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Needs Improvement

#2098 of 2,221 schools in MO

Poplar Bluff High

High School · POPLAR BLUFF R-I

3209 Oak Grove Road, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

Enrollment

1,459

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

3.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri schools

#2,098 of 2,221

In Poplar Bluff

#10 of 11

public schools

In district

#8 of 9

POPLAR BLUFF R-I

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Poplar Bluff High

3.7/10

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

Oak Grove Elem.

5.1/10

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

Westwood Baptist Academy

4.8/10

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

About Poplar Bluff High

Poplar Bluff High is a public high school in Poplar Bluff, MO, part of POPLAR BLUFF R-I. Poplar Bluff High serves approximately 1,459 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Poplar Bluff High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,098 of 2,221 schools in MO.

Structured state assessment records for Poplar Bluff High show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.7 pts below MO schools
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • MO avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-3.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22.5% (2025 MAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.7% (2025 MAP)
Math vs. State Avg-25.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.7 pts
Overall Proficiency31% (2025 MAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2025 MAP)
vs. Expected-10.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College Readiness4.6Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate89%
AP Participation6.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,411
Chronic Absenteeism30%

Poplar Bluff High — Students at Poplar Bluff High score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO MAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 38.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 55.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.6% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 31 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
47%
ELA
68%
2010
Math
44%
ELA
64%
2011
Math
42%
ELA
68%
2012
Math
43%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
38%
ELA
66%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
78%
2016
Math
72%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
54%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
46%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
46%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
43%
ELA
45%
2024
Math
28.2%
ELA
40.2%
2025
Math
22.5%
ELA
38.7%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Poplar Bluff High Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
6th percentile in MO
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.3
Sports
23
11 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
91 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.0%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
6.6% participation·State avg: 2.3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics23sports offered
11 boys'·12 girls'·43 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 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

3209 Oak Grove Road, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Poplar Bluff High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NEELYVILLE HIGH (rated 7.1/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Neelyville), which scores notably higher. Another option is TWIN RIVERS HIGH (rated 6.8/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Broseley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, W. E. SEARS YOUTH CTR. (rated 6.3/10, 5.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Poplar Bluff, see our Poplar Bluff schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.3 mi
School Distance Rating
OAK GROVE ELEM. Poplar Bluff 0.2 mi 5.1
WESTWOOD BAPTIST ACADEMY Poplar Bluff 0.6 mi 4.8
POPLAR BLUFF EARLY CHILDHOOD C Poplar Bluff 1.7 mi 3.5
POPLAR BLUFF KINDERGARTEN CTR. Poplar Bluff 1.7 mi 4.9
O'NEAL ELEM. Poplar Bluff 1.9 mi 5.0
SHADY GROVE SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 1.9 mi 4.0
POPLAR BLUFF MIDDLE SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 2.7 mi 5.7
FIRST BAPTIST SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 3.1 mi 6.9
POPLAR BLUFF JR. HIGH Poplar Bluff 3.2 mi 3.7
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 3.7 mi 6.7
EUGENE FIELD ELEM. Poplar Bluff 4.5 mi 4.1
SIERRA-OSAGE TREATMENT CTR. Poplar Bluff 5.6 mi
W. E. SEARS YOUTH CTR. Poplar Bluff 5.8 mi 6.3
LAKE ROAD ELEM. Poplar Bluff 6.6 mi 4.5
HILLVIEW ELEM. Harviell 10.0 mi 6.7
WILLIAMSVILLE ELEM. Williamsville 13.8 mi 7.2
NEELYVILLE ELEM. Neelyville 16.2 mi 8.0
NEELYVILLE HIGH Neelyville 16.2 mi 7.1
TWIN RIVERS HIGH Broseley 14.0 mi 6.8
FISK ELEMENTARY Fisk 13.3 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 63901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,979

Median Home Value

$143,200

Median Rent

$785/mo

Population

34,920

College Educated

16.4%

Homeownership

62.4%

Avg Commute

18.4 min

Poverty Rate

19.9%

Median Age

37.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
MURIEL BATTLE HIGH SCHOOL Columbia, MO 3.7
RIVERVIEW GARDENS SR. HIGH St. Louis, MO 3.8
ST DOMINIC HIGH SCHOOL O'Fallon, MO 3.9
EAST HIGH SCHOOL Kansas City, MO 3.5
CARTHAGE HIGH SCHOOL Carthage, MO 4.0
PACIFIC HIGH Pacific, MO 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Poplar Bluff High

What grades does Poplar Bluff High serve?

Poplar Bluff High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Poplar Bluff High?

Poplar Bluff High has an enrollment of approximately 1,459 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Poplar Bluff High?

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

How does Poplar Bluff High rank in MO?

Poplar Bluff High ranks #2,098 of 2,221 schools in MO.

What is Poplar Bluff High's MySchoolScout rating?

Poplar Bluff High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Poplar Bluff High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Poplar Bluff High has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Poplar Bluff High a charter school?

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

Is Poplar Bluff High a Title I school?

No, Poplar Bluff High is not currently a Title I school.

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

56.9% of students at Poplar Bluff 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
13 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,459
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
91
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Butler County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.0%
4-Year Graduation
89.0%

District

POPLAR BLUFF R-I
District Enrollment
5,074
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,411
District Rank
#8 of 9

How we rate schools

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