Excellent
#115 of 2,216 schools in MO
Top 5% in state
South Fork Elem.
Elementary School · WEST PLAINS R-VII
3209 US HWY 160, West Plains, MO 65775
Enrollment
183
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
183
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Plains
#1 of 9
public schools
Missouri elementary schools
#82 of 1,202
In district
#1 of 4
WEST PLAINS R-VII
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About South Fork Elem.
South Fork Elem. is a public elementary school in West Plains, MO, part of the WEST PLAINS R-VII. The school serves approximately 183 students in grades Pre-K – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 94.9th percentile among MO schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 52% proficiency in math and 44% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $48,854, where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 183 students, South Fork Elem. is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, South Fork Elem. may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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South Fork Elem. — Students at South Fork Elem. score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How South Fork Elem. Compares
See how South Fork Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
3209 US HWY 160, West Plains, MO 65775
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Fork Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. KOSHKONONG ELEM. (rated 8.5/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Koshkonong), with a very similar rating. Another option is HOWELL VALLEY ELEM. (rated 7.9/10, 10.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, VIOLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Viola), with a comparable rating. For more schools in West Plains, see our West Plains schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 25.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FAIRVIEW ELEM. West Plains | 6.5 mi | 6.3 |
| GLENWOOD ELEM. West Plains | 6.8 mi | 5.5 |
| OZARK HORIZON SCHOOL West Plains | 10.5 mi | — |
| WEST PLAINS SR. HIGH West Plains | 10.0 mi | 5.5 |
| WEST PLAINS MIDDLE West Plains | 10.1 mi | 6.6 |
| WEST PLAINS ELEM. West Plains | 10.5 mi | 5.2 |
| HOWELL VALLEY ELEM. West Plains | 10.2 mi | 7.9 |
| RICHARDS ELEM. West Plains | 11.8 mi | 5.3 |
| BAKERSFIELD ELEM. Bakersfield | 12.5 mi | 3.7 |
| BAKERSFIELD HIGH Bakersfield | 12.5 mi | 7.9 |
| JUNCTION HILL ELEM. West Plains | 13.4 mi | 6.4 |
| VIOLA HIGH SCHOOL Viola | 16.0 mi | 4.8 |
| VIOLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Viola | 16.1 mi | 7.7 |
| DORA ELEM. Dora | 17.1 mi | 7.5 |
| DORA HIGH Dora | 17.1 mi | 7.3 |
| SALEM HIGH SCHOOL Salem | 20.3 mi | 5.6 |
| SALEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Salem | 20.5 mi | 5.3 |
| KOSHKONONG ELEM. Koshkonong | 17.9 mi | 8.5 |
| KOSHKONONG HIGH Koshkonong | 17.9 mi | 6.7 |
| WILLOW SPRINGS HIGH Willow Springs | 25.5 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 65775 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,854
Median Home Value
$177,700
Median Rent
$776/mo
Population
24,950
College Educated
18.7%
Homeownership
66.3%
Avg Commute
20.1 min
Poverty Rate
21.3%
Median Age
39.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Fork Elem. has a median household income of $48,854. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,700, with a median rent of $776/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| HUDSON ELEM. St. Louis, MO | 8.6 |
| NORTH SHELBY ELEM. Shelbyville, MO | 8.6 |
| ROCKY COMFORT ELEM. Rocky Comfort, MO | 8.6 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Kansas City, MO | 8.6 |
| WORTH CO. ELEMENTARY Grant City, MO | 8.6 |
| DEWEY ELEMENTARY Chillicothe, MO | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Fork Elem.
What grades does South Fork Elem. serve?
South Fork Elem. serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend South Fork Elem.?
South Fork Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 183 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Fork Elem.?
The student-teacher ratio at South Fork Elem. is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Fork Elem. rank in MO?
South Fork Elem. is ranked #115 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is South Fork Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?
South Fork Elem. has a composite rating of 8.6 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 South Fork Elem.?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Fork Elem. has 52.0% math proficiency and 43.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Fork Elem. a charter school?
No, South Fork Elem. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Fork Elem. a Title I school?
No, South Fork Elem. is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Fork Elem.?
59.6% of students at South Fork Elem. 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 (West Plains). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 183
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Howell County
- Phone
- (417) 256-2836
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
WEST PLAINS R-VII- District Enrollment
- 2,668
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,913
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
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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