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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Buchanan County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 35 public schools serving 12,141 students in Buchanan County, MO (there are 10 private schools, serving 1,654 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Buchanan County, MO are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Buchanan County, MO are Ellison Elementary School, Field Elementary School and Oak Grove Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Buchanan 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 40% (versus the 43% statewide average). Schools in Buchanan County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Missouri public schools.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Missouri public school average of 33% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Buchanan County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ellison Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
45 Se 85th Rd
Saint Joseph, MO 64507
(816) 667-5316
Gr: K-6 | 343 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #22.
Field Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2602 Gene Field
Saint Joseph, MO 64506
(816) 671-4130
Gr: K-6 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #33.
Oak Grove Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4901 Cook Rd
Saint Joseph, MO 64505
(816) 671-4290
Gr: PK-6 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #44.
Mid-buchanan Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3221 Se State Rte H
Faucett, MO 64448
(816) 238-1646
Gr: PK-6 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #55.
East Buchanan Middle School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
301 County Park Rd N
Easton, MO 64443
(816) 473-2451
Gr: 6-8 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #66.
John Glenn Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
12401 County Rd 438
Saint Joseph, MO 64505
(816) 279-4533
Gr: K-5 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #77.
Rushville Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
8681 Sw State Rte 116
Rushville, MO 64484
(816) 688-7777
Gr: PK-6 | 157 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #88.
Mid-buchanan Sr. High School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3221 Se State Rte H
Faucett, MO 64448
(816) 238-1646
Gr: 7-12 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #99.
Pershing Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2610 Blackwell Rd
Saint Joseph, MO 64505
(816) 671-4320
Gr: K-6 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1010.
Dekalb Jr.-sr. High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
702 Main St
De Kalb, MO 64440
(816) 685-3211
Gr: 7-12 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #1111.
Carden Park Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1510 Duncan
Saint Joseph, MO 64501
(816) 671-4160
Gr: K-6 | 638 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1212.
Skaith Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4701 Schoolside Ln
Saint Joseph, MO 64503
(816) 671-4370
Gr: PK-6 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1313.
Lafayette High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
412 Highland Ave
Saint Joseph, MO 64505
(816) 671-4220
Gr: 9-12 | 644 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1414.
Central High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2602 Edmond
Saint Joseph, MO 64501
(816) 671-4080
Gr: 9-12 | 1,733 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1515.
Bode Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
720 N Noyes Blvd
Saint Joseph, MO 64506
(816) 671-4050
Gr: 7-8 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1616.
Hyde Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
509 Thompson
Saint Joseph, MO 64504
(816) 671-4210
Gr: K-5 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1717.
Pickett Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3923 Pickett Rd
Saint Joseph, MO 64503
(816) 671-4330
Gr: PK-6 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1818.
Parkway Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2900 Duncan
Saint Joseph, MO 64507
(816) 671-4310
Gr: K-6 | 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1919.
Edison Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
515 N 22nd
Saint Joseph, MO 64501
(816) 671-4110
Gr: PK-6 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2020.
Robidoux Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4212 St Joseph Ave
Saint Joseph, MO 64505
(816) 671-4350
Gr: 6-8 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2121.
Coleman Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3312 Beck Rd
Saint Joseph, MO 64506
(816) 671-4100
Gr: K-6 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #2222.
Spring Garden Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5802 S 22nd
Saint Joseph, MO 64503
(816) 671-4380
Gr: 6-8 | 404 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2323.
Truman Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3227 Olive
Saint Joseph, MO 64507
(816) 671-4400
Gr: 7-8 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #2424.
Benton High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5655 S Fourth
Saint Joseph, MO 64504
(816) 671-4030
Gr: 9-12 | 682 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2525.
Hosea Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
6401 Gordon St
Saint Joseph, MO 64504
(816) 671-4180
Gr: K-5 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2626.
Helen M Davis School
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2900 Scott St
Saint Joseph, MO 64507
(816) 387-2986
Gr: K-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #2727.
Lindbergh Elementary School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2812 St Joseph Ave
Saint Joseph, MO 64505
(816) 671-4250
Gr: K-5 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: n/an/a
Alt. Resource Center
3510 Frederick Ave
Saint Joseph, MO 64506
(816) 387-2320
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Buchanan Co. Academy
4720 Green Acres
Saint Joseph, MO 64506
(816) 387-2320
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Hillyard Technical Center
Vocational School
3434 Faraon
Saint Joseph, MO 64506
(816) 671-4170
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Lake Early Learning Center
1800 Alabama
Saint Joseph, MO 64504
(816) 671-4009
Gr: PK | 211 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: n/an/a
Mark Twain Early Learning Center
705 S 31st St
Saint Joseph, MO 64507
(816) 671-4270
Gr: PK | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: n/an/a
Riverbend Treatment Center
5910 Mitchell Ave
Saint Joseph, MO 64507
(816) 390-9801
Gr: 6-12 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: n/an/a
Western Recept/diag Corr Centr
Alternative School
3401 Faraon St
Saint Joseph, MO 64506
(816) 387-2158
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Western Region Treatment Centr
Alternative School
3401 Faraon St
Saint Joseph, MO 64506
(816) 387-2158
Gr: 7-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Buchanan County, MO?
The top-ranked public schools in Buchanan County, MO include Ellison Elementary School, Field Elementary School and Oak Grove Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Buchanan County?
35 public schools are located in Buchanan County.
What percentage of students in Buchanan County go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Buchanan County are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Buchanan County?
Buchanan County public schools minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Missouri public schools average of 33% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Buchanan County are often viewed compared to one another?

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