Best High Schools
in Kansas City, Missouri
We ranked the 31 high schools in Kansas City with real test data. The top 25 scored between 4.6 and 9.0 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Missouri education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in Kansas City for 2026 are Lincoln College Prep. (9.0/10), Ewing Marion Kauffman High (8.4/10), and Lutheran High School of Kansas City (8.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 31 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in Kansas City?
Every high school in Kansas City is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Lincoln College Prep.
Kansas City, MO. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Ewing Marion Kauffman High
Kansas City, MO. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Lutheran High School of Kansas City
Kansas City, MO. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Kansas City's 23 ranked high schools span a wide performance range, with composite scores running from well below average up to Allen Village High School's leading 8.2 out of 10. That top mark sits notably above the metro average of 5.9, signaling a real gap between the strongest programs and the middle of the pack. Only five schools — 22% of the ranked pool — clear the 7-out-of-10 threshold, making that tier genuinely selective. Winnetonka High, Académie Lafayette Armour IHS, Ewing Marion Kauffman High, and Frontier STEM High School round out that upper group. The table below lets you sort by score, school type, and other factors to find the fit that matters most for your student. Use the spread here as a baseline: a school near or above 7.0 is outperforming most of its Kansas City peers.
Lincoln College Prep.
Ewing Marion Kauffman High
Lutheran High School of Kansas City
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Kansas City's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within Missouri so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 31 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln College Prep. KANSAS CITY 33 | 9.0 |
| 2 | Ewing Marion Kauffman High Charter EWING MARION KAUFFMAN SCHOOL | 8.4 |
| 3 | Lutheran High School of Kansas City | 8.0 |
| 4 | Frontier Stem High School Charter FRONTIER SCHOOLS | 7.7 |
| 5 | Allen Village High School Charter ALLEN VILLAGE | 7.6 |
| 6 | 7933 Main St. | 7.4 |
| 7 | University Academy-upper Charter UNIVERSITY ACADEMY | 7.3 |
| 8 | Paseo Acad. of Performing Arts KANSAS CITY 33 | 7.3 |
| 9 | Cristo Rey Kansas City | 7.3 |
| 10 | St Pius X High School | 7.2 |
| 11 | The Plaza Academy | 7.1 |
| 12 | North Kansas City High NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 6.9 |
| 13 | Cornerstone With Care - Ozanam School | 6.9 |
| 14 | Academie Lafayette Armour Ihs Charter ACADEMIE LAFAYETTE | 6.8 |
| 15 | Ruskin High School HICKMAN MILLS C-1 | 6.7 |
| 16 | Oak Park High NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 6.7 |
| 17 | Staley High NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 6.7 |
| 18 | Winnetonka High NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 6.3 |
| 19 | Park Hill High PARK HILL | 5.8 |
| 20 | St Teresa's Academy | 5.5 |
| 21 | Hogan Preparatory Academy Charter HOGAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY | 5.4 |
| 22 | Frontier Schl of Excellence-u Charter FRONTIER SCHOOLS | 5.3 |
| 23 | Crossroads Preparatory Academy Charter CROSSROADS CHARTER SCHOOLS | 5.3 |
| 24 | Guadalupe Centers High School Charter GUADALUPE CENTERS SCHOOLS | 5.2 |
| 25 | Central High School KANSAS CITY 33 | 4.6 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Missouri education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Missouri. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High Schools in Kansas City
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Kansas City's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in Kansas City
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Kansas City's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in Missouri, with 33 schools spanning 32 school districts, plus 10 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high school in Kansas City, Missouri?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Lincoln College Prep. is the top-rated high school in Kansas City with a composite score of 9.0/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many high schools are in Kansas City, Missouri?
Kansas City has 33 high schools, including 10 charter schools. Of these, 31 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Kansas City?
The average composite score for Kansas City high schools is 6.2/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Missouri).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Missouri, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Missouri, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Kansas City high school rankings?
Yes. Kansas City has 10 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.