For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 6,643 students in Howell County, MO (there are 1 private school, serving 73 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Howell County, MO are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Howell County, MO are Howell Valley Elementary School, Mountain View Elementary School and Ozark Horizon School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Howell County, MO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Missouri public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 43% statewide average). Schools in Howell County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Missouri public schools.
Minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Missouri public school average of 33% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Howell County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Howell Valley Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6461 State Rte Zz
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-2268
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-2268
Gr: PK-8 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Mountain View Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
314 N Elm St
Mountain View, MO 65548
(417) 934-2550
Mountain View, MO 65548
(417) 934-2550
Gr: PK-5 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #33.
Ozark Horizon School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1715 Wayhaven Dr
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-2880
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-2880
Gr: K-12 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
South Fork Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3209 Us Hwy 160
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-2836
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-2836
Gr: PK-6 | 196 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #55.
West Plains Sr. High School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
602 E Olden
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6150
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6150
Gr: 9-12 | 1,108 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
Liberty Sr. High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1101 Old Hwy 60
Mountain View, MO 65548
(417) 934-2020
Mountain View, MO 65548
(417) 934-2020
Gr: 9-12 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Junction Hill Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
8004 County Rd 3010
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-4265
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-4265
Gr: PK-8 | 186 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Willow Springs Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
215 W Fourth St
Willow Springs, MO 65793
(417) 469-2474
Willow Springs, MO 65793
(417) 469-2474
Gr: PK-4 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #99.
Willow Springs Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
215 W Fourth St
Willow Springs, MO 65793
(417) 469-3211
Willow Springs, MO 65793
(417) 469-3211
Gr: 5-8 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1010.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4036 State Rte K
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-1063
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-1063
Gr: PK-8 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1111.
Richards Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3461 County Rd 1710
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-5239
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-5239
Gr: PK-8 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1212.
West Plains Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
730 E Olden
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6150
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6150
Gr: 5-8 | 555 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1313.
Liberty Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1054 Old Hwy 60
Mountain View, MO 65548
(417) 934-5412
Mountain View, MO 65548
(417) 934-5412
Gr: 6-8 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Glenwood Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
10286 State Rte 17
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-4849
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-4849
Gr: PK-8 | 252 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Willow Springs High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
215 W Fourth St
Willow Springs, MO 65793
(417) 469-2114
Willow Springs, MO 65793
(417) 469-2114
Gr: 9-12 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1616.
West Plains Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1136 Allen St
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6150
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6150
Gr: PK-4 | 767 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1717.
Birch Tree Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
422 W Old Hwy 60 East
Mountain View, MO 65548
(573) 292-3106
Mountain View, MO 65548
(573) 292-3106
Gr: PK-5 | 174 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: n/an/a
Southern Mo Tech Institute
Vocational School
407 West Thornburgh
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6152
West Plains, MO 65775
(417) 256-6152
Gr: 9-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Howell County, MO?
The top-ranked public schools in Howell County, MO include Howell Valley Elementary School, Mountain View Elementary School and Ozark Horizon School.
How many public schools are located in Howell County?
18 public schools are located in Howell County.
What percentage of students in Howell County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Howell County are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Howell County?
Howell County public schools minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Missouri public schools average of 33% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Howell County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Howell County include: Glenwood Elementary School vs. Fairview Elementary School, Liberty Sr. High School vs. Willow Springs High School, Howell Valley Elementary School vs. Fairview Elementary School
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