In Missouri, parents and students have plenty of educational institutions to choose from when it comes to furthering their children's academic journey. In this article, we'll examine several schools throughout the state that offer unique features, along with enrollment figures. We'll provide an overview of each institution's strengths for your consideration when selecting where your child, adolescent or young adult should attend.
The Largest Elementary Schools in Missouri
Missouri offers a broad array of elementary schools with different approaches designed around individual needs, as well as interests young learners may have. This section aims at exploring several expansive public elementary facilities in Missouri based on their overall enrollment numbers. It does this while highlighting particular characteristics that distinguish them from other, similar learning environments.
Five large elementary schools in Missouri boast a huge number of enrolled students each year:
Davidson Elementary School
5100 N Highland Ave, Kansas City, MO 64118
Located in North Kansas City, Davidson Elementary School leads the pack with an impressive 900 students annually. The school is committed to ensuring that every child receives high-quality education that sets them on the course to being tomorrow's leaders. The staff teaches and supports each child individually with unique learning styles and characteristics. It has been doing so since 1952.
Russell Boulevard Elementary School
1800 W Rollins Rd, Columbia, MO 65203
Located in the Columbia 93 School District, Russell Boulevard Elementary School is a well-regarded public school in Columbia, MO. With an average of 800 students joining annually, there are 405 kids in grades PK-5, with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. According to state test results, 54% of children are proficient in arithmetic and 64% are proficient in reading.
Highcroft Ridge Elementary School
15380 Highcroft Dr, Chesterfield, MO 63017
Highcroft Ridge Elementary School, which rests within the Parkway C-2 School District is a public school in the big suburb of Chesterfield, Missouri. Highcroft Ridge Elementary serves grades K-5 and has a student population of about 363. At Highcroft Ridge Elementary, 72% of students achieved or exceeded the competent level in arithmetic, while 62% achieved or exceeded the proficient level in reading.
Oak Brook Elementary School
510 Big Bend Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021
Oak Brook Elementary is a public school in the major suburb of Ballwin, Missouri. Oak Brook Elementary offers grades K-5 and has a student population of 444, serving about 700 of them yearky. It serves to bring out the best in young children, moulding them to be good neighbors to each other. At Oak Brook Elementary, 60% of students achieved or exceeded the competent level in arithmetic, while 67% achieved or exceeded the proficient level in reading.
Westridge Elementary School
8500 E. 77th St., Kansas City, MO 64138
Westridge Elementary School is a public elementary school in the Raytown C-2 School District in Kansas City, Missouri. It has 424 students in grades one through twelve, enrolling nearly as many as Oak Brook's yearly numbers. Westridge Elementary is Missouri's 430th largest public school and the nation's 29,591st largest. Its students and staff enjoy a balanced ratio of 15.7 students for every teacher.
The Largest Middle Schools in Missouri
What about middle schools? In this section, we'll dive into several of the state's largest middle schools. We'll do this while sharing key information, such as enrollment figures and locations, so that you can make informed choices about your child's education journey.
Parkway Central Middle School
471 N Woods Mill Rd, Chesterfield, MO 63017
Our first stop is Parkway Central Middle School in Chesterfield which has a total of over 1,200 students. It offers a uniquely comprehensive curriculum that is inclusive of advanced courses. These include Spanish II and Algebra I for its high-achieving students.
Bernard C. Campbell Middle School
1201 NE Colbern Rd, Lee's Summit, MO
In Lee Summit's R-VII School District lies Bernard C. Campbell Middle School, which boasts an impressive student population of around 1,100 pupils ranging from grades six through eight. The school provides a wide range of academic programs, including gifted education services and special needs support. Your child will also enjoy taking part in extracurricular activities like sports teams and clubs.
Ladue Horton Watkins High School (Middle Grades)
1201 South Warson Road Saint Louis, MO 63124
Nestled in St. Louis, Missouri, Ladue Horton Watkins High School (Middle Grades) campus accommodates approximately 900 students between grades six through eight. The campus provides excellent academic opportunities that include accelerated coursework options for students who wish to challenge themselves further. Additionally, various after-school programs are available to promote student engagement beyond traditional classroom settings.
Diversity among large middle schools:
- Parkway Central Middle School: 58% White, 20% African American, 12% Asian, and 7% Hispanic
- Bernard C. Campbell Middle School holds an impressive population consisting mainly of White (73%) students, along with good-sized groups of African American (11%) and Hispanic (9%) pupils.
- Ladue Horton Watkins High School (Middle Grades) has 65% White Students but more representation from other Students like African Americans(18%) and Asians(10%).
