For the 2026 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 9,331 students in Pulaski County, MO (there are 2 private schools, serving 395 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Pulaski County, MO are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Pulaski County, MO are Thayer Elementary School, Freedom Elementary School and Partridge Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pulaski County, MO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Missouri public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 43% statewide average). Schools in Pulaski County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Missouri public schools.
Minority enrollment is 32% 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 Pulaski County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Thayer Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4273 Thayer St
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
(573) 842-2200
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
(573) 842-2200
Gr: K-5 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #22.
Freedom Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
286 Eastlawn Ave
Saint Robert, MO 65584
(573) 842-2100
Saint Robert, MO 65584
(573) 842-2100
Gr: K-5 | 954 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #33.
Partridge Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7078 Young St
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
(573) 842-2600
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
(573) 842-2600
Gr: K-5 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #44.
Wood Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4590 Buckeye Ave
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
(573) 842-2625
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
(573) 842-2625
Gr: K-5 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #55.
6th Grade Center
(Math: 46% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
810 Roosevelt Street
Waynesville, MO 65583
(573) 842-2300
Waynesville, MO 65583
(573) 842-2300
Gr: 6 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #66.
Waynesville Sr. High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
200 G W Ln
Waynesville, MO 65583
(573) 842-2400
Waynesville, MO 65583
(573) 842-2400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,719 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #77.
Waynesville East Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1501 State Rd F
Waynesville, MO 65583
(573) 842-2150
Waynesville, MO 65583
(573) 842-2150
Gr: K-5 | 920 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #88.
Waynesville Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1001 Historic 66 West
Waynesville, MO 65583
(573) 842-2550
Waynesville, MO 65583
(573) 842-2550
Gr: 7-8 | 906 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #99.
Dixon Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
102 N Pine Street
Dixon, MO 65459
(573) 759-7163
Dixon, MO 65459
(573) 759-7163
Gr: PK-5 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1010.
Richland Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
714 E Jefferson
Richland, MO 65556
(573) 765-3812
Richland, MO 65556
(573) 765-3812
Gr: PK-6 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1111.
Richland High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
714 E Jefferson
Richland, MO 65556
(573) 765-3711
Richland, MO 65556
(573) 765-3711
Gr: 7-12 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1212.
Laquey R-v Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
27600 Hwy Aa
Laquey, MO 65534
(573) 765-3245
Laquey, MO 65534
(573) 765-3245
Gr: PK-4 | 236 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1313.
Dixon High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
300 E. High School Dr
Dixon, MO 65459
(573) 759-7163
Dixon, MO 65459
(573) 759-7163
Gr: 9-12 | 271 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1414.
Swedeborg Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
17507 Hwy T
Richland, MO 65556
(573) 736-2735
Richland, MO 65556
(573) 736-2735
Gr: PK-8 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1515.
Laquey R-v High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
27600 Hwy Aa
Laquey, MO 65534
(573) 765-4051
Laquey, MO 65534
(573) 765-4051
Gr: 9-12 | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1616.
Dixon Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
200 E. 5th Street
Dixon, MO 65459
(573) 759-7163
Dixon, MO 65459
(573) 759-7163
Gr: 6-8 | 197 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1717.
Crocker Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
601 N Commercial
Crocker, MO 65452
(573) 736-5000
Crocker, MO 65452
(573) 736-5000
Gr: PK-5 | 236 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1818.
Crocker High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
601 N Commercial
Crocker, MO 65452
(573) 736-5000
Crocker, MO 65452
(573) 736-5000
Gr: 6-12 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: n/an/a
27600 Hwy Aa
Laquey, MO 65534
(573) 765-3716
Laquey, MO 65534
(573) 765-3716
Gr: K-12 | 1,377 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: n/an/a
909 Us Rte. 66 W
Waynesville, MO 65583
(573) 842-2350
Waynesville, MO 65583
(573) 842-2350
Gr: PK | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: n/an/a
Waynesville Career Center
Vocational School
400 G.w. Lane
Waynesville, MO 65583
(573) 842-2500
Waynesville, MO 65583
(573) 842-2500
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
12225 Pulaski Avenue
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
(573) 842-2650
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
(573) 842-2650
Gr: PK | 294 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Pulaski County, MO?
The top-ranked public schools in Pulaski County, MO include Thayer Elementary School, Freedom Elementary School and Partridge Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Pulaski County?
22 public schools are located in Pulaski County.
What percentage of students in Pulaski County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Pulaski County are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pulaski County?
Pulaski County public schools minority enrollment is 32% 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 Pulaski County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Pulaski County include: Richland High School vs. Waynesville Sr. High School, Richland Elementary School vs. Laquey R-v Elementary School, Partridge Elementary School vs. Thayer Elementary School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
