2024 Best Public High Schools in Missouri

• Ladue School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  258 reviews

Senior: Ladue Horton Watkins High School is a very highly rated school that has both teachers and students alike who are motivated and wish to increase the very potential of the school itself. If you are in need of help there are always teachers present with seminars or open mornings/afternoons ready to assist. If the issue is more personal then there are counselors with whom you can easily and efficiently set up a meeting. In addition, the resources of the school itself far exceed most other public schools. There is plenty of funding to start your own clubs and activities and the technology department is responsible for making sure every student has a computer that they can bring to classes. If there was one thing that I would change it would probably be the culture of the school itself. Specifically around participation and school spirit. While there is plenty of funding, I believe more of my peers should take advantage of the resources and do/start activities they are passionate about.... Read 258 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,324

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• School District of Clayton, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  175 reviews

Senior: Overall, Clayton High School is a great place to study at. It provides students with teachers who are either highly qualified to teach or very passionate about the subjects that they teach. Throughout all four years of my high school career, most teachers that I had were compassionate, thoughtful, and smart. It is definitely a common thing to love a class just for that teacher. The demographics of the students there are on some level diverse, but may still be less than that of other schools in the nation. Though bullying, discrimination, and self-censorship do exist, most teachers and students that I have met are very responsive and sensitive to these problems and would deal with them carefully. In terms of extracurriculars, maybe due to COVID, the competitiveness and prestige of these activities have generally decreased.... Read 175 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 881

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Rockwood R-VI School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  338 reviews

Alum: I loved going to Lafayette. Most of the teachers I had were great and made it easy to learn. The teachers were always there to help with anything I needed. In all four years that I was there I only had one teacher that I didn't like. They had good opportunities for college credit classes, which I took advantage of in my senior year. I loved the flexibility that I was able to have in my senior year schedule. I had completed all of my credits and I was able to have an online class and I was able to remove a class out of my schedule too. This allowed me to leave school up to and hour and a half early every single day of my senior year, which was a big help in opening up my work schedule to save up for college. Our school activities were well planned out. I enjoyed every school dance and football game with my friends. Lafayettes wide variety of classes allowed me to further develop and pursue my love for art as well.... Read 338 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,734

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Parkway School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  243 reviews

Junior: I’m a junior at Parkway West High School in Ballwin, MO, and so far, it has been a great experience. The teachers at the school certainly push students to do their best. Not only that, but most of them try to help as much as they can within the course. While there are always going to be a few mishaps at each school, Parkway West does a great job at helping their students grow from every experience throughout their high school career. Even through a pandemic, the school has not stopped their pursuit of encouraging students to find their path in life. Whether it’s for high school or college, they want you to excel. The only issue I have had is not receiving enough info about college prep. However, I have used my own resources to figure this out. The school has great lunch services, fun elective courses, and a wonderful staff. Extracurriculars are great too; our sports teams are very competitive and clubs are always intriguing. Overall, Parkway West is a spectacular high school!... Read 243 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,393

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Kirkwood School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  292 reviews

Senior: In freshman year everything was online or over zoom. I was excited about ceramics but never was able to go to school to use the pottery wheel because of COVID regulations. Sophomore year was during the mask mandate and social distance practices. It was also a reboot of freshman year since I had never experienced school in real time here. It was one of the worst years. We couldn't fully communicate correctly and it was uncomfortable wearing a mask for eight hours five days a week. lol. But junior year was amazing for me. I finished credits early so I had a short schedule, and was able to be in smaller classes with great teachers which was contributing to my overall experience. I had more friends, better academic understanding and more free time for outside of school activities and responsibilities. I have hope for an amazing senior year!... Read 292 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,808

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Parkway School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  187 reviews

Senior: It's a nice school! Faculty is passionate about what they do, the school is clean (exempting the female restrooms), and there is a wide variety of classes. It's easy to enroll into AP and honors classes, and there is a lot of preparation for college. The food is less than ideal. Although it's a given that a public high school has poor food, this school takes it to another level- I can count on more than both hands how many times my food has been under cooked/raw. I've known students who have gotten sick from eating here. There's also a lack of options. You're better off bringing your own food! There's also the issue of reoccurring racist incidents. They have been happening every year for the past few years, and got recognition in 2021 when someone wrote racist messages on a wall in the boy's restroom. This incident was even put into the news. Overall, this is a good school, in a good area.... Read 187 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,216

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Rockwood R-VI School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  496 reviews

Senior: I would like to see change in the food. Its disappointing. However, as far as the faculty and education go, it is an outstanding school. Teachers are helpful and kind. The library gives a nice area for students to enjoy studying with large windows and many tables. If you ask a Librarian, you can also get a private study room. Zero hour and AC lab is also a great addition for students that need extra help. I am in AP physics and love to go to zero hour as it is helpful to have extra time with my teacher for homework and it is especially helpful before tests.... Read 496 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,277

