2020 Best Schools in MissouriAbout this List

John Burroughs School

• Private School
• St. Louis, MO
• 7-12
• 61 reviews

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 61 Reviews

• A+

• 641 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Thomas Jefferson School

• Private School
• Saint Louis, MO
• 7-12
• 50 reviews

Sophomore: Thomas Jefferson School provides unique learning opportunities that can't be found at any other schools. The small size allows students to participate in classes and be heard by the faculty. Even as a day student, I get the chance to 'live' in a dorm and interact with boarding life. I am not going to be a D1 athlete, but TJ gives me the opportunity to expand my skills and compete within the conference. To me, the athletics at TJS are appropriate and VERY valued!
Read 50 Reviews

• A+

• 85 Students
• 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Pembroke Hill School

• Private School
• Kansas City, MO
• PK, K-12
• 74 reviews

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 74 Reviews

• A+

• 1,163 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School

• Private School
• Saint Louis, MO
• PK, K-12
• 153 reviews

Senior: I believe that what separates MICDS from other institutes is the interconnectedness between the students and faculty. Through my school's environment, which encourages strong relationships between teachers and students that stretch beyond the classroom, I have had access to a multitude of extracurricular opportunities and connections. Whether this meant getting involved with the volunteer organization of a teacher or building relationships with faculty that eventually manifested in letters of recommendation, the fact is indisputable: the interconnectivity of MICDS is extremely beneficial and opens student's eyes to the realities of the real world. However, one place where my school could improve is the struggle of transitioning into high-school. Speaking from personal experience, I believe MICDS could provide more resources for incoming freshmen, such as peer-tutoring and study groups conducive for more individualized learning, to help make this transition easier.
Read 153 Reviews

• A+

• 1,245 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Clayton High School

• School District of Clayton, MO
• 9-12
• 138 reviews

Alum: I had an excellent experience throughout my four years of high school. I loved how the teachers were friendly and that we were able to leave campus during our lunchtime! This showed how the district trusted us with the choices that we would make. Overall, I recommend people to attend Clayton High School because the environment is upbeat.
Read 138 Reviews

• A+

• 877 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Saint Louis Priory School

• Private School
• Saint Louis, MO
• 7-12
• 83 reviews

Parent: Our 8th grader (Form II) is greatly enjoying his second year at Priory! His study skills, organization, and self-confidence have grown significantly. He has also begun to realize that the quality of his time spent studying is more important than the quantity, and that his efforts are being recognized by his teachers (who are very willing to assist outside of class times). Subjects he struggled a bit with before coming here are now among his strengths. Highly recommended!
Read 83 Reviews

• A+

• 383 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

St. Louis University High School

• Private School
• St. Louis, MO
• 9-12
• 215 reviews

Parent: The curriculum, teachers and overall experience has been very good! They prepare the students for college, strengthen their faith and foster a unique brotherhood for life. My only suggestion for improvement is communication. At times parents rely on other parents through the Facebook class page to inform or clarify information. For example, incoming seniors recently received a summer mailer about senior pictures at school this summer, but no other information was provided via school email so at first I thought it was a marketing mailer and I almost tossed it.
Read 215 Reviews

• A+

• 980 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Barstow School

• Private School
• Kansas City, MO
• PK, K-12
• 40 reviews

Parent: The headmaster at Barstow is an Australian brilliant, innovative leader. English/Social Studies: Barstow is 1 1/2 to 2 yrs ahead of Blue Valley school districts. The book list at Barstow is more multi-dimensional and diverse. Math: Barstow math is one year ahead of Blue Valley school district. Barstow students tend to win many of the regional, state, and some national math competitions from elementary school to high school in Missouri. STEAM classes and robotics team are very strong starting in middle school and all the way to high school. Robotics team won an impressive 3rd place in the national robotics competition last year. Debate/Speech: The students travel everywhere to compete and come home with amazing results. Barstow is strong in speech as well. Broadcasting: Barstow has a professional broadcasting studio that no one else has. Students produce, create, record TV shows for the school community almost on a daily basis.
Read 40 Reviews

• A+

• 710 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Whitfield School

• Private School
• Saint Louis, MO
• 6-12
• 22 reviews

Senior: I began Whitfield School in the 7th grade, fall of 2013, and I just graduated high school May 28, 2019.
I feel that Whitfield really embraced me in its school community, as there is no perfect place I really think that the student body, parents, faculty, and staff really make people of different ethnicities feel welcome at the school.
The school moto of habits of mind and heart, is what makes the entire school community feel this since of cohesiveness. There's dialogue on differnces during class seminars in subjects such as world government, world and American history, and
the teachers at Whitfield do a dynamic job of leading these types of discussions that sometime can be difficult, which brings me back to the school moto of habits of mind and heart, embracing others differences.
I will always love and feel very connected to my secondary learning community Whitfield School.
Read 22 Reviews

• A+

• 440 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rockhurst High School

• Private School
• Kansas City, MO
• 9-12
• 133 reviews

Senior: Rockhurst challenges students with a rigorous academic program in the classical Jesuit tradition. The brotherhood among students is very strong and the Jesuit teaching style promotes the importance of community inwards to the school and it is reflected through student service in the greater Kansas City area. Rockhurst goes beyond academic, art, athletic, spiritual, personal and social achievement. It’s an environment where young men learn to reach for the best in themselves and bring out the best in others. It’s a place where lifelong friendships are begun. In Kansas City or throughout the United States and abroad, Rockhurst alumni enjoy a powerful connection and a network that can open doors in all walks of life.
Read 133 Reviews

• A+

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

Columbia Independent School

• Private School
• Columbia, MO
• PK, K-12
• 29 reviews

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 29 Reviews

• A+

• 370 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Visitation Academy

• Private School
• Saint Louis, MO
• PK, K-12
• 142 reviews

Senior: I have had an excellent experience at Visitation Academy! I have an amazing support system, those who go above an beyond to see that each girl reaches her fullest potential. Thank you Viz, faculty!

