Best Schools in Kansas City, Missouri
197 schools · 114 Elementary · 27 Middle · 33 High · 23 Other
Choosing a school in Kansas City?
Use this page to compare every school in Kansas City by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Notre Dame De Sion School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Lincoln College Prep.
High · Kansas City 33. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Frontier Schl of Innovation-m
Middle · Frontier Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Kansas City for 2026 are Notre Dame De Sion School (9.3/10), Lincoln College Prep. (9.0/10), and Frontier Schl of Innovation-m (8.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
197
152 public · 45 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$228,836
home value · ACS
Districts
32
serving the city
Schools
197
152 public · 45 private
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$228,836
home value · ACS
Districts
32
serving the city
Rates 9.0/10 despite 100% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.2 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Kansas City schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Kansas City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 197). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notre Dame De Sion School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Lincoln College Prep. | 9.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Frontier Schl of Innovation-m | 8.9 / 10 |
| 4 | University Academy-middle | 8.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Walden Middle | 8.6 / 10 |
| 6 | St Patrick School | 8.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Notre Dame De Sion High School | 8.6 / 10 |
| 8 | St Regis Academy | 8.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Ewing Marion Kauffman High | 8.4 / 10 |
| 10 | Border Star Montessori | 8.4 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $75,565
- Median home value
- $228,836
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 37%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 56%
35% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Kansas City compares
Missouri rank
#143 of 258
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below Missouri avg (6.3)
Median household income
$76k
115% of Missouri median
Schools in this city
186
Education Snapshot
Kansas City, MissouriKansas City, Missouri spreads 197 schools across 32 districts, enrolling roughly 79,872 students in a system shaped by unusually high district fragmentation. Elementary programs dominate the mix — 114 of the city's campuses serve K–5 students — while 43 charter schools add a parallel-choice layer for families across the city. Composite ratings average 6.2/10 across 186 scored schools, a slim but consistent step below Missouri's state average of 6.3/10. The city's household income context is marginally stronger than the state baseline: a median of $73,249 runs 2% above Missouri's $72,114, and 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Parents comparing districts should expect wide variance in performance beneath that 6.2 average; the 32-district landscape means adjacent ZIP codes can produce meaningfully different school options without crossing a county line.
About Schools in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri puts 147 ranked public schools in front of parents — a wide field that spans high-performing neighborhood elementaries, solid middle schools, and a long tail of schools working to close persistent achievement gaps. The city average sits at 5.9 out of 10, which places Kansas City in the middle of Missouri's urban districts. That average matters less than the spread: 37 schools, roughly one in four, score 7.0 or above, meaning strong options exist across multiple zip codes if parents know where to look.
The top of the rankings is anchored by Hale Cook Elementary, which scores 9.2 — the highest mark among all 147 ranked schools and a meaningful outlier relative to the city average. English Landing Elementary (8.8) and Hawthorn Elementary (8.6) round out a cluster of high-performing elementaries, suggesting that the elementary tier holds the most concentrated pockets of excellence in Kansas City. The middle school picture is also encouraging: Walden Middle (8.7) and Lakeview Middle (8.5) rank among the top five schools citywide, which matters for families thinking beyond the next enrollment decision and planning a K–8 trajectory.
For practical school searching, the 25% threshold is the most useful filter. One in four schools clears the 7.0 mark, so parents willing to consider schools outside their immediate neighborhood have real choices. District boundaries in Kansas City are fragmented — multiple districts operate within city limits — so a school's district affiliation often affects enrollment eligibility more than geography alone. Confirm which district a specific address falls under before narrowing your list.
Parents moving to Kansas City should cross-reference these rankings with school-level trend data, not just current scores. A school at 6.2 on an upward trajectory may be a stronger long-term bet than one at 7.1 that has plateaued. Use the rankings as a first filter, then dig into individual school profiles for test score growth, student-to-teacher ratios, and program offerings before making a final call.
Elementary Schools
114 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 254 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.4 |
| 2 | 455 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.4 |
| 3 | 251 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 |
| 4 | 672 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 |
| 5 | 330 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 |
| 6 | 170 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 |
| 7 | 624 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 |
| 8 | 351 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 |
| 9 | 429 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 |
| 10 | 391 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 |
Show all 114 elementary schools in Kansas City
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
27 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 302 students · 6th–8th | 8.9 |
| 2 | 277 students · 6th–8th | 8.8 |
| 3 | 745 students · 6th–8th | 8.6 |
| 4 | 578 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 |
| 5 | 135 students · 5th–8th | 7.6 |
| 6 | 869 students · 6th–6th | 7.5 |
| 7 | 686 students · 7th–8th | 7.4 |
| 8 | 354 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 |
| 9 | 602 students · 7th–8th | 6.8 |
| 10 | 651 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 |
Show all 27 middle schools in Kansas City
High Schools
33 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 958 students · 9th–12th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 399 students · 9th–12th | 8.4 |
| 3 | 353 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
| 4 | 133 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 |
| 5 | 209 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
| 6 | 677 students · 7th–12th | 7.3 |
| 7 | 1,690 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 8 | 107 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 |
| 9 | 1,240 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
| 10 | 1,744 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
Show all 33 high schools in Kansas City
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
23 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 286 students · 9th–11th | 5.6 | ||
| 2 | 118 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.4 | ||
| 3 | 182 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.2 | ||
| 4 | 40 students · Pre-K–12th | 3.7 | ||
| 5 | 398 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.2 | ||
| 6 | 39 students · Kindergarten–12th | 2.9 | ||
| 7 | 24 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
| 8 | 12 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
| 9 | 28 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
Private Schools14 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 485 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 23 other schools in Kansas City
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri · 197 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 39 ZIP codes
Median Income
$75,565
Median Home Value
$228,836
Median Rent
$1,254/mo
Population
583,476
College Educated
37%
Homeownership
56%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Community Profile
Kansas City has a median household income of $75,565. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,836, with a median rent of $1,254/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Missouri
- Elementary
- 114
- Middle
- 27
- High
- 33
- Other
- 23
Resources
School Districts (32)
DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICE
41 schools · 570 students
KC INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
1 school · 654 students
HOGAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY
3 schools · 901 students
GORDON PARKS ELEM.
