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#1649 of 2,216 schools in MO

Jefferson High School

High School · JEFFERSON CO. R-VII

7 BLUE JAY WAY, Festus, MO 63028

Enrollment

323

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

5.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Festus

#8 of 8

public schools

Missouri high schools

#411 of 532

In district

#4 of 5

JEFFERSON CO. R-VII

Academic performance

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Jefferson High School

Jefferson High School serves 323 students in grades 9-12 in Festus, Missouri, offering a close-knit educational environment with a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 and 22 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1/10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #399 out of 2,234 Missouri high schools, placing it in the 82nd percentile statewide. Students show strong performance in English Language Arts, with 67% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.

Math performance shows room for growth, with 47% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school's overall academic score of 8.8/10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence within its rural community setting. Jefferson High School draws from a stable community where the median household income is $71,004 and median home values reach $201,200.

The surrounding area maintains a low poverty rate of 8.0%, though only 24% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, suggesting the school serves many first-generation college-bound students. Located at 7 Blue Jay Way, Jefferson High School sits in a rural area near town, providing students with both the benefits of small-town community connections and access to broader educational and extracurricular opportunities in the greater Jefferson County region.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Jefferson High School 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 Progress6.9Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
College Readiness1.9Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation2.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,250

Jefferson High School — Students at Jefferson High School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 65.3%
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
64.5%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
67%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Jefferson High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in MO
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

Location

7 BLUE JAY WAY, Festus, MO 63028

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jefferson High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST PIUS X CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CRYSTAL CITY HIGH (rated 6.2/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Crystal City), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, HERCULANEUM HIGH (rated 6.0/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Herculaneum), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Festus, see our Festus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.1 mi
School Distance Rating
TELEGRAPH INTERMEDIATE Festus 0.3 mi 5.4
JEFFERSON R-VII PRESCHOOL Festus 0.3 mi 5.2
DANBY-RUSH TOWER MIDDLE Festus 0.4 mi 6.9
PLATTIN PRIMARY Festus 1.0 mi 6.7
ST PIUS X CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Festus 3.8 mi 6.5
CRYSTAL CITY ELEM. Crystal City 5.0 mi 7.6
CRYSTAL CITY HIGH Crystal City 5.3 mi 6.2
TWIN CITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Festus 5.7 mi 7.6
FESTUS ELEM. Festus 5.6 mi 5.5
FESTUS MIDDLE Festus 5.6 mi 6.3
FESTUS INTERMEDIATE Festus 5.7 mi 6.8
FESTUS SR. HIGH Festus 5.8 mi 5.9
HERCULANEUM HIGH Herculaneum 7.6 mi 6.0
TAYLOR EARLY CHILDHOOD Herculaneum 7.7 mi
SENN-THOMAS MIDDLE Herculaneum 8.2 mi 5.7
ATHENA ELEM. Desoto 7.4 mi 7.8
PEVELY ELEM. Pevely 9.2 mi 7.0
MAPAVILLE SCHOOL Mapaville 9.5 mi 6.8
BLOOMSDALE ELEM. Bloomsdale 10.3 mi 7.9
Valmeyer High School Valmeyer 11.1 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 63028 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,468

Median Home Value

$221,600

Median Rent

$937/mo

Population

27,913

College Educated

24.4%

Homeownership

74.5%

Avg Commute

30.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.2%

Median Age

39.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jefferson High School has a median household income of $76,468. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,600, with a median rent of $937/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
BEAUMONT CTE HIGH SCHOOL St. Louis, MO 5.3
CENTRAL VISUAL/PERF. ARTS HIGH St. Louis, MO 5.3
CHARLESTON HIGH Charleston, MO 5.3
WARSAW HIGH SCHOOL Warsaw, MO 5.3
WILLOW SPRINGS HIGH Willow Springs, MO 5.3
EAST PRAIRIE HIGH East Prairie, MO 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson High School

What grades does Jefferson High School serve?

Jefferson High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Jefferson High School?

Jefferson High School has an enrollment of approximately 323 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson High School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jefferson High School rank in MO?

Jefferson High School is ranked #1649 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Jefferson High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Jefferson High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson High School has 52.8% math proficiency and 65.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Jefferson High School a charter school?

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

Is Jefferson High School a Title I school?

No, Jefferson High School is not currently a Title I school.

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

20.7% of students at Jefferson High School 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,212/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Festus). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Jefferson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

JEFFERSON CO. R-VII
District Enrollment
1,075
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,339
District Rank
#4 of 5

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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