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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Cole County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 27 public schools serving 10,518 students in Cole County, MO (there are 16 private schools, serving 3,421 private students). 76% of all K-12 students in Cole County, MO are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Cole County, MO are Blair Oaks Elementary School, Blair Oaks Intermediate and Blair Oaks Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cole County, MO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Missouri public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 43% statewide average). Schools in Cole County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Missouri public schools.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Missouri public school average of 33% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Cole County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Blair Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
6124 Falcon Ln
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 634-2808
Gr: PK-2 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Blair Oaks Intermediate
(Math: 67% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
6124 Falcon Lane
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 635-6864
Gr: 3-5 | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #33.
Blair Oaks Middle School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6124 Falcon Ln
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 634-2053
Gr: 6-8 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
Jefferson City High School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
609 Union
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3050
Gr: 9-12 | 1,353 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #55.
Blair Oaks High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6124 Falcon Ln
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 635-8514
Gr: 9-12 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #66.
Cole Co. R-i Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
13111 Park St
Russellville, MO 65074
(573) 782-4814
Gr: PK-6 | 319 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #77.
Clarence Lawson Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1105 Fairgrounds Rd
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3175
Gr: K-5 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #88.
Russellville High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
13600 Rte C
Russellville, MO 65074
(573) 782-3973
Gr: 7-12 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #99.
Capital City High School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1650 Cavalier Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3286
Gr: 9-12 | 1,314 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Belair Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
701 Belair
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3155
Gr: K-5 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Eugene High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
14803 Hwy 17
Eugene, MO 65032
(573) 498-4001
Gr: 7-12 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1212.
Pioneer Trail Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
301 Pioneer Trail
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 632-3400
Gr: K-5 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1313.
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1201 Fairgrounds Rd
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3250
Gr: 6-8 | 927 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1414.
Cedar Hill Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1510 Vieth
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3160
Gr: K-5 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Eugene Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
14803 Hwy 17
Eugene, MO 65032
(573) 498-4002
Gr: PK-6 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
West Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
100 Dix Rd
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3195
Gr: K-5 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1717.
H Kenneth Kirchner School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1403 Riverside Dr
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-7142
Gr: K-12 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1818.
Lewis And Clark Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
325 Lewis And Clark Dr
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3200
Gr: 6-8 | 966 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1919.
South Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
707 Linden Dr
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3185
Gr: K-5 | 302 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #2020.
East Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1229 E Mccarty
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3165
Gr: K-5 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2121.
Thorpe J. Gordon Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1101 Jackson
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3170
Gr: K-5 | 294 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2222.
Moreau Heights Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1410 Hough Park
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3180
Gr: K-5 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: n/an/a
Algoa Correctional Center
Alternative School
8501 No More Victims Rd.
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-3911
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Mocap Elem.school
Alternative School
205 Jefferson Street
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(573) 751-2453
Gr: K-5
Rank: n/an/a
Nichols Career Center
Vocational School
605 Union
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 659-3100
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Prenger Family Center
Alternative School
400 Stadium Blvd
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 636-5177
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Southwest Early Childhood Center
812 St Mary's Blvd
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 659-3190
Gr: PK | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 44%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Cole County, MO?
The top-ranked public schools in Cole County, MO include Blair Oaks Elementary School, Blair Oaks Intermediate and Blair Oaks Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Cole County?
29 public schools are located in Cole County.
What percentage of students in Cole County go to public school?
76% of all K-12 students in Cole County are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cole County?
Cole County public schools minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Missouri public schools average of 33% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Cole County are often viewed compared to one another?

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