The brief
The top-rated high schools in Kansas City for 2026 are Frontier Stem High School (8.7/10), Lincoln College Prep. (8.6/10), and Ewing Marion Kauffman High (7.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 23 high schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
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.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 18.7
- 28.6
- 37.9
- 47.8
- 57.6
- 67.6
- 77.5
- 87.4
- 97.1
- 106.7
All 23 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.All 23
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Frontier Stem High SchoolcharterFrontier Schoolsstudents 353student-teacher ratio 9.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 2Lincoln College Prep.Kansas City 33students 958student-teacher ratio 17.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 3Ewing Marion Kauffman HighcharterEwing Marion Kauffman Schoolstudents 399student-teacher ratio 11.7:1grades 9th–12th
- 4University Academy-UppercharterUniversity Academystudents 209student-teacher ratio 12.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 5Paseo Acad. of Performing ArtsKansas City 33students 677student-teacher ratio 11.5:1grades 7th–12th
- 6Oak Park HighNorth Kansas City 74students 1,744student-teacher ratio 17.6:1grades 9th–12th
- 7North Kansas City HighNorth Kansas City 74students 1,690student-teacher ratio 16.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 8Staley HighNorth Kansas City 74students 2,006student-teacher ratio 20.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 9Allen Village High SchoolcharterAllen Villagestudents 133student-teacher ratio 13.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 10Ruskin High SchoolHickman Mills C-1students 1,240student-teacher ratio 13.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 11Winnetonka HighNorth Kansas City 74students 1,254student-teacher ratio 14.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 12Frontier Schl of Excellence-UcharterFrontier Schoolsstudents 168student-teacher ratio 8.8:1grades 9th–12th
- 13Academie Lafayette Armour IhscharterAcademie Lafayettestudents 107student-teacher ratio 15.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 14Park Hill HighPark Hillstudents 1,936student-teacher ratio 17.8:1grades 9th–12th
- 15Crossroads Preparatory AcademycharterCrossroads Charter Schoolsstudents 414student-teacher ratio 10.3:1grades 7th–12th
- 16Guadalupe Centers High SchoolcharterGuadalupe Centers Schoolsstudents 464student-teacher ratio 12.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 17Hogan Preparatory AcademycharterHogan Preparatory Academystudents 324student-teacher ratio 10.5:1grades 9th–12th
- 18Central High SchoolKansas City 33students 534student-teacher ratio 13.0:1grades 9th–12th
- 19Center Sr. HighCenter 58students 695student-teacher ratio 12.2:1grades 9th–12th
- 20Delasalle Charter High SchoolcharterDelasalle Charter Schoolstudents 206student-teacher ratio 20.6:1grades 9th–12th
- 21Northeast HighKansas City 33students 697student-teacher ratio 17.0:1grades 9th–12th
- 22Southeast High SchoolKansas City 33students 531student-teacher ratio 16.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 23East High SchoolKansas City 33students 1,066student-teacher ratio 14.0:1grades 9th–12th
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.
The map
The top 23 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Frontier Stem High School
Frontier Schools
353 students · 9.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 4% in Missouri · charter
- Academics
- 9.7
- Growth
- 8.7
- Environment
- 9.1
- 2
Lincoln College Prep.
Kansas City 33
958 students · 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 5% in Missouri
- Academics
- 9.7
- Growth
- 9.8
- Environment
- 5.7
- 3
Ewing Marion Kauffman High
Ewing Marion Kauffman School
399 students · 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 14% in Missouri · charter
- Academics
- 7.7
- Growth
- 7.8
- Environment
- 9.6
- 4
University Academy-Upper
University Academy
209 students · 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 16% in Missouri · charter
- Academics
- 9.5
- Growth
- 5.1
- Environment
- 9.4
- 5
Paseo Acad. of Performing Arts
Kansas City 33
677 students · 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–12th
Top 21% in Missouri
- Academics
- 6.1
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 8.4
- 6
Oak Park High
North Kansas City 74
1,744 students · 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 22% in Missouri
- Academics
- 7.8
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 2.0
- 7
North Kansas City High
North Kansas City 74
1,690 students · 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 24% in Missouri
- Academics
- 7.2
- Growth
- 9.8
- Environment
- 2.2
- 8
Staley High
North Kansas City 74
2,006 students · 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 26% in Missouri
- Academics
- 8.7
- Growth
- 8.7
- Environment
- 2.1
- 9
Allen Village High School
Allen Village
133 students · 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 31% in Missouri · charter
- Academics
- 7.8
- Growth
- 4.2
- Environment
- 9.1
- 10
Ruskin High School
Hickman Mills C-1
1,240 students · 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 42% in Missouri
- Academics
- 6.1
- Growth
- 9.9
- Environment
- 4.9
Questions
What is the best high school in Kansas City, Missouri?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Frontier Stem High School is the top-rated high school in Kansas City with a composite score of 8.7/10. 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 35 high schools, including 10 charter schools. Of these, 33 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Kansas City?
Among 33 Kansas City high schools with a composite score, the average is 6.3/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Missouri).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Schools with enough data receive 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?
Kansas City has 10 charter high schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
How should I use this ranking?
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.
Explore more
- Best elementary schools in Kansas City2026 rankings and ratings
- Best middle schools in Kansas City2026 rankings and ratings
- All 197 schools in Kansas CityElementary, middle and high
- Missouri schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings