may be some need for caution.

What is the best public elementary school in Missouri?

At the top of the heap is Ladue Fifth Grade Center, a public elementary school based in St. Louis. With 325 students and a student to teacher ratio of 13:1, the school has a 7% lower ratio than the typical US elementary school, which can equate to greater focus per student and often lead to better student outcomes. Ladue Fifth Grade Center is the top school amongst nearly 1,500 traditional elementary schools in the state (1,259). About 48% of all such schools are rated above the national average.

Key statistics about charter elementary schools in Missouri

Are charter schools in Missouri a good choice? This largely depends on personal preference, but with more than 40 options (44 to be exact) there are numerous potential fits. While not as popular as traditional public schools, the typical charter elementary school in Missouri scores a C, which is below the national average of a B. Although the grade may be slightly below average, this is likely due to the fact that the state has 25% fewer charter schools per capita than the average state. In other words, there's still plenty of quality charter options in the state.

What is the best charter elementary school in Missouri?

The highest ranked charter elementary school in Missouri is Academie Lafayette-Cherry. It's located in Kansas City, which is the largest city in the state. The school has 395 students and an impressive A grade. The school is known for its excellent quality, but should be noted that the average student to teacher ratio is 15:1, which is 7% above the national average. This can mean that class sizes may be somewhat large at times vs. the typical school, but the school has various teaching aides and methods to keep students highly engaged despite having larger class sizes.

Everything you need to know about magnet elementary schools in Missouri

Despite its small size, there are still 21 magnet elementary schools in Missouri. This places the state 29th in the nation for magnet schools per capita. The school quality is somewhat uneven, with the median score being just a C, which is a full letter below the national average overall of a B grade. About 29% of the magnet elementary schools in the state are considered above the national average, which means there's about 6 schools that might be an option for the high achiever.

What is the best magnet elementary school in Missouri?

The best magnet elementary school in Missouri is John Thomas School of Discover. It's located in Nixa, which is part of the greater Springfield area. The school has 484 students and a student to teacher ratio of 14:1, which is in line with the national average. The school has made a name for itself with its quality programs, and it has been recognized for its achievements in science and technology.