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Average

#1528 of 2,216 schools in MO

Buffalo High

High School · DALLAS CO. R-I

500 W MAIN, Buffalo, MO 65622

Enrollment

522

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Buffalo

#2 of 3

public schools

Missouri high schools

#379 of 532

In district

#2 of 3

DALLAS CO. R-I

About Buffalo High

Buffalo High is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Buffalo, Missouri. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 522 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1. With 36 full-time equivalent teachers, Buffalo High aims to provide personalized support for each student.

Academically, the school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.5 out of 10 and it ranks at #1960 among Missouri’s 2234 high schools, placing it in the 12th percentile statewide. In terms of proficiency rates, 39% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading, while only 22% achieve this level in Math. These scores indicate that there is room for academic growth at Buffalo High.

The school’s setting is a quiet rural community where the focus is on supporting student development within the local context.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Buffalo High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Buffalo High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected-12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness7.2Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,943

Buffalo High — Students at Buffalo High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
37%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Buffalo High Compares

See how Buffalo High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in MO
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

500 W MAIN, Buffalo, MO 65622

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Buffalo High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HALFWAY SECONDARY (rated 7.1/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Halfway), which scores notably higher. Another option is SKYLINE HIGH (rated 7.0/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Urbana), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BOLIVAR HIGH (rated 6.3/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Bolivar), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.5 mi
School Distance Rating
MALLORY ELEM. Buffalo 0.2 mi 5.3
BUFFALO MIDDLE Buffalo 1.1 mi 7.0
HALFWAY ELEM. Halfway 8.1 mi 3.3
HALFWAY SECONDARY Halfway 8.1 mi 7.1
MEADOWLARK HILL Tunas 14.7 mi 3.8
PLEASANT HOPE HIGH Pleasant Hope 15.7 mi 4.5
PLEASANT HOPE ELEM. Pleasant Hope 16.1 mi 4.6
PLEASANT HOPE MIDDLE Pleasant Hope 16.2 mi 5.9
FAIR GROVE HIGH Fair Grove 17.9 mi 5.6
FAIR GROVE MIDDLE Fair Grove 17.9 mi 6.0
FAIR GROVE ELEM. Fair Grove 18.0 mi 8.0
SKYLINE ELEM. Urbana 19.2 mi 8.1
SKYLINE HIGH Urbana 19.2 mi 7.0
SKYLINE MIDDLE Urbana 19.2 mi 5.9
CONWAY HIGH SCHOOLS Conway 17.3 mi 4.9
EZARD ELEM. Conway 17.4 mi 6.7
EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CNTR Bolivar 16.4 mi 6.1
BOLIVAR HIGH Bolivar 16.4 mi 6.3
BOLIVAR PRIMARY Bolivar 16.5 mi 6.4
BOLIVAR INTERMEDIATE SCH. Bolivar 16.5 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 65622 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,231

Median Home Value

$143,200

Median Rent

$659/mo

Population

7,591

College Educated

18.8%

Homeownership

67.9%

Avg Commute

33.3 min

Poverty Rate

25.3%

Median Age

44

Community Profile

The community surrounding Buffalo High has a median household income of $44,231. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,200, with a median rent of $659/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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
HOUSTON HIGH Houston, MO 5.5
OSAGE HIGH Osage Beach, MO 5.5
POTOSI HIGH Potosi, MO 5.5
ST TERESA'S ACADEMY Kansas City, MO 5.5
Trenton High School Trenton, MO 5.5
ADRIAN SR. HIGH Adrian, MO 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Buffalo High

What grades does Buffalo High serve?

Buffalo High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Buffalo High?

Buffalo High has an enrollment of approximately 522 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Buffalo High?

The student-teacher ratio at Buffalo High is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Buffalo High rank in MO?

Buffalo High is ranked #1528 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Buffalo High's MySchoolScout rating?

Buffalo High has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Buffalo High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buffalo High has 22.0% math proficiency and 38.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Buffalo High a charter school?

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

Is Buffalo High a Title I school?

No, Buffalo High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buffalo High?

54.0% of students at Buffalo High 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
522
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Dallas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

DALLAS CO. R-I
District Enrollment
1,723
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,875
District Rank
#2 of 3

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 methodology

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