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Best Public Schools in Kansas City, MO (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Kansas City Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 187 public schools serving 78,688 students in Kansas City, MO (there are 73 private schools, serving 15,788 private students). 84% of all K-12 students in Kansas City, MO are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Kansas City, MO are Nashua Elementary School, Park Hill High School and Shoal Creek Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Kansas City, MO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the Missouri public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 43% statewide average). Schools in Kansas City have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Missouri public schools.
Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Missouri public school average of 33% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Kansas City, MO (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Nashua Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
221 Ne 114th St
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 321-5160
Gr: PK-5 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Park Hill High School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7701 Nw Barry Rd
Kansas City, MO 64153
(816) 359-4110
Gr: 9-12 | 1,947 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Shoal Creek Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
9000 Ne Flintlock Rd
Kansas City, MO 64157
(816) 736-7150
Gr: K-5 | 795 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #44.
Rising Hill Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7301 Ne 108th St.
Kansas City, MO 64157
(816) 321-5370
Gr: PK-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #55.
B W Sheperd School
Special Education School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2727 Tracy Ave
Kansas City, MO 64109
(816) 889-3502
Gr: K-12
Rank: #66.
Bell Prairie Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3000 Ne 108th St
Kansas City, MO 64156
(816) 321-5020
Gr: PK-5 | 642 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #77.
Academie Lafayette Armour Ims
Charter School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
201 E Armour Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64111
(816) 800-8771
Gr: 6-8 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #88.
Graden Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
8804 Hwy 45 Nw
Kansas City, MO 64152
(816) 359-4340
Gr: K-5 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #99.
Summit Pointe Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
13100 E 147th St
Kansas City, MO 64149
(816) 986-4210
Gr: K-5 | 534 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1010.
English Landing Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6500 Nw Klamm Dr
Kansas City, MO 64151
(816) 359-4370
Gr: K-5 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1111.
Chapel Hill Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3220 Ne 67th Terr
Kansas City, MO 64119
(816) 321-5040
Gr: K-5 | 644 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1212.
Academie Lafayette Armour Ihs
Charter School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
201 East Armour Boulevard
Kansas City, MO 64113
(816) 800-8771
Gr: 9-12 | 118 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1313.
Northview Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
9201 N Indiana
Kansas City, MO 64156
(816) 321-5170
Gr: K-5 | 656 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1414.
Fox Hill Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
545 Ne 106 St
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 321-5090
Gr: K-5 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1515.
Union Chapel Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
7100 Nw Hampton Road
Kansas City, MO 64152
(816) 359-4310
Gr: K-5 | 609 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1616.
Academie Lafayette Oak Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6903 Oak Street
Kansas City, MO 64113
(816) 361-7735
Gr: K-5 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1717.
Hawthorn Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8200 N Chariton
Kansas City, MO 64152
(816) 359-4390
Gr: K-5 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1818.
Lincoln College Academy Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2012 E 23rd Street
Kansas City, MO 64109
(816) 418-1500
Gr: 6-8 | 583 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1919.
Gateway 6th Grade Center
(Math: 61% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
9201 N Indiana Ave
Kansas City, MO 64156
(816) 321-5360
Gr: 6 | 882 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2020.
Staley High School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2800 Ne Shoal Creek Pkwy
Kansas City, MO 64156
(816) 321-5330
Gr: 9-12 | 2,091 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2121.
University Academy-upper
Charter School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6801 Holmes Rd
Kansas City, MO 64131
(816) 412-5930
Gr: 9-12 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2222.
New Mark Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
515 Ne 106th St
Kansas City, MO 64155
(816) 321-5290
Gr: 7-8 | 965 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2323.
Academie Lafayette Cherry Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3421 Cherry St
Kansas City, MO 64109
(816) 888-7400
Gr: PK-5 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2424.
Lakeview Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6720 Nw 64th St
Kansas City, MO 64151
(816) 359-4220
Gr: 6-8 | 653 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #2525.
Clardy Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
8100 N Troost
Kansas City, MO 64118
(816) 321-5060
Gr: K-5 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2626.
Maplewood Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6400 Ne 52nd St
Kansas City, MO 64119
(816) 321-5140
Gr: PK-5 | 330 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2727.
Briarcliff Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4100 Nw Briarcliff Rd
Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 321-5030
Gr: K-5 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Dale M Thompson/trails West S
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4800 Grandview Rd
Kansas City, MO 64137
(816) 325-1353
Gr: K-12 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Northwood School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4400 Sterling Ave
Kansas City, MO 64133
(816) 737-6290
Gr: K-12
Rank: #3030.
Southeast Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5704 N Northwood Rd
Kansas City, MO 64151
(816) 359-4360
Gr: K-5 | 548 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #3131.
Meadowbrook Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6301 N Michigan Dr
Kansas City, MO 64118
(816) 321-5150
Gr: K-5 | 529 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #3232.
Lincoln College Prep.
Magnet School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2111 Woodland
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 418-3000
Gr: 9-12 | 997 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #3333.
Hale Cook Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
7302 Pennsylvania
Kansas City, MO 64114
(816) 418-1601
Gr: PK-6 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Lakewood Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4624 N Norton
Kansas City, MO 64117
(816) 321-5120
Gr: K-5 | 185 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Plaza Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6501 Nw 72nd St
Kansas City, MO 64151
(816) 359-4210
Gr: 6-8 | 673 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 44%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Kansas City, MO?
The top-ranked public schools in Kansas City, MO include Nashua Elementary School, Park Hill High School and Shoal Creek Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Kansas City?
187 public schools are located in Kansas City.
What percentage of students in Kansas City go to public school?
84% of all K-12 students in Kansas City are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Kansas City?
Kansas City public schools minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Missouri public schools average of 33% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Kansas City are often viewed compared to one another?

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