Best Schools in Kansas City, MO — 2026 Rankings
Kansas City, MO has 152 ranked schools. Rising Hill Elementary leads with a 8.0/10 rating. See the full 2026 rankings.
Parents in Kansas City, MO have no shortage of options — the city is home to 152 schools spanning every grade level. We analyzed test scores, student-teacher ratios, and equity metrics to rank every school and surface the ones that stand out.
Kansas City at a Glance
- Total Schools: 152
- Total Students: 69,292
- City Average Score: 4.6/10
- Top School Score: 8.0/10
- Average Student-Teacher Ratio: 12.9:1
- School Types: 91 Elementary, 27 Middle, 25 High, 3 K-12 / Other
- Charter Schools: 43
Top 10 Schools in Kansas City
| Rank | School | Level | Score | Enrollment | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rising Hill Elementary | Elementary | 8.0 | 391 | 13.5:1 |
| 2 | Lakeview Middle | Middle | 7.8 | 651 | 11.4:1 |
| 3 | English Landing Elem. | Elementary | 7.7 | 434 | 13.2:1 |
| 4 | Shoal Creek Elem. | Elementary | 7.5 | 865 | 14.9:1 |
| 5 | Nashua Elementary | Elementary | 7.5 | 358 | 14.9:1 |
| 6 | Hawthorn Elem. | Elementary | 7.5 | 429 | 13.4:1 |
| 7 | University Academy-upper | High | 7.4 | 209 | 12.3:1 |
| 8 | Park Hill High | High | 7.4 | 1,936 | 17.8:1 |
| 9 | Summit Pointe Elem. | Elementary | 7.3 | 541 | 15.0:1 |
| 10 | Bell Prairie Elementary | Elementary | 7.3 | 742 | 16.1:1 |
About Rising Hill Elementary
Rising Hill Elementary leads our Kansas City rankings with a composite score of 8.0 out of 10. The school stands out for strong academics (9.8/10). As a elementary school serving 391 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, it offers a competitive learning environment.
Score Breakdown: How Kansas City’s Top Schools Compare
The gap between the top-ranked and third-ranked school in Kansas City is narrow, meaning families have several equally strong options. Our composite score weighs four factors: academic performance (test scores), student growth over time, equity (how well the school serves all student groups), and environment (class size, teacher ratios, and resources).
Choosing the Right School in Kansas City
The best school for your family depends on more than a number. Consider your child’s learning style, the school’s approach to instruction, extracurricular offerings, and practical factors like transportation and before/after care.
Our rankings identify the schools with the strongest measurable outcomes — use them as a foundation for your research, not a replacement for it.
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