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Columbia School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  435 reviews

Junior: Rock Bridge is an extremely accepting school. There are clubs for every kind of belief and hobby, including: poetry, LGBTQ, democrats, republicans, Christians, and even a D&D club! The councilors and teachers have always been an open ear to me. Each student is treated with kindness and respect when regarding their needs, no matter how small. Our motto is: “freedom with responsibility”, meaning that as long as we are smart with our time and studies, we get an entire 1.5 hour period of free time called an AUT. Rock Bridge has helped me to become confident in myself and my capability to manage my time. I would recommend this school to anyone who feels ready to take charge of their grades and make life long connections.... Read 435 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,980

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Saint Louis Public Schools, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  122 reviews

Senior: I love metro! Metro breeds talent and work ethic from the second you walk into the building. Having a small class size can be frustrating at times but the teachers and administration are really there for you. Of my three years at Metro, I could definitely say that I've had a positive experience and have made long lasting memories.... Read 122 reviews

• grade A

• Students 373

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Webster Groves School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  240 reviews

Sophomore: Webster groves highschool is a wonderful place to get your headstart in the world. They offer alot of classes for all sorts of subjects. Although if the classes don't fit your niche, Webster groves high school has the Chelsea center to help you with that. Webster has a nice neighborhood perfect for extracurriculars. Within the school there are many different types of people, nevertheless diversity is limited. Students can be a handful at times but as cultural awareness becomes more expected, they have interactive goals to help everyone feel included.... Read 240 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,395

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Saint Louis Public Schools, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  45 reviews

Alum: My four years at the school were unusual, so take my experience with a grain of salt since any prospective student likely won't have such a wild ride. Despite the bumps along the road, I wouldn't trade my experience at this school for anything. Most of the teachers here genuinely care for their students, and if you want to learn and have fun this school will provide the tools for you to do so. From house wars to dance marathon there is plenty of school spirit to go around. However, for all the positives there are also negatives. The reason I'm only giving the school four out of five stars is due to the challenges that I feel the school faces. In more recent years I feel as though standards have slipped. Additionally as other reviewers have mentioned funding is lacking. It isn't necessarily that the school lacks funding but that it misuses what it has, Camp Wyman funds could have been used more wisely by clubs and organizations.... Read 45 reviews

• grade A

• Students 315

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Pattonville R-3 School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  502 reviews

Senior: For the most part, my time at Pattonville has been very good. I’m going into my senior year which means I’m almost done at Pattonville and it’s definitely bittersweet. Pattonville has always done a very good job at keeping their students safe and well-involved and made sure the school was always at its absolute finest. Out of all the districts in Missouri, Pattonville is hands down one of the best in my opinion!... Read 502 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,802

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Lee's Summit R-VII School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  545 reviews

Senior: I absolutely loved my experience with Lee's Summit West High School. I started my freshman year during the collectiveness of the pandemic. Meaning, that we were "hybrid" for half of the year and in school and out of school for the remainder. My next two years were followed with an abundance of love and acceptance. The teachers were getting back into teaching in-person students and the school put effort into finding resources that could help every student get back into learning. Our school consistently does surveys to try and make our school a better place which is why I feel like many students feel included and safe here. Our school also offers a multitude of diverse clubs for everyone so there will always be a place at our school for any interest. Sports also range quite drastically as we have several sports options: basketball, football, soccer, swimming, diving, tennis, volleyball, and so many more! I haven't had many bad experiences at this school and I am grateful to claim it.... Read 545 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,044

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  38 reviews

Senior: The teachers are excellent. Very caring, knowledgeable, understanding, and always there to help you succeed. I love MRH! The only thing I would change is to not have construction going on during the school year.... Read 38 reviews

• grade A

• Students 401

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Rockwood R-VI School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  211 reviews

Alum: Rockwood Summit has the resources to provide a great education to its students. It offers a variety of ways to make sure students get the best education, from AP classes to early college partnership options as well as opportunities for students to shadow careers they were interested in. There are some issues with staffing in the sense that some teachers would push their political ideologies on students or were underqualified at their jobs. However, that was my personal experience at my time there and the staff changes frequently, so those teachers may be gone now. Most of the teachers though (especially the social studies department) are amazing teachers who care about connecting with their students and providing the highest quality education possible. Finally, RSHS offers a plethora of extracurricular activities from theater, sports, marching band, choir, and various clubs to ensure every student has a place where they feel they belong.... Read 211 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,279

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• North Kansas City School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  364 reviews

Sophomore: Staley is a great school over all there kind to others. The upper class man help a lot to freshman and getting to know the teachers and the clubs and sport are amazing in their own way. I have made lots of memories and I have grown a lot since 8 grade coming to Staley because of the people there I feel like things could have been better with just not trying to be fake in aspects of inclusivity like in clubs or sports they don’t fund enough money for clubs like step which I do and the sponsors or the teachers that are helping the clubs or running the club. Sometimes if they don’t get enough funding, then they have to take out their own pockets like in my club step, our coach has take out some money of the yearbook fund because she does a yearbook club to, and it’s kind of sad but Staley is a good school it’s just something need to be change and that’s one of the things that need to be changed.... Read 364 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,783

