Best Schools in Springfield, Missouri
82 schools · 47 Elementary · 10 Middle · 10 High · 15 Other
Choosing a school in Springfield?
Use this page to compare every school in Springfield 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.
Pershing Elem.
Elementary · Springfield R-xii. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Pleasant View Elem.
Elementary · Springfield R-xii. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Bingham Elem.
Elementary · Springfield R-xii. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Springfield for 2026 are Pershing Elem. (9.1/10), Pleasant View Elem. (8.8/10), and Bingham Elem. (8.7/10), 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
82
63 public · 19 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$206,571
home value · ACS
Districts
5
serving the city
Schools
82
63 public · 19 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$206,571
home value · ACS
Districts
5
serving the city
Rates 9.1/10 despite 54% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.5 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 Springfield schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Springfield
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 82). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pershing Elem. | 9.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Pleasant View Elem. | 8.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Bingham Elem. | 8.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Central High | 8.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Carver Middle | 8.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Watkins Elem. | 8.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Bissett Elem. | 8.1 / 10 |
| 8 | York Elem. | 8.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Willard Central Elem. | 8.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Mcgregor Elem. | 7.9 / 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
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $62,096
- Median home value
- $206,571
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 47%
42% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Springfield compares
Missouri rank
#105 of 258
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above Missouri avg (6.3)
Median household income
$62k
94% of Missouri median
Schools in this city
71
Education Snapshot
Springfield, MissouriSpringfield's school system spans 82 schools across 5 districts, enrolling roughly 30,517 students — 47 elementary campuses, 10 middle schools, 10 high schools, and 15 combined or specialized programs. The 71 scored schools average 6.4/10 on the MySchoolScout composite, a notch above Missouri's state average of 6.3/10, which carries more weight considering that Springfield's median household income of $55,265 runs 23% below the Missouri state median of $72,114. That income gap typically drags composite ratings lower; Springfield clearing the state bar under those conditions is a meaningful signal. About 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. With 5 separate districts operating within city limits, school-by-school variation runs wider than the 6.4/10 city average implies — the list below shows that spread, and the range of individual ratings is sharper than the headline figure suggests.
About Schools in Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri gives parents genuine choice. The city's 56 ranked public schools span a meaningful performance range, averaging 6.3 out of 10 — a solid baseline that reflects a mix of strong performers and schools still working toward consistency. With 20 schools scoring 7 or above, 36% of the district clears a threshold most parents would consider competitive, giving families real options without having to chase a single standout institution.
Central High anchors the top of the list at 8.7 out of 10, the city's highest-rated school and a strong destination for high schoolers whose families can make the location work. At the elementary level, the concentration of quality is notable: Watkins and McBride each earn 8.2, while Pershing and Walt Disney Elementary both score 8.0. Four elementary schools hitting 8.0 or above in the same city tells parents that strong foundational years are achievable across multiple neighborhoods — not confined to one corner of town.
The gap between the city's average (6.3) and its top tier (8.0–8.7) matters for research strategy. Springfield is not a flat, uniformly performing district. Schools in the lower half of the ranked 56 lag noticeably behind the leaders, which means zip code and assignment zone have real consequences for a child's experience. Parents who assume proximity to a top-rated neighborhood guarantees a top-rated school should verify the assignment boundaries directly with Springfield Public Schools before committing to a home.
For most families, the practical takeaway is this: Springfield rewards deliberate school shopping. The elementary tier especially offers several high-performing options, so parents of younger children have the strongest selection to compare. Families with high schoolers should look closely at Central High while also benchmarking any assigned school against the 7.0 threshold — a quick filter that narrows the 56-school field to the 20 that consistently outperform the district average. Use those ratings as a starting point, then layer in specific program offerings, commute, and extracurriculars before making a final call.
Elementary Schools
47 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 155 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.1 |
| 2 | 176 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.8 |
| 3 | 395 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 |
| 4 | 250 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 |
| 5 | 204 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 |
| 6 | 227 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 |
| 7 | 402 students · Pre-K–4th | 8.0 |
| 8 | 279 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.9 |
| 9 | 333 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 |
| 10 | 415 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.8 |
Show all 47 elementary schools in Springfield
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 632 students · 6th–8th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 746 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 |
| 3 | 501 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 |
| 4 | 693 students · 6th–8th | 6.9 |
| 5 | 409 students · 6th–8th | 6.4 |
| 6 | 372 students · 6th–8th | 6.4 |
| 7 | 427 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 |
| 8 | 322 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
| 9 | 289 students · 5th–6th | 5.3 |
| 10 | 509 students · 6th–8th | 4.9 |
High Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,449 students · 6th–12th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | 1,918 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 | ||
| 3 | 1,079 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 | ||
| 4 | 1,369 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 | ||
| 5 | 1,274 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 | ||
| 6 | 17 students · 6th–12th | — | ||
| 7 | 16 students · 6th–12th | — | ||
| 8 | 14 students · 6th–12th | — | ||
| 9 | 12 students · 5th–12th | — | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Springfield Catholic High School
Private
380 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 | ||
Other Schools
15 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 885 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.9 | ||
| 2 | 152 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.3 | ||
| 3 | 118 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.2 | ||
| 4 | 216 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.8 | ||
| 5 | 38 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.5 | ||
| 6 | 1,747 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.4 | ||
| 7 | 139 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
| Private Schools 8 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | The Summit Preparatory School
Private
136 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.7 | ||
| 2 | Lakeland Regional School
Private
95 students · UG–UG | 6.4 | ||
| 3 | Dayspring Christian School
Private
191 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.3 | ||
Show all 15 other schools in Springfield
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Springfield
Springfield, Missouri · 82 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 8 ZIP codes
Median Income
$62,096
Median Home Value
$206,571
Median Rent
$938/mo
Population
236,423
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
47%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
27.1%
Community Profile
Springfield has a median household income of $62,096. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $206,571, with a median rent of $938/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Missouri
- Elementary
- 47
- Middle
- 10
- High
- 10
- Other
- 15
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Missouri
Top metros statewide by school count.
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 Springfield, Missouri
How many schools are in Springfield, Missouri?
Springfield has 82 schools, including 63 public and 19 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Springfield, Missouri?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Springfield is 6.5 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 Springfield, Missouri?
The top-ranked school in Springfield on MySchoolScout is Pershing Elem. with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Springfield, Missouri?
The top-ranked elementary school in Springfield on MySchoolScout is Pershing Elem. with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Springfield, Missouri?
The top-ranked middle school in Springfield on MySchoolScout is Carver Middle with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best high school in Springfield, Missouri?
The top-ranked high school in Springfield on MySchoolScout is Central High with a composite score of 8.5/10.
How many school districts serve Springfield, Missouri?
Springfield is served by 5 school districts: Division of Youth Service, Mo Schls for the Sev Disabled, Springfield R-xii, Sturgeon R-v, Willard R-ii.
What is the education level in Springfield, Missouri?
According to Census data, 31% of adults in Springfield have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Springfield, Missouri?
The median household income in Springfield is approximately $62,096 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Springfield, Missouri?
Yes, Springfield has 19 private schools alongside 63 public schools. The top-rated private school is The Summit Preparatory School with a score of 7.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Springfield, Missouri?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Springfield is 12.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Springfield, 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.