Photo: Rowen Hansen · CC BY-SA 4.0Buckner’s public schools score below 59% of Missouri districts on tests and graduation
In Buckner, 31% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Missouri average (39%). The grade covers the public school district serving Buckner, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Missouri, not nationally.
From Missouri state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Buckner’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 349 Missouri towns with household incomes within a quarter of Buckner’s, its schools beat 21%, lower than their 41% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 31% in math, against 43% and 39% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,905 per student, against $14,569 across Missouri (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 7 the district’s path is Osage Trail Middle, then Fort Osage High. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Buckner’s grade
C+: better than 41% of Missouri school districts, #178 of 247 Missouri towns. Graduation is above the Missouri average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Buckner, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Buckner · depends on your address
Indian Trails Elem.
Grades PK–4 · 365 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Independence
Early Childhood CTR.
Grades PK · 133 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Independence
Kindergarten in Buckner
Buckner Elem.
Grades K–4 · 327 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Independence
1st grade in Buckner
Buckner Elem.
Grades K–4 · 327 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Independence
2nd grade in Buckner
Buckner Elem.
Grades K–4 · 327 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Independence
3rd grade in Buckner
Buckner Elem.
Grades K–4 · 327 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Independence
4th grade in Buckner
Buckner Elem.
Grades K–4 · 327 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Independence
5th grade in Buckner
Fire Prairie Middle
Grades 5–6 · 713 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Independence
6th grade in Buckner
Fire Prairie Middle
Grades 5–6 · 713 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Independence
7th grade in Buckner
Osage Trail Middle
Grades 7–8 · 675 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Independence
8th grade in Buckner
Osage Trail Middle
Grades 7–8 · 675 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Independence
9th grade in Buckner
Fort Osage High
Grades 9–12 · 1,545 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Independence
10th grade in Buckner
Fort Osage High
Grades 9–12 · 1,545 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Independence
Buckner’s public schools are run by Fort Osage R-I School District, which also serves Independence, Levasy, River Bend and Sibley and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Buckner vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Missouri towns that share Buckner’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Buckner | C+ | Fort Osage R-I |
Every school in Buckner
3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Missouri’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Buckner’s schools
Are Buckner’s schools good?
On Missouri’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Buckner children attend score below 59% of Missouri’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #178 of 247 Missouri towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 21%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Buckner in?
Fort Osage R-I School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,718 students in 9 schools (2024–25).
Where do Buckner kids go to high school?
Fort Osage High in Independence, with 1,545 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Buckner’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Fort Osage R-I School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri.
How much does Buckner spend per student?
$13,905 in Fort Osage R-I School District (FY2024), against $14,569 across Missouri. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Buckner families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Buckner → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Missouri. Stars are from neighbors.