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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Polk County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 4,308 students in Polk County, MO (there are 1 private school, serving 95 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Polk County, MO are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Polk County, MO are Marion C. Early High School, Bolivar High School and Fair Play High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Polk County, MO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the Missouri public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 43% statewide average). Schools in Polk County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Missouri public schools.
Minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Missouri public school average of 33% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Polk County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Marion C. Early High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5309 S Main
Morrisville, MO 65710
(417) 376-2216
Gr: 9-12 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
Bolivar High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1401 N Pomme De Terre Ave
Bolivar, MO 65613
(417) 326-5228
Gr: 9-12 | 831 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
Fair Play High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
301 N Walnut
Fair Play, MO 65649
(417) 654-2232
Gr: 7-12 | 119 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #44.
Bolivar Intermediate School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1300 N Hartford
Bolivar, MO 65613
(417) 777-5160
Gr: 3-5 | 572 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #55.
Bolivar Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
604 W Jackson
Bolivar, MO 65613
(417) 326-3811
Gr: 6-8 | 587 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #66.
Marion C. Early Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5309 S Main
Morrisville, MO 65710
(417) 376-2215
Gr: PK-5 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #77.
Marion C. Early Junior High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5309 S. Main
Morrisville, MO 65710
(417) 376-2216
Gr: 6-8 | 143 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #88.
Halfway Secondary
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2150 Hwy 32
Half Way, MO 65663
(417) 445-2211
Gr: 7-12 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #99.
Fair Play Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
301 N Walnut
Fair Play, MO 65649
(417) 654-2233
Gr: K-6 | 212 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1010.
Halfway Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2150 Hwy 32
Half Way, MO 65663
(417) 445-2215
Gr: K-6 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1111.
Humansville Middle School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
300 N Oak St
Humansville, MO 65674
(417) 754-2219
Gr: 6-8 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1212.
Humansville High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
300 N Oak St
Humansville, MO 65674
(417) 754-2219
Gr: 9-12 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1313.
Humansville Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
300 N Oak St
Humansville, MO 65674
(417) 754-2221
Gr: PK-5 | 156 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1414.
Pleasant Hope Ranch School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5545 Hwy K
Brighton, MO 65617
(417) 376-3000
Gr: 4-12
Rank: n/an/a
Bolivar Primary
706 N Leonard Pl
Bolivar, MO 65613
(417) 326-5247
Gr: K-2 | 578 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: n/an/a
Early Childhood Learning Center
1400 E Forest St
Bolivar, MO 65613
(417) 328-5615
Gr: PK | 157 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: n/an/a
Exceptional Pupil Coop.-ecse
1510 E Broadway St
Bolivar, MO 65613
(417) 326-6284
Gr: PK | 72 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: n/an/a
Little Stingers Preschool
301 N.walnut Street
Fair Play, MO 65649
(417) 654-2233
Gr: PK | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 10%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Polk County, MO?
The top-ranked public schools in Polk County, MO include Marion C. Early High School, Bolivar High School and Fair Play High School.
How many public schools are located in Polk County?
18 public schools are located in Polk County.
What percentage of students in Polk County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Polk County are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County?
Polk County public schools minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Missouri public schools average of 33% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?

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