Best High Schools
in Kansas City, Missouri
We ranked all 33 high schools in Kansas City. The top 25 scored between 5.4 and 8.2 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Missouri education data
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.
ALLEN VILLAGE HIGH SCHOOL
LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL OF KANSAS CITY
WINNETONKA HIGH
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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within Missouri so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ALLEN VILLAGE HIGH SCHOOL Charter ALLEN VILLAGE | 8.2 |
| 2 | LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL OF KANSAS CITY | 8.0 |
| 3 | WINNETONKA HIGH NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 7.7 |
| 4 | 7933 MAIN ST. | 7.4 |
| 5 | CRISTO REY KANSAS CITY | 7.3 |
| 6 | ST PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL | 7.2 |
| 7 | ACADEMIE LAFAYETTE ARMOUR IHS Charter ACADEMIE LAFAYETTE | 7.1 |
| 8 | EWING MARION KAUFFMAN HIGH Charter EWING MARION KAUFFMAN SCHOOL | 7.1 |
| 9 | THE PLAZA ACADEMY | 7.1 |
| 10 | FRONTIER STEM HIGH SCHOOL Charter FRONTIER SCHOOLS | 7.0 |
| 11 | CORNERSTONE WITH CARE - OZANAM SCHOOL | 6.9 |
| 12 | LINCOLN COLLEGE PREP. KANSAS CITY 33 | 6.8 |
| 13 | PARK HILL HIGH PARK HILL | 6.7 |
| 14 | NORTH KANSAS CITY HIGH NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 6.1 |
| 15 | PASEO ACAD. OF PERFORMING ARTS KANSAS CITY 33 | 6.0 |
| 16 | OAK PARK HIGH NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 6.0 |
| 17 | CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL KANSAS CITY 33 | 5.9 |
| 18 | GUADALUPE CENTERS HIGH SCHOOL Charter GUADALUPE CENTERS SCHOOLS | 5.8 |
| 19 | RUSKIN HIGH SCHOOL HICKMAN MILLS C-1 | 5.8 |
| 20 | HOGAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY Charter HOGAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY | 5.7 |
| 21 | UNIVERSITY ACADEMY-UPPER Charter UNIVERSITY ACADEMY | 5.7 |
| 22 | STALEY HIGH NORTH KANSAS CITY 74 | 5.6 |
| 23 | ST TERESA'S ACADEMY | 5.5 |
| 24 | NORTHEAST HIGH KANSAS CITY 33 | 5.4 |
| 25 | SOUTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL KANSAS CITY 33 | 5.4 |
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, ALLEN VILLAGE HIGH SCHOOL is the top-rated high school in Kansas City with a composite score of 8.2/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
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 6.1/10. 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). 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.