Skip to main content

Excellent

#48 of 2,221 schools in MO

Top 2% in state

Buckner Elem.

Elementary School · FORT OSAGE R-I

25102 E. US 24 Highway, Independence, MO 64056

Enrollment

320

Student-Teacher

11.9:1

Score

9.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri schools

#48 of 2,221

In Independence

#1 of 35

public schools

In district

#1 of 9

FORT OSAGE R-I

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Buckner Elem.?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Buckner Elem.

9.0/10

Elementary School in Independence · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Grain Valley North Middle Schl

8.4/10

5.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Grain Valley Early Childhd Ctr

4.5/10

5.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Buckner Elem.

Buckner Elem. is a public elementary school in Independence, MO, part of FORT OSAGE R-I. Buckner Elem. serves approximately 320 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Buckner Elem. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #48 of 2,221 schools in MO.

Structured state assessment records for Buckner Elem. show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.0 pts above district
  • This school 9.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.0
  • MO avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Buckner Elem. sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress10.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+15.38 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.7% (2025 MAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency53% (2025 MAP)
Math vs. State Avg+12.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.7 pts
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 MAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2025 MAP)
vs. Expected+9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,731
Chronic Absenteeism23.4%

Buckner Elem. — Students at Buckner Elem. score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO MAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.2% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 51.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
48.1% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 35 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
46%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
60.7%
ELA
53%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 10.0/10.

How Buckner Elem. Compares

See how Buckner Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.0/10
98th percentile in MO
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
10.0/10
Excellent
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

25102 E. US 24 Highway, Independence, MO 64056

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Buckner Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. JAMES LEWIS ELEM. (rated 9.2/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Blue Springs), with a very similar rating. Another option is JAMES WALKER ELEM. (rated 8.1/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Blue Springs), with a comparable rating. Additionally, PRAIRIE BRANCH ELEM. (rated 7.9/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Grain Valley), a more accessible option. For more schools in Independence, see our Independence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.6 mi
School Distance Rating
GRAIN VALLEY NORTH MIDDLE SCHL Grain Valley 5.9 mi 8.4
GRAIN VALLEY EARLY CHILDHD CTR Grain Valley 5.9 mi 4.5
FIRE PRAIRIE MIDDLE Independence 4.7 mi 5.7
OSAGE TRAIL MIDDLE Independence 4.9 mi 3.1
FORT OSAGE HIGH Independence 5.1 mi 4.9
INDIAN TRAILS ELEM. Independence 5.2 mi 4.9
SHELTERWOOD Independence 5.5 mi 6.1
PRAIRIE BRANCH ELEM. Grain Valley 6.9 mi 7.9
ORRICK ELEM. Orrick 6.4 mi 5.6
ORRICK HIGH Orrick 6.4 mi 6.2
BRITTANY HILL MIDDLE Blue Springs 7.0 mi 7.9
LUCY FRANKLIN ELEM. Blue Springs 7.2 mi 7.6
MATTHEWS ELEM. Grain Valley 7.9 mi 4.6
JAMES LEWIS ELEM. Blue Springs 7.3 mi 9.2
SNI-A-BAR ELEM. Grain Valley 8.8 mi 7.8
GRAIN VALLEY HIGH Grain Valley 8.9 mi 7.2
JAMES WALKER ELEM. Blue Springs 8.9 mi 8.1
ST JOHN LALANDE SCHOOL Blue Springs 8.8 mi 6.3
MISSOURI CITY ELEM. Missouri City 8.7 mi
BLUE HILLS ELEM. Independence 7.6 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 64056 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,696

Median Home Value

$176,400

Median Rent

$1,290/mo

Population

17,608

College Educated

19.6%

Homeownership

62.2%

Avg Commute

26.5 min

Poverty Rate

18.8%

Median Age

32.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CLOPTON ELEM. Clarksville, MO 9.0
FLINT HILL ELEMENTARY Wentzville, MO 9.0
HAMILTON ELEM. Hamilton, MO 9.0
MOUNT HOPE ELEM. O'Fallon, MO 9.0
NEW MADRID ELEMENTARY New Madrid, MO 9.0
REED ELEMENTARY St. Louis, MO 9.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Buckner Elem.

What grades does Buckner Elem. serve?

Buckner Elem. serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Buckner Elem.?

Buckner Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 320 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Buckner Elem.?

The student-teacher ratio at Buckner Elem. is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Buckner Elem. rank in MO?

Buckner Elem. ranks #48 of 2,221 schools in MO.

What is Buckner Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?

Buckner Elem. has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Buckner Elem.?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Buckner Elem. has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Buckner Elem. a charter school?

No, Buckner Elem. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Buckner Elem. a Title I school?

No, Buckner Elem. is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buckner Elem.?

40.3% of students at Buckner Elem. qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Jackson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.4%

District

FORT OSAGE R-I
District Enrollment
4,796
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,731
District Rank
#1 of 9

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 rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.