It is crucial to look into every aspect while choosing a suitable middle school for your child. These include class sizes offered; variety in curriculum offerings; availability of extracurricular activities; support services provided to all pupils academically and otherwise; and overall school culture.
Don't make any hasty choices just based on student enrollment numbers. It's always better to explore deeper into each school's attributes before making such an important decision.
Largest High Schools in Missouri
In this section, we will delve into the enrollment numbers of some of Missouri's largest high schools.
Parkway West High School
14653 Clayton Rd, Ballwin, MO 63011
When it comes to the largest high schools in Missouri, Parkway West High School is definitely a name worth mentioning. It is located in Ballwin and boasts an enrollment number exceeding 1,900 students. Parkway West offers its pupils an extensive variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities that promote success beyond the classroom.
Rockwood Summit High School
1780 Hawkins Rd, Fenton, MO 63026
Another notable high school with a sizeable student population exceeding 1,700 pupils is Rockwood Summit High School, situated in Fenton. This educational institution provides various advanced placement courses alongside an exceptional athletics program that strongly encourages students to participate.
Blue Springs South High School
1200 SE Adams Dairy Pkwy, Blue Springs, MO 64014
Last but equally noteworthy is Blue Springs South High School, found in Blue Springs. With an enrollment number close to 1,700 students, Blue Springs South stands out with their diverse range of course offerings. From honors classes to career-focused electives like culinary arts or engineering technology, it caters to every individual's interests.
Missouri is home to some top-notch high schools that prioritize both diversity and academic excellence:
One example is Parkway West – with its inclusive clubs and organizations and racially diverse student body – fostering a welcoming environment for all learners. For those interested in community service projects and gaining empathy for different perspectives.
Rockwood Summit also offers plenty of opportunities for growth in these areas. Blue Springs South is committed to providing equal opportunities to all students regardless of their ability level or background.
Other impressive high schools throughout the state include:
- Lee's Summit North High School serves over 1,600 students
- Francis Howell Central High School has an enrollment number exceeding 1,500
- Park Hill South High School accommodates more than 1,400 learners each year.
As you can see from this list alone, there are plenty of options when it comes to choosing a suitable high school within the state!
The Largest Colleges in Missouri
To cater to the increasing demand for higher education among students residing within its boundaries, Missouri houses numerous accredited colleges and universities. They offer diverse educational opportunities. The focus here is on highlighting some of the most sizable institutions within Missouri based on their enrollment figures.
University of Missouri – Columbia (Mizzou)
230 Jesse Hall | Columbia, MO 65211
The University of Missouri – Columbia, commonly known as Mizzou, is the flagship campus of the University of Missouri. With an enrollment size exceeding 30,000 students, it ranks as one of the largest colleges in the state. Located in Columbia, Mizzou offers more than 300 degree programs across various fields. They include engineering, business administration, journalism, and health sciences.
Saint Louis University (SLU)
1 N Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63103
Saint Louis University is a private Jesuit research university located in St. Louis, Missouri. It has with an undergraduate enrollment size of around 12-13,000 students annually. SLU boasts over 100 undergraduate majors and minors, along with graduate programs that cater to diverse academic interests. They include medicine, law, and aviation management.
Notable Saint Louis University Alumni
Saint Louis University has a long list of notable alumni. Some of the people on this list include:
- Michael Bidwill, President of the Arizona Cardinals
- August Busch IV, former President and CEO of Anheuser-Busch
- Mark Lamping, former President of the St. Louis Cardinals
- Thomas Anthony Dooley, physician, CIA operative, and author
- Irene D. Long, first female chief medical officer at the Kennedy Space Center
- Andy Benes, All-Star MLB pitcher
- Pat Leahy, former placekicker for the New York Jets
- Walter Halloran, assisted in the exorcism that inspired The Exorcist
- Bobby Wilks, first African-American Coast Guard aviator and first African-American to command a Coast Guard air station
Washington University (WashU)
1 Brookings Dr, St. Louis, MO 63130
Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is renowned for its research focus. It consistently ranks among the top national universities according to US News & World Report rankings. It receives roughly 15,000 undergraduates annually from different parts of the country. WashU offers interdisciplinary courses in diverse subjects – from architecture to social work – catering to a wide array of student interests.
Missouri State University (MSU)
901 S National Ave, Springfield, MO 65897
Missouri State University (MSU), located in Springfield, is another public university with over 150 undergraduate majors and minors. It offers multiple graduate programs catering to various academic interests like agriculture, business administration, and education. MSU has an enrollment size of over 24,000 undergraduates annually, making it one of the larger colleges within state boundaries.
Notable Missouri State University Alumni
Missouri State University has way too many notable alumni for us to list all of them here! But, here is a selection for you to look through:
- Luke Voit, first baseman for the New York Mets
- Pierce Johnson, pitcher for the Atlanta Braves
- Dylan Cole, linebacker for the Chicago Bears
- Zak Cummings, retired MMA fighter who competed in the Middleweight division of the UFC
- John Goodman, actor
- Kyle Dean Massey, actor
- Carrie Tergin, former mayor of Jefferson City
- Bob Holden, 53rd governor of Missouri
- Don S. Davis, actor
- David Glass, former Walmart CEO and former owner of the Kansas City Royals
Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO)
1 University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) enrolls around 11-12,000 students annually and provides ample opportunities for those seeking high-quality education within Missouri. While SEMO may not have as many program offerings compared to some other universities mentioned here, it still remains a substantial college offering quality learning experiences for its students.
Notable Southeast Missouri State Alumni
As one of Missouri's largest colleges, Southeast Missouri State has a number of notable alumni. These include:
- Dick Hantak, former NFL referee
- Linda Goodwin, NASA astronaut
- Dylan Dodd, pitcher for the Atlanta Braves
- Neal E. Boyd, winner of the 2008 season of America's Got Talent
- Cedric Kyles, comedian who performs under the name Cedric the Entertainer
- Roy Thomas, writer and former Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics
- Drew Forbes, guard for the Cleveland Browns
- Peter Kinder, 46th lieutenant governor of Missouri
- Eugene Amano, former center for the Tennessee Titans
Comparing School Options for Parents in Missouri
Being a parent comes with many tough choices that hold weighty consequences on your children's future achievements and contentment in life. Deciding which school they should attend is one of them. Thankfully, Missouri offers several schooling choices for you to consider. They include public institutions or private academies, including charter organizations and homeschool opportunities whose pros and cons you should weigh thoroughly.
Public Schools
Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) oversees funding for all public elementary through high schools statewide, providing free education within its district borders and giving parents more schooling choices than ever before. Public schools in Missouri offer a wide range of academic programs and extracurricular activities such as sports teams or clubs.
Private Schools
Both religious-affiliated institutions and independent secular schools are common options in Missouri. They typically charge tuition fees but may also provide financial aid packages based on need or merit. These schools often have smaller class sizes than their public counterparts, which provides more individualized attention from teachers. They do this while offering specialized curricula focused on specific interests like arts or sciences.
Charter Schools
Charter Schools were established in 1998 with the goal of providing innovative educational opportunities primarily for urban students located mainly in places like Kansas City and St Louis, where conventional settings may not work best. By operating independently under a “charter” approved by local boards, charter schools receive public funding but have more freedom regarding curriculum and operations than traditional public schools.
Homeschooling
Homeschooling is another option that allows families to personalize their child's education. It does this through custom planning tailored specifically for each student's needs. Although state guidelines must still be followed regarding subjects taught at various grade levels throughout elementary, middle, and high school years, homeschooling can provide a unique approach that suits individual learning styles and preferences. Homeschooling your child may be on your radar as an attractive option if you live in Missouri. This is because, compared to other states, it has relatively relaxed homeschool regulations.
Diverse Educational Offerings and Special Education Services
While size alone might be impressive enough to draw attention from parents searching for potential schools for their children, the real value lies in the diverse range of educational programs available at these institutions. Special education services are especially noteworthy at Davidson Elementary. Here, an experienced team of teachers works alongside families to create personalized learning plans that support academic achievement across the board.
Largest School Districts in Missouri
Before deciding what direction to take with your child's education, it's important to consider several factors. These include class size and available resources like academic programs or extracurricular opportunities that interest them. The overall school culture would also be helpful in making their transition seamless. It can also be helpful to visit prospective schools and talk with teachers or administrators about any concerns you may have before enrolling your child.
In case you still want your kid enrolled in traditional schooling instead of opting for homeschooling, no worries! Missouri has plenty of options! Many different institutions here offer large student populations along with a wide range of academic programs to cater to diverse needs. Some of them include Parkway C-2 School District and Lee's Summit R-7 School District.
While speculating a large school district in Missouri, Springfield Public Schools takes the lead with over 25,000 students enrolled across more than 50 campuses, including elementary, middle, and high schools. St. Louis Public Schools and Kansas City Public Schools are other notable districts here.
Conclusion
In Missouri, parents have a broad selection of large educational institutions to choose from for their children, ranging from elementary through college. From elementary to college level, there are many institutions with high enrollment numbers and diverse offerings. By exploring the options discussed in this post, parents can make informed decisions about which school is best suited for their child's needs.
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