Average
#1764 of 2,216 schools in MO
Smith-cotton High School
High School · SEDALIA 200
2010 TIGER PRIDE BOULEVARD, Sedalia, MO 65301
Enrollment
1,535
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
5.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,535
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
5.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sedalia
#7 of 10
public schools
Missouri high schools
#432 of 532
In district
#7 of 9
SEDALIA 200
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Smith-cotton High School
Smith-Cotton High School serves 1,535 students in grades 9-12 in Sedalia, Missouri, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 17.4:1 and 88 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 51st percentile statewide, placing 1,086th among Missouri's 2,234 high schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10. Academically, Smith-Cotton shows stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 57% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics presents opportunities for growth, with 35% of students reaching proficiency standards. The school's academic score of 6.9 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student development in a comprehensive high school setting. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $56,271 and median home value reaches $148,100.
With 19% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 14.8%, Smith-Cotton serves a diverse mix of families across economic backgrounds. The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 34,994 residents. Smith-Cotton High School operates in Sedalia's remote town setting, providing comprehensive secondary education to students throughout Pettis County and the surrounding rural Missouri community.
Score Breakdown
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Smith-cotton High School — Students at Smith-cotton High School score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.3/10.
How Smith-cotton High School Compares
See how Smith-cotton High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 35% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
2010 TIGER PRIDE BOULEVARD, Sedalia, MO 65301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Smith-cotton High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NORTHWEST HIGH (rated 8.5/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Hughesville), which scores notably higher. Another option is SMITHTON HIGH (rated 7.2/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Smithton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LA MONTE HIGH (rated 6.5/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby La Monte), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sedalia, see our Sedalia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SKYLINE ELEM. Sedalia | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| E W Thompson Sedalia | 1.9 mi | — |
| HORACE MANN ELEM. Sedalia | 2.0 mi | 8.4 |
| HEBER HUNT ELEM. Sedalia | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD CTR. Sedalia | 2.3 mi | 7.1 |
| SEDALIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Sedalia | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| SMITH COTTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHL Sedalia | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY & HIGH SCHOOL Sedalia | 2.9 mi | 8.6 |
| ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sedalia | 2.8 mi | 6.2 |
| PARKVIEW ELEM. Sedalia | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
| WASHINGTON ELEM. Sedalia | 3.3 mi | 7.9 |
| PETTIS CO. ELEM. Sedalia | 6.8 mi | 4.9 |
| APPLEWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sedalia | 7.6 mi | 6.5 |
| GREEN RIDGE ELEM. Green Ridge | 9.1 mi | 8.9 |
| GREEN RIDGE HIGH Green Ridge | 9.1 mi | 5.5 |
| SMITHTON ELEM. Smithton | 8.9 mi | 6.6 |
| SMITHTON HIGH Smithton | 8.9 mi | 7.2 |
| NORTHWEST HIGH Hughesville | 12.0 mi | 8.5 |
| LA MONTE HIGH La Monte | 11.1 mi | 6.5 |
| LA MONTE ELEM. La Monte | 11.1 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 65301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,906
Median Home Value
$159,700
Median Rent
$865/mo
Population
35,347
College Educated
18.8%
Homeownership
67.1%
Avg Commute
18.3 min
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Smith-cotton High School has a median household income of $58,906. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $159,700, with a median rent of $865/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. 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 |
|---|---|
| CAPITAL CITY HIGH SCHOOL Jefferson City, MO | 5.0 |
| RITENOUR SR. HIGH St. Louis, MO | 5.2 |
| ST LOUIS UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL St. Louis, MO | 5.2 |
| JACKSON SR. HIGH Jackson, MO | 4.9 |
| MURIEL BATTLE HIGH SCHOOL Columbia, MO | 4.9 |
| WARRENTON HIGH Warrenton, MO | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Smith-cotton High School
What grades does Smith-cotton High School serve?
Smith-cotton High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Smith-cotton High School?
Smith-cotton High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,535 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Smith-cotton High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Smith-cotton High School is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Smith-cotton High School rank in MO?
Smith-cotton High School is ranked #1764 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Smith-cotton High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Smith-cotton High School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Smith-cotton High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smith-cotton High School has 39.7% math proficiency and 58.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Smith-cotton High School a charter school?
No, Smith-cotton High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Smith-cotton High School a Title I school?
No, Smith-cotton High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smith-cotton High School?
61.6% of students at Smith-cotton 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sedalia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,535
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 88
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Pettis County
- Phone
- (660) 851-5300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SEDALIA 200- District Enrollment
- 5,069
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,620
- District Rank
- #7 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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