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Very Good

#430 of 2,221 schools in MO

Top 19% in state

Penney High

High School · HAMILTON R-II

PO BOX 130, Hamilton, MO 64644

Enrollment

192

Student-Teacher

10.1:1

Score

7.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri schools

#430 of 2,221

In Hamilton

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

HAMILTON R-II

Academic performance

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Penney High

7.7/10

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

Hamilton Middle

5.5/10

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

Hamilton Elem.

9.0/10

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

About Penney High

Penney High is a public high school in Hamilton, MO, part of HAMILTON R-II. Penney High serves approximately 192 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Penney High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #430 of 2,221 schools in MO.

Structured state assessment records for Penney High show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts above MO schools
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • MO avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

At 192 students, Penney High is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Penney High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.89 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.1% (2024 MAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-0.3 pts
Overall Proficiency55% (2024 MAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2024 MAP)
vs. Expected+7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College Readiness9.3Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,154
Chronic Absenteeism14.1%

Penney High — Students at Penney High score 55% 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

39.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO MAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 57.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
46.4% (2024 MAP)
ELA Proficiency 71.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
64.5%
2013
Math
64.5%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
64.5%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%
2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%
2024
Math
46.1%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Penney High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
81th percentile in MO
Academic
8.4/10
Excellent
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent
Sports
14
7 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.1%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics14sports offered
7 boys'·7 girls'·23 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 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

PO BOX 130, Hamilton, MO 64644

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Penney High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. GALLATIN HIGH (rated 8.1/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Gallatin), which scores slightly higher. Another option is WINSTON HIGH (rated 6.7/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Winston), with a comparable rating. Additionally, POLO HIGH (rated 6.3/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Polo), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hamilton, see our Hamilton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.1 mi
School Distance Rating
HAMILTON MIDDLE Hamilton 0.0 mi 5.5
HAMILTON ELEM. Hamilton 0.2 mi 9.0
NEW YORK ELEM. Hamilton 6.0 mi
KINGSTON ELEM. Kingston 7.6 mi 5.4
GALLATIN HIGH Gallatin 11.0 mi 8.1
GALLATIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Gallatin 11.0 mi 4.8
COVEL D. SEARCY ELEM. Gallatin 11.1 mi 8.2
WINSTON ELEM. Winston 11.3 mi 5.5
WINSTON HIGH Winston 11.3 mi 6.7
BRECKENRIDGE ELEM. Breckenridge 10.3 mi 4.3
BRECKENRIDGE HIGH Breckenridge 10.3 mi
MIRABILE ELEM. Polo 12.1 mi 4.1
POLO MIDDLE Polo 14.1 mi 9.3
POLO ELEM. Polo 14.1 mi 6.5
POLO HIGH Polo 14.1 mi 6.3
COWGILL ELEM. Cowgill 13.9 mi 8.1
CAMERON HIGH Cameron 13.0 mi 6.1
CAMERON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Cameron 13.0 mi 8.4
CAMERON VETERANS MIDDLE Cameron 13.0 mi 7.1
PARKVIEW ELEM. Cameron 13.1 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 64644 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,628

Median Home Value

$171,600

Median Rent

$650/mo

Population

3,265

College Educated

24.3%

Homeownership

76.9%

Avg Commute

32.2 min

Poverty Rate

12.8%

Median Age

37.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
EMINENCE HIGH Eminence, MO 7.7
HOLCOMB HIGH Holcomb, MO 7.7
MIDWAY HIGH Cleveland, MO 7.7
SALISBURY HIGH Salisbury, MO 7.7
BISHOP LEBLOND HIGH SCHOOL St. Joseph, MO 7.8
CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL St. Louis, MO 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Penney High

What grades does Penney High serve?

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

How many students attend Penney High?

Penney High has an enrollment of approximately 192 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Penney High?

The student-teacher ratio at Penney High is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Penney High rank in MO?

Penney High ranks #430 of 2,221 schools in MO.

What is Penney High's MySchoolScout rating?

Penney High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Penney High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Penney High has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Penney High a charter school?

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

Is Penney High a Title I school?

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

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

39.1% of students at Penney 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
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
192
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Caldwell County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.1%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

District

HAMILTON R-II
District Enrollment
613
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,154
District Rank
#2 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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