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Average

#1681 of 2,221 schools in MO

Lafayette High

High School · ST. JOSEPH

412 HIGHLAND AVE, St. Joseph, MO 64505

Enrollment

680

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

5.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri schools

#1,681 of 2,221

In St. Joseph

#16 of 22

public schools

In district

#15 of 20

ST. JOSEPH

Equity

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Lafayette High

5.1/10

High School in St. Joseph · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lindbergh Elem.

5.8/10

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

Of St. Joseph

7.2/10

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

About Lafayette High

Lafayette High is a public high school in St. Joseph, MO, part of ST. JOSEPH.

Lafayette High serves approximately 680 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Lafayette High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,681 of 2,221 schools in MO. Structured state assessment records for Lafayette High show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 4.9
  • MO avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

37% of students at Lafayette High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-0.14 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.2% (2025 MAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.2% (2025 MAP)
Math vs. State Avg-18.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.2 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2025 MAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2025 MAP)
vs. Expected+8.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate72%
AP Participation10.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,067
Chronic Absenteeism36.6%

Lafayette High — Students at Lafayette High score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO MAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
48.4% (2025 MAP)
ELA Proficiency 57.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.6% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 30 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
17%
ELA
58%
2010
Math
27%
ELA
60%
2011
Math
32%
ELA
78%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
74%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
74.5%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
41%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
16%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
16%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
52%
2024
ELA
36.3%
2025
Math
30.2%
ELA
36.2%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Lafayette High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
24th percentile in MO
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.3
Sports
17
9 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
10.3% participation·State avg: 2.3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics17sports offered
9 boys'·8 girls'·30 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

412 HIGHLAND AVE, St. Joseph, MO 64505

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lafayette High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BISHOP LEBLOND (rated 9.1/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BISHOP LEBLOND HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CENTRAL HIGH (rated 5.7/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in St. Joseph, see our St. Joseph schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
LINDBERGH ELEM. St. Joseph 0.5 mi 5.8
OF ST. JOSEPH St. Joseph 1.0 mi 7.2
ROBIDOUX MIDDLE St. Joseph 1.6 mi 3.4
EDISON ELEM. St. Joseph 1.4 mi 8.6
FIELD ELEM. St. Joseph 1.5 mi 8.5
BODE MIDDLE St. Joseph 1.6 mi 4.0
CENTRAL HIGH St. Joseph 1.9 mi 5.7
CARDEN PARK ELEM St. Joseph 2.4 mi 7.2
ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL St. Joseph 2.3 mi 6.6
Riverside Primary School Elwood 2.4 mi 8.9
PERSHING ELEM. St. Joseph 2.5 mi 8.3
Riverside Intermediate Elwood 2.4 mi 7.8
COLEMAN ELEM. St. Joseph 2.2 mi 7.2
TRUMAN MIDDLE St. Joseph 2.7 mi 3.1
PARKWAY ELEM. St. Joseph 2.9 mi 6.3
BISHOP LEBLOND St. Joseph 2.5 mi 9.1
BISHOP LEBLOND HIGH SCHOOL St. Joseph 2.5 mi 7.8
HELEN M DAVIS SCHOOL St. Joseph 3.0 mi 3.5
SOUTH PARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY St. Joseph 4.1 mi 6.8
JOHN GLENN ELEM. St. Joseph 4.1 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 64505 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,741

Median Home Value

$186,000

Median Rent

$976/mo

Population

13,875

College Educated

27.5%

Homeownership

71.4%

Avg Commute

16.7 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

41.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BLAIR OAKS HIGH Jefferson City, MO 5.1
KENNETT HIGH Kennett, MO 5.1
MARYVILLE HIGH Maryville, MO 5.1
WINFIELD HIGH Winfield, MO 5.1
FULTON SR. HIGH Fulton, MO 5.0
MOBERLY SR. HIGH Moberly, MO 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lafayette High

What grades does Lafayette High serve?

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

How many students attend Lafayette High?

Lafayette High has an enrollment of approximately 680 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lafayette High?

The student-teacher ratio at Lafayette High is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lafayette High rank in MO?

Lafayette High ranks #1,681 of 2,221 schools in MO.

What is Lafayette High's MySchoolScout rating?

Lafayette High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 Lafayette High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lafayette High has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Lafayette High a charter school?

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

Is Lafayette High a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Lafayette 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
57 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
680
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Buchanan County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.6%
4-Year Graduation
72.0%

District

ST. JOSEPH
District Enrollment
10,477
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,067
District Rank
#15 of 20

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