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Average

#1507 of 2,216 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

5.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Poplar Bluff

#10 of 11

public schools

Missouri high schools

#374 of 532

In district

#8 of 9

POPLAR BLUFF R-I

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Poplar Bluff High

Poplar Bluff High serves 1,459 students in grades 9-12 in this Butler County community, offering a comprehensive high school experience with a student-teacher ratio of 16.0:1 and 91 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 46th percentile statewide, placing #1,198 out of 2,234 Missouri high schools, with room for academic growth as it works to strengthen student achievement. Academic performance shows 45% of students reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 43% achieve proficiency in mathematics across grade levels.

With its substantial enrollment, the school provides the scale to offer diverse programming while maintaining reasonably sized classes for individual attention. The school serves a working-class community where the median household income is $47,157 and median home values average $133,700. About 15% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 21.5% of families experience poverty, reflecting the economic challenges many students face.

Despite these circumstances, Poplar Bluff High continues focusing on student development and preparing graduates for their next steps. Located on Oak Grove Road in this remote town setting, Poplar Bluff High anchors the educational landscape of a tight-knit community where students and families value local connections and hometown pride.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.6Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency43%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45%
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
College Readiness2.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,549

Poplar Bluff High — Students at Poplar Bluff High score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

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 EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
26%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
43%
ELA
45%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Poplar Bluff High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
32th percentile in MO
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
91 teachers

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. W. E. SEARS YOUTH CTR. (rated 8.1/10, 5.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TWIN RIVERS HIGH (rated 6.3/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Broseley), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, NEELYVILLE HIGH (rated 5.5/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Neelyville), with a very similar rating. 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 5.9
WESTWOOD BAPTIST ACADEMY Poplar Bluff 0.6 mi 4.8
POPLAR BLUFF EARLY CHILDHOOD C Poplar Bluff 1.7 mi 5.9
POPLAR BLUFF KINDERGARTEN CTR. Poplar Bluff 1.7 mi 6.5
O'NEAL ELEM. Poplar Bluff 1.9 mi 8.5
SHADY GROVE SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 1.9 mi 6.7
POPLAR BLUFF MIDDLE SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 2.7 mi 6.6
FIRST BAPTIST SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 3.1 mi 6.9
POPLAR BLUFF JR. HIGH Poplar Bluff 3.2 mi 6.6
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Poplar Bluff 3.7 mi 6.7
EUGENE FIELD ELEM. Poplar Bluff 4.5 mi 6.0
SIERRA-OSAGE TREATMENT CTR. Poplar Bluff 5.6 mi
W. E. SEARS YOUTH CTR. Poplar Bluff 5.8 mi 8.1
LAKE ROAD ELEM. Poplar Bluff 6.6 mi 4.6
HILLVIEW ELEM. Harviell 10.0 mi 6.4
WILLIAMSVILLE ELEM. Williamsville 13.8 mi 5.4
NEELYVILLE ELEM. Neelyville 16.2 mi 5.3
NEELYVILLE HIGH Neelyville 16.2 mi 5.5
TWIN RIVERS HIGH Broseley 14.0 mi 6.3
FISK ELEMENTARY Fisk 13.3 mi 4.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Poplar Bluff High has a median household income of $49,979. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,200, with a median rent of $785/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
GLENDALE HIGH Springfield, MO 5.6
SECKMAN SR. HIGH Imperial, MO 5.6
STALEY HIGH Kansas City, MO 5.6
BRANSON HIGH Branson, MO 5.5
HAZELWOOD WEST HIGH Hazelwood, MO 5.5
WEBB CITY HIGH Webb City, MO 5.5

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 is ranked #1507 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Poplar Bluff High's MySchoolScout rating?

Poplar Bluff High has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Poplar Bluff High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Poplar Bluff High has 30.3% math proficiency and 44.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
Low (248/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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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