2023 Best Schools in Missouri

• St. Louis, MO•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  80 reviews

Parent: As a parent of two students, I can tell you that this is a fantastic and nurturing institution … not just because it is one of the top college prep schools, but the culture is what makes it special. My kids moved there from an excellent public school but in less than a year, they are flourishing. They love learning and look forward to school. JBS makes learning fun and desirable. What is really interesting is that despite the academic rigor and how challenging JBS is, my kids look forward to school everyday. They have become more curious, kinder, and have a renewed desire to learn. As opposed to learning and academia being a chore, JBS has made them realize that learning is cool! The sport requirement makes the students integrate so well with their peers and puts their health to the forefront. They learn to be polite and are considerate. The teachers and counselors care about their wellbeing. JBS is a gem. If it was a coastal school it would be top 10 which is where it belongs.... Read 80 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 660

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Saint Louis, MO•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  78 reviews

Parent: Firstly, it is an honor to share with you as a parent our son’s experience this past year (7th grade) at Thomas Jefferson School (TJ). Our son just completed 7th grade, the school’s earliest grade offered at TJ (7th – 12th) and what an amazing experience. Every student has the opportunity to become a leader no matter what grade they are in and contribute to the learning environment. TJ offers students to be part of academic societies, clubs, and participate in social events. Every teacher, support staff, and administration are highly invested in the growth of their students. Everyone is available, greeted with a smile, have a genuine interest in finding what will help your child grow into an amazing adult. Our son's advisor is very supportive and even available afterhours, our son quickly made friends, and I have been so surprised to see our son take initiative to complete homework and prioritize his work. If you are looking for a great school stop looking, you found it at TJ!... Read 78 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 85

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Saint Louis, MO•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  175 reviews

Junior: My experience at MICDS has been very good so far! I've had mental health struggles and they've been extremely supportive and flexible throughout that time. The curriculum is vast and interesting, it is easy to reach out to professors for support, and the college counseling program is absolutely incredible. One thing that I would mention as a negative is the intensity of the academics. While I have without a doubt benefitted from the rigor, it is important to emphasize just how rigorous the school truly is. It's fast-paced, and I didn't truly realize how intense it was until approximately sophomore year. While I am confident this is the right place for me, the rigor is very important to take into note: it can be a detriment to mental health and extremely difficult to balance the workload with sports, clubs, and a social life. Despite all this though, I do recommend this school - it has truly changed the course of my life and my education. Thank you MICDS!... Read 175 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,250

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Kansas City, MO•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  87 reviews

Parent: Wonderful responsiveness to the pandemic, ensuring that students had educational opportunities in a safe and engaging environment. Responsive to individual needs. Diverse educational opportunities. Exceptional college counseling. Sports opportunities are maximized for student development for a school of this size. The arts programs are improving at a rapid pace, building on the strength of core high-level programs.... Read 87 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,177

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Ladue School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  252 reviews

Senior: I really enjoy being a student at Ladue Horton Watkins High School! All of the teachers are so friendly and are eager to teach. They make sure that the lessons are engaging and I have fun learning. I am motivated to come to school every day knowing that I will receive a high quality education. I feel that they prepared me for college well, and I am ready for the next chapter. The building is always clean and organized, and all of the staff members really care about each student's education and safety. Additionally, all of the students are motivated, which also helps my motivation. It is a wonderful environment to be in, and I'm so glad I go to school here!... Read 252 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,337

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Kansas City, MO•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  53 reviews

Parent: Barstow will provide your child with a strong academic environment and will customize the educational experience to your child's personal interests and ambitions. There is no other high school in the area that will prepare your child for college as well as Barstow, particularly if they are interested in pursuing a career in STEM. The school focuses on creating strong writers and graduates students who exude confidence and communicate effectively. The community is tight-knit. Teachers are amazing educators and spend extra time getting to know your child. Regardless of your child's extracurricular passions (art, theater, journalism, music, STEM etc), the school will ensure opportunities for students to expand and exhibit their talents. I am a proud parent of two students who have attended Barstow since elementary and are now close to high school graduation. I am grateful for what the school has given them and certain they are well-equipped to achieve their goals after Barstow.... Read 53 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 750

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Saint Louis, MO•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.59 out of 5  91 reviews

Junior: The academics are top-notch and the college advisors do a great job finding the best fit for each student. Every teacher I have had has shown me that they care about me and they have helped me get the most out of every class. The athletics really bring the students together as everyone is part of a team. Spiritually, the school also stands out as we have weekly Mass and prayer assemblies as well as several clubs dedicated to spirituality. The only complaint I would have about Priory is that the cost for the school has been steadily rising over the past years due to subpar enrollment. However, I believe that Priory has been worth every penny and I would recommend it to anyone seeking a Catholic college preparatory school.... Read 91 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 297

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• School District of Clayton, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  168 reviews

Junior: At the time of writing, I am a current Junior at CHS and I have loved every second of my time here. The academics are definitely the school's strong suit; they offer a wide range of classes, including regular, honors, and AP. While the classes can be a lot to manage all at once, students often know this going in since most overwhelmed students are the ones who signed themselves up for these tough classes. The students here are very ambitious and aren't afraid of taking on challenges. They are also very involved and the vast majority of students are involved in more than one extracurricular/club. Although it can get stressful, the counselors here are available and willing to help. I haven't had tons of exposure to our college counselors yet but I can tell that they work hard at what they do and I am confident that I am in good hands. The food here isn't the best and neither are the sports (not the most competitive/successful). However, the sports atmosphere is improving.... Read 168 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 908