I truly feel I am well equipped to tackle my next endeavor....college!
Read 142 Reviews

• A+

• 548 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Parkway Central High School

• Parkway School District, MO
• 9-12
• 148 reviews

Senior: I like the fact that students are able to speak their minds to the administrators when there is a problem within the school and we are allowed to take the problems into our own hands as long as our action is productive.
Read 148 Reviews

• A+

• 1,293 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ladue Horton Watkins High School

• Ladue School District, MO
• 9-12
• 215 reviews

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 215 Reviews

• A+

• 1,284 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lafayette High School

• Rockwood R-VI School District, MO
• 9-12
• 297 reviews

Senior: Lafayette High School has shaped me into a very well rounded student. I feel very prepared for the next step in my educational career. I have had the opportunity take AP classes as well as classes in different career fields. Lafayette offers endless extra curricular activities from athletics to various clubs. I have participated in their soccer and track programs as well as Link Crew and Key Club. There is something for everyone. The coaching staff, teachers and administrators are exceptional! I could not have asked for more in my high school education. Thank you Lafayette!
Read 297 Reviews

• A+

• 1,816 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Cor Jesu Academy

• Private School
• Saint Louis, MO
• 9-12
• 160 reviews

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 160 Reviews

• A+

• 626 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Kirkwood Senior High School

• Kirkwood School District, MO
• 9-12
• 262 reviews

Alum: I graduated from KHS in the class of 2018 and loved everything about the school pretty much. I feel like we could have been better prepared for college as students though, and that the staff could have used some adjustment but overall it was decent. The sports programs are amazing, and I was thankfully a member of both the marching band and symphonic band led by Jeff Melsha! I miss it almost every time I think about it, and nothing will beat the thrill of performing at halftime on a Friday night, or playing Varsity Valor every time Kirkwood scored.
Read 262 Reviews

• A+

• 1,738 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Wydown Middle School

• School District of Clayton, MO
• 6-8
• 5 reviews

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 5 Reviews

• A+

• 655 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Chaminade College Preparatory School

• Private School
• St. Louis, MO
• 6-12
• 67 reviews

Senior: I have enjoyed attending Chaminade. The academic program is rigorous, and the AP and Advanced college credit classes here have really helped me push myself into new academic territory. The administration and teachers are excellent, and Chaminade is superior when it comes to the fine and performing arts, especially music/band where there are numerous opportunities. The guys here are excellent! I can not imagine myself being in any other secondary institution!
Read 67 Reviews

• A+

• 834 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School

• Private School
• Joplin, MO
• PK, K-12
• 38 reviews

Alum: I had a wonderful experience at Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School. I transferred in from a public junior high, and in my four years at Thomas Jefferson, my education was transformed. There is a huge emphasis on college readiness in all of the courses, and special seminars and activities offered by the school only helped prepare me more. The only drawback of the school is the size and culture, as it was a bit of a shock going from a graduating class of less than thirty with very limited freedom to a large university without anyone coddling me. Overall, it is an amazing school academically, just make sure that the academic pressure doesn't result in a lack of social skills by the time you graduate.
Read 38 Reviews

• A+

• 315 Students
• 8:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Notre Dame de Sion School

• Private School
• Kansas City, MO
• PK, K-12
• 115 reviews

Senior: Inside of the classroom, not only do I feel prepared for college, I know that all of the teachers want me to succeed. The coursework pushes you as a student to study harder and put in extra effort to achieve good grades and the resources go beyond books and worksheets. High school school culture is constantly changing with new friend-groups and new teachers every year, but Sion teaches you to embrace change expand your worldview. Sion focuses on the bigger picture without losing smaller details such as safety, delicious food, and clubs! Diversity within the classrooms is important to me and Sion taught me about different faiths, beliefs, cultures in every class. Sion girls are also connected through exchange programs which creates personal connects across oceans! Sion's parents are truly every girls biggest fans and they want each girl to succeed. Overall, Sion is the most well-rounded school where proactive classrooms and a positive environment helps every girl succeed.
Read 115 Reviews

• A+

• 647 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

McKelvey Elementary School

• Parkway School District, MO
• K-5
• 3 reviews

Parent: Outstanding teachers, administrators, and students! High expectations on academics and character. Proud to be in this community.
Read 3 Reviews

• A+

• 623 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

North Kirkwood Middle School

• Kirkwood School District, MO
• 6-8

• A+

• 651 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Shenandoah Valley Elementary School

• Parkway School District, MO
• K-5

• A+

• 464 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Parkway West High School

• Parkway School District, MO
• 9-12
• 189 reviews

Alum: The teachers are all very caring and want to see their students succeed. There are many different groups to find friends in and for the most part the students are very welcoming and accepting of different people. The education definitely prepared me for college, as a lot of material felt like review in comparison to my courses here!
Read 189 Reviews

• A+

• 1,397 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio