Very Good
#460 of 2,216 schools in MO
Top 21% 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
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Independence
#4 of 35
public schools
Missouri elementary schools
#269 of 1,202
In district
#2 of 9
FORT OSAGE R-I
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Buckner Elem.
Buckner Elementary serves 320 students in kindergarten through fourth grade in the Independence area, earning recognition as one of Missouri's stronger elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking #304 out of 2,234 schools statewide, Buckner Elementary places in the 86th percentile across Missouri. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.9 to 1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.
Academically, students show solid performance with 52% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 47% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect steady academic achievement across the elementary grade levels. Buckner Elementary draws families from a diverse economic community where the median household income is $68,333 and median home values average $159,100.
The surrounding area includes families from various educational backgrounds, with 19% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. While nearly one in five families faces economic challenges, the school serves as an important educational anchor for its community. Located along E.
US 24 Highway in Jackson County, Buckner Elementary sits in a rural setting that provides students with a more spacious, community-oriented learning environment away from urban density.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Buckner Elem. may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Buckner Elem. — Students at Buckner Elem. score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.0/10.
How Buckner Elem. Compares
See how Buckner Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 52% (2022).
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. SNI-A-BAR ELEM. (rated 8.8/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Grain Valley), which scores notably higher. Another option is ORRICK ELEM. (rated 8.2/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Orrick), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MATTHEWS ELEM. (rated 7.3/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Grain Valley), with a very similar rating. 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 | 7.7 |
| GRAIN VALLEY EARLY CHILDHD CTR Grain Valley | 5.9 mi | 6.8 |
| FIRE PRAIRIE MIDDLE Independence | 4.7 mi | 4.8 |
| OSAGE TRAIL MIDDLE Independence | 4.9 mi | 6.4 |
| FORT OSAGE HIGH Independence | 5.1 mi | 4.0 |
| INDIAN TRAILS ELEM. Independence | 5.2 mi | 5.9 |
| SHELTERWOOD Independence | 5.5 mi | 6.1 |
| PRAIRIE BRANCH ELEM. Grain Valley | 6.9 mi | 7.0 |
| ORRICK ELEM. Orrick | 6.4 mi | 8.2 |
| ORRICK HIGH Orrick | 6.4 mi | 5.6 |
| BRITTANY HILL MIDDLE Blue Springs | 7.0 mi | 6.2 |
| LUCY FRANKLIN ELEM. Blue Springs | 7.2 mi | 5.8 |
| MATTHEWS ELEM. Grain Valley | 7.9 mi | 7.3 |
| JAMES LEWIS ELEM. Blue Springs | 7.3 mi | 5.4 |
| SNI-A-BAR ELEM. Grain Valley | 8.8 mi | 8.8 |
| GRAIN VALLEY HIGH Grain Valley | 8.9 mi | 7.3 |
| JAMES WALKER ELEM. Blue Springs | 8.9 mi | 5.6 |
| 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 | 5.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buckner Elem. has a median household income of $68,696. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,400, with a median rent of $1,290/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.8%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CALLAWAY HILLS ELEM. Holts Summit, MO | 7.5 |
| EDISON ELEM. St. Joseph, MO | 7.5 |
| GLADSTONE ELEMENTARY Kansas City, MO | 7.5 |
| MEADOW HEIGHTS ELEM. Patton, MO | 7.5 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Clayton, MO | 7.5 |
| REEDS SPRING PRIMARY Reeds Spring, MO | 7.5 |
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. is ranked #460 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Buckner Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?
Buckner Elem. has a composite rating of 7.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Buckner Elem.?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buckner Elem. has 47.0% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Independence). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (816) 650-7300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
FORT OSAGE R-I- District Enrollment
- 4,796
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,731
- District Rank
- #2 of 9
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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