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Fort Zumwalt R-II School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  310 reviews

Senior: FZW is a clean, fun, and friendly school to attend. The teachers are kind and the facilities are continually renewed to keep our school looking great. We are lucky enough to have Chromebooks for each student which provides unique learning opportunities for FZW students that other schools may not have. As a rising senior, I have realized that our school may need more senior academic counselors to support the vast amount of students who need more individual assistance in planning their academic and athletic futures. Overall, I have enjoyed attending FZW and I am proud to be a jaguar!... Read 310 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,831

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Lee's Summit R-VII School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  460 reviews

Sophomore: I would love to see my school become safer, there are many fights and makes many students feel uncomfortable. I do like our school’s sports and music programs. Also, I would like to see more diversity in friend groups and teachers. Overall, I feel I have greatly benefitted my education from Lee’s Summit North!... Read 460 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,979

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Brentwood School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  50 reviews

Parent: My child transferred to BHS as a senior and it’s been a great experience. BHS has a wonderful, dedicated and engaging faculty who cares about their students! We never thought we’d be transferring to such a small school but it’s been a pleasant surprise. Great diversity in student and faculty population, small sized classes, fabulous renovation in a lively historic building. Feels like a small prep school.... Read 50 reviews

• grade A

• Students 210

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Park Hill School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  275 reviews

Senior: I have enjoyed my years at Park Hill South High School! We have good teachers, fun activities, highly competitive sports, and great students! I would like to take away the hall pass system. E-hallpass is a hassle and it is very annoying for the students and extremely controlling.... Read 275 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,835

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Lindbergh Schools, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  403 reviews

Alum: I loved Lindbergh High School! I just graduated 2023 and am so thankful for my experience. They provide so many opportunities to be involved in athletics, band, drama, and tons of clubs to meet your interests. The clubs even met during our power lunch, which allowed all students to participate even if they had other after school obligations. The teachers are also amazing! They take the time to provide help if needed and they also make learning fun. They truly love their jobs which makes learning fin and enjoyable. It is easy to make personal connections with many of them. If I could have changed anything, it would have been not dealing with all of the construction for the past 4 years. Thankfully that is almost complete, so future classes have a beautiful new school.... Read 403 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,240

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Blue Springs R-IV School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  384 reviews

Senior: My freshman year started off a bit rocky. Our nation was in the middle of the Covid pandemic. All classes were virtual: no extracurricular activities, no study hours and little to no tutoring. By my sophomore year, things had began to seem as if they were returning to normal. I was able to join the track team, take dual credit classes and socialize with kids my age; all while wearing a mask. Once junior year came around, I had discovered my love for cooking and baking. I signed up for our culinary arts program. This program was simply heaven sent. I was able to prepare many dishes for several different cultures. Now that my senior year has arrived, I am excited but nervous for what my future holds. I am looking forward to prom and graduation; however, I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to all of my classmates and instructors.... Read 384 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,248

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Parkway School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  253 reviews

Senior: The majority of teachers here are great and care about their students’ education. The school is well-funded in most aspects, including it’s lunch, athletic, and technology programs. I overall enjoyed my time here greatly. The only major problem with this school involves its infrastructure. The school was built in the 1970s using an open classroom concept before plaster walls were constructed to create separate classrooms. This created some problems involving ventilation, safety, and even aesthetics.... Read 253 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,085

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Lee's Summit R-VII School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  326 reviews

Sophomore: Lee's Summit High School during its construction was a challenging adventure. Navigating the evolving campus posed challenges, yet it fostered a strong sense of unity among students. The construction noise occasionally disrupted classes, but the faculty's dedication to our education remained unwavering. Despite the obstacles, the positive atmosphere prevailed, encouraging students to engage in extracurricular activities and clubs. The school's focus on holistic development allowed for lasting friendships and skill building. Witnessing the school's transformation was a source of pride, knowing we were part of a community investing in an improved learning environment. Lees Summit High School remains a testament to embracing growth, preparing students for a bright future.... Read 326 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,921

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Francis Howell School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  334 reviews

Senior: As a student heavily involved with theatre and our journalism programs like yearbook and newspaper, this school heavily focuses on its sports programs. In the past four years that I’ve attended FHHD, our performing arts programs such as choir, theater, and band have gotten very little coverage by our activities department and administration compared to our sports, despite all three program having a history of placing highly in state competitions. Although, the student here consistently give master classes in school spirit, from custom shirts for every minor event to a packed football stadium for every home game, we love loving our school. I guess that’s what makes Howell the H.... Read 334 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,878

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1