2019 Best Schools in MissouriAbout this List

John Burroughs School

• Private School
• ST. LOUIS, MO
• 7-12
• 53

Parent: I cannot say enough good things about this school. The staff is absolutely top-notch. They have nurtured, challenged, and loved our daughter from day one. The curriculum is tough (well it would have been tough for me at their age!), but they support the kids in a way that pushes them to be their best, and to believe in themselves and their abilities. If you stumble, they're there to help pick you up, teach you to move on, and learn from mistakes without being debilitated by them.

There are so many opportunities to try new things (arts, sports, every kind of club you could imagine), and the feeling of community and kindness really lends itself to allow kids to come into their own. Both the staff and the other parents really work hard to welcome new families into the JBS community. And don't get me started on the head of school, Andy Abbott- what a rock star! I couldn't imagine a better school to prepare my child for the adult world. I only wish I could have been a student here!
Read 53 Reviews

• A+

• 610 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Saint Louis Priory School

• Private School
• Saint Louis, MO
• 7-12
• 81

Parent: We can't recommend Priory enough. Though early into his tenure, we'd like to share our thoughts with you as our son is currently a new 7th grader. We were interested in a school that would challenge and bring out the best in our son (he previously attended a challenging Catholic school). The curriculum is rigorous, and our son greatly enjoys all of his classes and teachers. It has been a bit bumpy here and there with grades, but this was expected. Teachers are all available when extra help is needed, but your son must reach out to them and make the time. Is there a fair amount of homework? Yes, but it seems to be pretty evenly balanced across the subjects. Our son is very active in sports, so we've been careful to balance his activities, letting him get accustomed to the new setting and priorities.
Read 81 Reviews

• A+

• 443 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School

• Private School
• Saint Louis, MO
• PK, K-12
• 130

Parent: We have been at MICDS for 6 years and have found that the vast majority of both the teachers in Middle and Upper Schools have been very invested in my children. They make themselves accessible to help when it is needed. Members of school Administration are easy to talk to, accessible and very child centered. The breadth of clubs, organizations and experiences that are available to participate in at MICDS are like no other! The new STEM building, stadium, field and Aquatic Center make our high school campus facilities top of the line!
Read 130 Reviews

• A+

• 1,240 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Clayton High School

• School District of Clayton, MO
• 9-12
• 123

Parent: Clayton is a wonderful school. The environment is conducive to promoting positive learning experiences. The family support(s) and resources are always available.
The students are very welcoming, constantly sharing their knowledge of educational experiences and showing team building spirit!
The school is recognized for achieving state standards, diversity , positive school culture, and college readiness programs.
Clayton high school is the best school chosen by many! And always a good choice of schools to attend.
Read 123 Reviews

• A+

• 870 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Thomas Jefferson School

• Private School
• Saint Louis, MO
• 7-12
• 26

Alum: I am an alum of Thomas Jefferson School ('03) and still remain involved with the school. Unequivocally, TJ helped shape not only how I think and learn, but also who I am today. The faculty is not only deeply knowledgeable in their content areas, but also takes great joy in working directly with students. The curriculum is extremely rigorous, and I found I needed to get to my junior year of college before the coursework challenged me in a way that I was challenged in high school. Given the small size of the school, it's not for everyone, but anyone looking for an immersive experience that is guaranteed to change a child's life trajectory, consider TJ.
Read 26 Reviews

• A+

• 85 Students
• 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Louis University High School

• Private School
• St. Louis, MO
• 9-12
• 168

Alum: Each class is filled with a diverse group of unique students driven by their interests, creating a real brotherhood. The campus, from the classrooms to the environment surrounding it, is constantly maintained and improved upon. Additionally, a growing focus on creating a sustainable campus distinguishes itself from other schools. As a student, I benefitted greatly from the studio arts department which pushed me to grow as an artist and not only a student. The engaging atmosphere it creates serves as a great break from typical classes.
Read 168 Reviews

• A+

• 1,050 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Pembroke Hill School

• Private School
• Kansas City, MO
• PK, K-12
• 66

Senior: I believe I have gotten the best education at Pembroke Hill than I would at any other school in the area. The teachers and the administration really care about student's success. The community is small so you get close with teachers and students. The academic pressure is very high, but there are many resources to help you succeed and everyone is very supportive. The school is also very good at preparing students for college, with a large college counseling program. My one complaint would be the lack of racial diversity, but the school is doing a lot of work to increase diversity in the school. Socially, I think everyone will be able to find friends. Despite the school being small, there are so many different types of students and personalities that everyone should feel at home!
Read 66 Reviews