1 school · 114 students
GENESIS SCHOOL INC.
1 school · 209 students
ACADEMIE LAFAYETTE
4 schools · 1,352 students
SCUOLA VITA NUOVA
1 school · 391 students
MO SCHLS FOR THE SEV DISABLED
35 schools · 692 students
BROOKSIDE CHARTER SCH.
2 schools · 713 students
ALLEN VILLAGE
5 schools · 422 students
UNIVERSITY ACADEMY
3 schools · 1,091 students
LEE A. TOLBERT COM. ACADEMY
1 school · 422 students
GUADALUPE CENTERS SCHOOLS
3 schools · 1,609 students
KIPP: ENDEAVOR ACADEMY
2 schools · 852 students
FRONTIER SCHOOLS
5 schools · 1,539 students
DELASALLE CHARTER SCHOOL
2 schools · 206 students
EWING MARION KAUFFMAN SCHOOL
2 schools · 909 students
HOPE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
1 school · 96 students
CROSSROADS CHARTER SCHOOLS
3 schools · 1,020 students
ACADEMY FOR INTEGRATED ARTS
1 school · 270 students
CITIZENS OF THE WORLD CHARTER
2 schools · 368 students
KANSAS CITY GIRLS PREP ACADEMY
2 schools · 162 students
CENTER 58
8 schools · 2,454 students
GRANDVIEW C-4
9 schools · 3,689 students
HICKMAN MILLS C-1
13 schools · 4,981 students
KANSAS CITY 33
33 schools · 14,694 students
LEE'S SUMMIT R-VII
29 schools · 17,797 students
LIBERTY 53
20 schools · 12,154 students
NORTH KANSAS CITY 74
34 schools · 21,015 students
PARK HILL
20 schools · 11,915 students
PLATTE CO. R-III
8 schools · 4,283 students
RAYTOWN C-2
20 schools · 7,953 students
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Missouri
Top metros statewide by school count.
Featured Rankings
See our in-depth rankings with interactive maps, score breakdowns, and school spotlights.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Kansas City, Missouri
How many schools are in Kansas City, Missouri?
Kansas City has 197 schools, including 152 public and 45 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Kansas City, Missouri?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Kansas City is 6.2 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Kansas City, Missouri?
The top-ranked school in Kansas City on MySchoolScout is Notre Dame De Sion School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Kansas City, Missouri?
The top-ranked elementary school in Kansas City on MySchoolScout is Notre Dame De Sion School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Kansas City, Missouri?
The top-ranked middle school in Kansas City on MySchoolScout is Frontier Schl of Innovation-m with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best high school in Kansas City, Missouri?
The top-ranked high school in Kansas City on MySchoolScout is Lincoln College Prep. with a composite score of 9.0/10.
How many school districts serve Kansas City, Missouri?
Kansas City is served by 32 school districts: Division of Youth Service, Kc International Academy, Hogan Preparatory Academy, Gordon Parks Elem., Genesis School Inc., Academie Lafayette, Scuola Vita Nuova, Mo Schls for the Sev Disabled, Brookside Charter Sch., Allen Village, University Academy, Lee A. Tolbert Com. Academy, Guadalupe Centers Schools, Kipp: Endeavor Academy, Frontier Schools, Delasalle Charter School, Ewing Marion Kauffman School, Hope Leadership Academy, Crossroads Charter Schools, Academy for Integrated Arts, Citizens of the World Charter, Kansas City Girls Prep Academy, Center 58, Grandview C-4, Hickman Mills C-1, Kansas City 33, Lee's Summit R-vii, Liberty 53, North Kansas City 74, Park Hill, Platte Co. R-iii, Raytown C-2.
What is the education level in Kansas City, Missouri?
According to Census data, 37% of adults in Kansas City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Kansas City, Missouri?
The median household income in Kansas City is approximately $75,565 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Kansas City, Missouri?
Yes, Kansas City has 45 private schools alongside 152 public schools. The top-rated private school is Notre Dame De Sion School with a score of 9.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Kansas City, Missouri?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Kansas City is 12.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Kansas City, Missouri?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Missouri Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.