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• St. Louis, MO•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.61 out of 5  237 reviews

Parent: We have a freshman at SLUH (2025) who is challenged academically and exposed to new experiences. The teachers are available outside of class, along with advisors and other support services. There are numerous clubs and sports to participate in as our son has picked up three new sports his freshman year. Cross Country was a blessing in disguise as the coaching staff is top notch and has built a program that is extremely demanding that results in teaching the runners discipline and sportsmanship. Wish we had more children to send to SLUH.... Read 237 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 978

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Joplin, MO•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.6 out of 5  42 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 42 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 301

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Saint Louis, MO•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  42 reviews

Parent: Whitfield is a school where students are encouraged to explore their interests, challenge themselves, and engage in their community. The amazing teachers care about and know each student, which further fosters a culture of curiosity and growth. The College Counseling program was also a game-changer for us: phenomenal! I couldn't be happier with our choice of Whitfield for our child.... Read 42 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 426

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Columbia, MO•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  49 reviews

Parent: We started going to CIS in JK. At first, I have to admit, I was a little skeptical when my parents voiced for their grandchild to attend the school. After being there for 2 years, I truly can’t see us anywhere us. I love the smaller class sizes. I love how all the staff really get to know each and every kid. There academics program and the standard they hold the kids to is top notch. I also love how supportive and patient they are with the kids in helping them learn. We LOVE CIS!... Read 49 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 400

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Kansas City, MO•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.56 out of 5  169 reviews

Alum: Sion is such an amazing school! I was able to take several ACCP and AP classes and entered college with many credits that allowed me to graduate in 4 years with a double major and minor. I grew in my faith, found my voice and confidence! I went to college on a significant scholarship for leadership. I met my best friends when I was there and am still very connected to that sisterhood today! It truly is a special school with amazing opportunities for these young women! I continue to hear feedback from Current parents that the experience is just as high quality today as it was when I attended!... Read 169 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 301

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Saint Louis, MO•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  157 reviews

Alum: I recently graduated from VIZ. I wholeheartedly had an amazing high school experience. I met 76 girls that I get to call my sisters and met my friends for life. I also received a top-tier education from few of the best teachers and mentors. Visitation Academy has thoroughly prepared me for my college education. I have found myself being able to navigate the workload and teacher expectations in college pretty well and I believe the reason is the atmosphere in which I completed my high school education. The only drawback I can think of us is that the administration department can be difficult to work with sometimes. They forget that they have to cater their ways to educate over 500 young girls and at times it is very much my way or the highway with them. Regardless of the administration issues, I had an amazing adn I would recommend VIZ!... Read 157 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 584

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Rockwood R-VI School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  331 reviews

Senior: Overall, Lafayette is a really great school. It puts a huge focus on academics as well as athletics. Our students are welcoming, smart, and charismatic in many ways. Lafayette also has a wonderful staff with caring teachers! The only thing Lafayette could put more of a focus on is mental health. While the school cares for its students in regards to academics and athletics, it doesn't put enough focus on mental health as it should. This needs to change. Otherwise it's a great school, I have no regrets attending this school for the past 4 years. Proud to be a Lafayette graduate!... Read 331 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,733

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• School District of Clayton, MO•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.38 out of 5  8 reviews

Parent: I adore everything about this school. The teachers are amazing and supportive. Administration is involved and approachable. Absolutely top notch.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 627

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Parkway School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  238 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 238 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,420

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Kansas City, MO•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.57 out of 5  214 reviews

Alum: AMDG! This is a great catholic high school, one of the best you can attend in the entire state. The sports program is fantastic. It may be even better than some colleges. The academics are of great quality - everyone in Rockhurst is both smart and athletic. The entire organization is closely connected to the local community and every Rockhurst students feel like brothers to each other. The only thing disappointing is diversity. This school is 90% white with few minorities, so there's not much to represent different cultures and races. Regardless, you'll never regret being part of the Rockhurst organization. The school is undergoing major renovation throughout the campus, so current and future students are blessed to enjoy all those new facilities.... Read 214 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 938

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Ladue School District, MO•

• 5

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 325

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• School District of Clayton, MO•

• K-5

• grade A+

• Students 333

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• St. Louis, MO•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  74 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 74 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 834

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Rockwood R-VI School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  487 reviews

Senior: Marquette has been a great school! They offer all the APs I could want and their consolers have guided me well on other opportunities like professional development programs. The teachers are overall kind and understanding. Not too much homework in my opinion, though the APs can have a lot.... Read 487 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,333

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Parkway School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  181 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 181 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,252

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Kirkwood School District, MO•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  284 reviews

Senior: Best part is definitely the staff and their willingness to support students. Every single one of my teachers has been nothing but accommodating when I've needed it. Worst part would be the lack of diversity & inclusivity within the district. We've had issues with transgender / gender-non-conforming teachers leaving due to hostile work environments.... Read 284 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,813

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Saint Louis, MO•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  57 reviews

Alum: I am an alumna from Crossroads class of 2014 and I had a great experience. The school is truly dedicated to social justice, racial equity, and community well-being--in a way that I have never heard of a high school being before. When I was a student, we were encouraged to truly be ourselves and explore our individual, quirky personalities and interests. Since I graduated, it is clear to me that Crossroads is continuing its commitment to social justice. I have seen the administration, teachers, and students involved in community engagement, politics, and hands-on learning. It is a wonderful place for students to explore their passions and become a contributing member of the community!... Read 57 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 115

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1