• A+

• 1,113 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Barstow School

• Private School
• Kansas City, MO
• PK, K-12
• 28

Alum: Teachers are incredible- all very knowledgeable and committed to success of their students. The English and History department teachers are especially impressive. The administration, however, is top-heavy, and overly concerned with external image. Their interests seem to be monetarily focused rather than on the welfare and happiness of students. I attended Barstow for over 13 years and am grateful for the education I received and the relationships I made, but saw a significant drop in morale among both students and teachers in recent years.
Read 28 Reviews

• A+

• 710 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Whitfield School

• Private School
• Saint Louis, MO
• 6-12
• 16

Parent: Sweeeeet and studious kids! Very inclusive, yet competitive and achievement-oriented. Great college prep!
Read 16 Reviews

• A+

• 440 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lafayette High School

• Rockwood R-VI School District, MO
• 9-12
• 269

Alum: Academics can be excellent, plenty of opportunities for any kid and any interest-
If your son is into sports- I’d give careful consideration. Football is mediocre, wrestling program is top notch, basketball for boys mediocre, volleyball for boys average- Baseball pathetic. The Varsity team rarely practices and the head coach is awful! All the talent in the World and he simply doesn’t care. They play about 2/3rds the games of most any other school or less. If Lafayette hired a head Coach that cared at all - I would give 5 stars. Really sad- if Baseball is important to your son, evaluate your options.
Read 269 Reviews

• A+

• 1,874 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rockhurst High School

• Private School
• Kansas City, MO
• 9-12
• 120

Senior: Rockhurst is a high school unlike no other. The teachers are caring and will actually teach you. The community is absolutely the best thing as every one is there for each other. Plus, our sports are quite good! There are also many opportunities for electives that students can take. One of the downfalls though is that their history program definitely needs a lot of work and most of the teachers partake in some kind of sport, however that does not diminish their teaching skills. Overall Rockhurst is a good place to be.
Read 120 Reviews

• A+

• 1,016 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Kirkwood Senior High School

• Kirkwood School District, MO
• 9-12
• 245

Alum: The campus of KHS is absolutely phenomenal. Especially the quality of atheltic fields, gyms, and architecture design being fitting for all students. The teachers and faculty are very considerate of the success for each individual student when I attended until graduation of 2016. Kirkwood implements an outstanding amount of technology and supplies students with iPads (now laptops) being distributed for academics. They really impacted me with school spirit and supplied many different options for courses that fit a vast amount of interests. I am proud to say I attended 4 years at this high school and can call myself a Pioneer!
Read 245 Reviews

• A+

• 1,779 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Chaminade College Preparatory School

• Private School
• St. Louis, MO
• 6-12
• 60

Sophomore: The education is great and the teachers are amazing because they really care about the students; They want to see us succeed. Not only are the teachers great but the on-campus facilities are awesome, there's a place for everybody t do the things they love to the best of their ability. Almost all of the people I know here are competitive and really make me challenge myself to be like them in character. I feel very comfortable inside the Chaminade community and, in short, I wouldn't want to have gotten my high school education anywhere else.
Read 60 Reviews

• A+

• 834 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Visitation Academy

• Private School
• Saint Louis, MO
• PK, K-12
• 132

Parent: I'm rating Viz from the perspective of a parent. I've watched my daughter grow and mature there. The curriculum is academically rigorous, which supports its reputation as the best girls school in St. Louis and one of the best overall. I've also seen my daughter make deep connections with her friends at school. She participates in activities such as student government, sports, and theatre and is growing into a well-rounded individual. The teachers are top notch and supportive of the students and the parents. I can't say enough good things about my daughter's Viz experience.
Read 132 Reviews

• A+

• 548 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ladue Horton Watkins High School

• Ladue School District, MO
• 9-12
• 200

Senior: Located at 1201 South Warson Road, Ladue Horton Watkins High School builds itself upon character and accomplishments. Rated the second best high school in Missouri and 363 in the nation, Ladue School District is known for excelling in academics as well as athletics. Not only is Ladue Horton Watkins High School known for this, they are also known for creating a welcoming atmosphere for all students. The most important lesson I learned was how to display my gifts and talents for all to see with confidence. At Ladue, each student understands diversity and celebrates each person on their ability to stand out from the crowd. After lacking in confidence for so many years, my transfer to Ladue Horton Watkins High School my freshman year was truly a blessing in disguise. Without the help of Ladue's amazing faculty and students I would not have found true happiness or become the person I am today!
Read 200 Reviews

• A+

• 1,301 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Marquette Senior High School

