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Excellent

#1 of 2,216 schools in MO

Top 1% in state

Thornfield Elem.

Elementary School · THORNFIELD R-I

37 COUNTY ROAD 855, Thornfield, MO 65762

Enrollment

50

Student-Teacher

8.3:1

Score

9.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri elementary schools

#1 of 1,202

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Thornfield Elem.

Thornfield Elementary is a public school in Thornfield, Missouri, serving kindergarten through eighth grade with an enrollment of just 50 students. That small size drives a student-teacher ratio of 8.3 to 1, meaning each student gets consistent, direct attention from instructors. The school's academic results are extraordinary.

Thornfield Elementary holds a composite score of 9.9 out of 10, rated Exceptional, and ranks first out of 2,216 public schools in Missouri — outperforming every other public school in the state. Among elementary schools specifically, it also holds the top position out of 1,202 Missouri elementary schools. Both its academic achievement score and student growth score each reach 9.9, which means students here not only perform at the highest level but continue to improve at an exceptional rate.

Thornfield Elementary suits families who prioritize rigorous academics and personalized instruction in a small-school setting. Because the school spans kindergarten through grade eight, students build long-term relationships with peers and teachers across nine years in the same building. For parents searching for top academic outcomes backed by measurable data, Thornfield's statewide rankings place it in a category of its own.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 50 students, Thornfield 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1, Thornfield Elem. offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Thornfield 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.9Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency90%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+34.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,436

Thornfield Elem. — Students at Thornfield Elem. score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 71.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.2%
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
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
69.5%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
90%
ELA
49.5%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Thornfield Elem. Compares

See how Thornfield Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.9/10
100th percentile in MO
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

37 COUNTY ROAD 855, Thornfield, MO 65762

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thornfield Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MARK TWAIN ELEM. (rated 9.3/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Rueter), with a comparable rating. Another option is SKYLINE ELEM. (rated 8.2/10, 21.1 miles away, in nearby Norwood), a more accessible option. Additionally, TANEYVILLE ELEM. (rated 7.8/10, 21.4 miles away, in nearby Taneyville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Thornfield, see our Thornfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.0 mi
School Distance Rating
LUTIE ELEM. Theodosia 8.9 mi 7.3
LUTIE HIGH Theodosia 8.9 mi 8.6
PLAINVIEW ELEM. Ava 13.1 mi 5.2
MARK TWAIN ELEM. Rueter 13.4 mi 9.3
AVA MIDDLE Ava 17.0 mi 6.4
AVA HIGH Ava 17.1 mi 6.2
AVA ELEM. Ava 17.2 mi 6.0
BRADLEYVILLE ELEM. Bradleyville 15.2 mi 4.7
BRADLEYVILLE HIGH Bradleyville 15.2 mi 6.7
GAINESVILLE ELEM. Gainesville 15.4 mi 5.8
GAINESVILLE HIGH Gainesville 15.4 mi 7.7
GAINESVILLE PRESCHOOL Gainesville 15.4 mi 5.3
MT ZION BIBLE SCHOOL Ava 21.1 mi
SKYLINE ELEM. Norwood 21.1 mi 8.2
TANEYVILLE ELEM. Taneyville 21.4 mi 7.8
LEAD HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lead Hill 25.3 mi 5.1
LEAD HILL HIGH SCHOOL Lead Hill 25.3 mi 7.5
MANSFIELD HIGH Mansfield 28.0 mi 8.5
WILDER ELEM. Mansfield 28.0 mi 5.8
MANSFIELD JR. HIGH Mansfield 28.0 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 65762 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,389

Median Home Value

$207,900

Population

469

College Educated

24.1%

Homeownership

91.4%

Poverty Rate

24.5%

Median Age

41.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Thornfield Elem. has a median household income of $51,389. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $207,900. The area has a poverty rate of 24.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
LESTERVILLE ELEMENTARY Lesterville, MO 9.7
GRUNDY CO. ELEM. Humphreys, MO 9.5
KEYTESVILLE ELEM. Keytesville, MO 9.5
BONCL Elem. Louisiana, MO 9.4
COWGILL ELEM. Cowgill, MO 9.3
PRAIRIE HOME ELEM. Prairie Home, MO 9.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thornfield Elem.

What grades does Thornfield Elem. serve?

Thornfield Elem. serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Thornfield Elem.?

Thornfield Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 50 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thornfield Elem.?

The student-teacher ratio at Thornfield Elem. is 8.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thornfield Elem. rank in MO?

Thornfield Elem. is ranked #1 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Thornfield Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?

Thornfield Elem. has a composite rating of 9.9 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 Thornfield Elem.?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thornfield Elem. has 71.3% math proficiency and 51.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Thornfield Elem. a charter school?

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

Is Thornfield Elem. a Title I school?

No, Thornfield Elem. is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thornfield Elem.?

64.0% of students at Thornfield 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
2 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (228/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
50
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Ozark County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

THORNFIELD R-I
District Enrollment
50
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,898
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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