• Rockwood R-VI School District, MO
• 9-12
• 405

Senior: Marquette High School is a great school with many opportunities to grow and succeed. This school offers many resources whether it be from teachers, the writing center, or counselors. Marquette offers a variety of classes that interest all types of students. All of the courses I have taken have been enjoyable and I have taken many interesting electives like forensics and first aid responding to emergencies. Marquette also offers many extracurricular activities including multiple sports teams and volunteer based clubs. The facilities at Marquette are very new and updated. Overall Marquette and the Rockwood School District offer many academic and extracurricular opportunities and the schools are nice, clean, and staffed with wonderful staff.
Read 405 Reviews

• A+

• 2,223 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Columbia Independent School

• Private School
• Columbia, MO
• PK, K-12
• 25

Sophomore: I have been a student at CIS since I was in kindergarten, and although there are definitely some things that could be changed, it is overall an incredibly inclusive and growth-oriented environment. The opportunities presented are incredible, especially considering the size of the school. The class sizes are small, especially in the high school, but the teachers are always there for you, and the interaction between faculty and staff is unique and completely worth the tuition!
Read 25 Reviews

• A+

• 325 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Cor Jesu Academy

• Private School
• Saint Louis, MO
• 9-12
• 149

Senior: Cor Jesu is overall a great place, and I do consider it my home away from home. I treasure the years I spent there and the people I was able to meet along the way. Diversity (racial/socioeconomic/LGBTQ) isn't great - there are marginalized groups at CJ, but we do group together to defend ourselves from ignorance. Safety is good overall (although Gravois Road is a death-trap). The teachers are great, but the administration leaves something to be desired. It sometimes felt more like a business than a school. Nevertheless, I do love everyone at Cor Jesu, and spent 4 incredible years there. Charger Nation!
Read 149 Reviews

• A+

• 626 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Wydown Middle School

• School District of Clayton, MO
• 6-8
• 4

Parent: I'm so impressed with the individualized attention given to each student to ensure they are getting what they need to succeed. Without exception, the teachers have been responsive and proactive. Nothing is perfect however this place is pretty darn close!
Read 4 Reviews

• A+

• 648 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Notre Dame de Sion School

• Private School
• Kansas City, MO
• PK, K-12
• 101

Sophomore: This school is incredible. Coming from a co-ed public school to an all girls Catholic high school where I didn't know anyone was terrifying as a freshman, but after the first two weeks I knew it was where I belonged. Every single person there is kind, no matter your grade, and no one is judged or bullied. I learn about the world outside of my own bubble, whether it's through my class about non-Catholic faiths, AP World History and American History and Government, or even through Social Awareness club. Academics are rigorous but I have never once felt overwhelmed because the faculty is passionate about their student's success and the counseling staff makes sure you choose classes that are a fit for you. Student are pushed to think about college and their resumes all four years, and it's the reason that I've been accepted into so many incredible schools outside of the Midwest. I love Sion and I love the student body. Vive Sion!
Read 101 Reviews

• A+

• 647 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Parkway Central High School

• Parkway C-II School District, MO
• 9-12
• 131

Junior: I have had a very good time at Parkway Central High. Most teachers and staff are extremely helpful and will answer any questions students may have. My favorite thing would probably have to be how well they prepare you for college at Parkway Central. They have a myriad of AP courses available for the average student to take and they’re all very accessible and easy to get into. The classes are very challenging and have been preparing me extremely well for college. I can’t wait to see how my experiences here might resonate with the ones I have at college!
Read 131 Reviews

• A+

• 1,260 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

McKelvey Elementary School

• Parkway C-II School District, MO
• PK, K-5
• 2

Parent: My third child is now going through McKelvey. It has been an amazing school for all of my children. The best of the best.
Read 2 Reviews

• A+

• 584 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Greenwood Laboratory School

• Private School
• Springfield, MO
• K-12
• 30

Alum: Greenwood is a small private school with a hardworking and driven student body. Academics are fairly rigorous, and while sports culture is weak in comparison to larger schools, there seems to be high involvement in athletics despite the school's smaller numbers. The high school counselor, who has a great bond with all of the students, enhances school spirit and overall involvement in activities. It is very easy to create bonds with your teachers and have one-to-one learning opportunities due to the small class sizes, which I think is a factor behind the school's general academic success. Adjusting as a new student is easy, as most people are quite welcoming. Most students at Greenwood have known each other since kindergarten which creates very tight-knit classes, and thus a comfortable environment to be in, even as a newer student like myself. Overall, my experience at Greenwood was a positive one--I made good friends, close bonds with teachers and feel fairly prepared for college.
Read 30 Reviews

• A+

• 375 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

George R. Robinson Elementary School

• Kirkwood School District, MO
• K-5

• A+

• 491 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

North Glendale Elementary School

• Kirkwood School District, MO
• K-5

• A+

• 586 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio