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Schools in Buffalo · Dallas County R-I School District

Buffalo’s public schools score below 54% of Missouri districts on tests and graduation

In Buffalo, 27% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Missouri average (39%). The grade covers the public school district serving Buffalo, 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.

#168of 247 Missouri townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
35%
▼ 8 pts vs MO 43%
2021–22
Math proficiency
27%
▼ 12 pts vs MO 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 6–11 pts vs MO 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.1K
▼ 10% vs MO $14.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.6
MO 12.8 · larger classes
Schools in town
3
1,576 students on the public path
In brief

Buffalo’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 35% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 43% and 39% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri (the state reports Buffalo’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,073 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 5 the district’s path is Buffalo Middle, then Buffalo High. Enrollment is down 7% since 2020–21. 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Buffalo’s grade

C− Test scoresA− Graduation

B−: better than 46% of Missouri school districts, #168 of 247 Missouri towns. Graduation is above the Missouri average; test scores are below it.

Missouri school districts we grade (535)Better than 46%
Lower resultsHigher results
Missouri towns with similar household incomes (354)Better than 49%
C+BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 878 test results and a graduating class of 119 could put Buffalo anywhere from C+ to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Buffalo’s students in the tested grades sat them (880 in math, 877 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Buffalo, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–4Mallory Elem.Dallas County R-I School DistrictC−
5–8Buffalo MiddleDallas County R-I School DistrictC−
9–12Buffalo HighDallas County R-I School DistrictC

Buffalo’s public schools are run by Dallas County R-I School District, which also serves Louisburg. 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.

Dallas County R-I School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 1,576 students, down 7% since 2020–21 · 13.6 per teacher (MO 12.8)
$13,073MO $14,569 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading35%
State average 43.2% · 877 students tested
Math27%
State average 39.2% · 880 students tested

Buffalo vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Missouri towns that share Buffalo’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BuffaloB−Dallas County R-I

Every school in Buffalo

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).

District schools in Buffaloby address
Mallory Elem.
Elementary · Grades K–4
C−
599 students13:1Rate it →
Buffalo Middle
Middle · Grades 5–8
C−
466 students13:1Rate it →
Buffalo High
High · Grades 9–12
C
511 students16:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Dallas County Technical Center and Early Childhood Center).

Questions about Buffalo’s schools

Are Buffalo’s schools good?

On Missouri’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Buffalo children attend score below 54% of Missouri’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #168 of 247 Missouri towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 49%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Buffalo in?

Dallas County R-I School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,576 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Buffalo kids go to high school?

Buffalo High, with 511 students; its own test results earn a C.

What is Buffalo’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Dallas County R-I School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri.

How much does Buffalo spend per student?

$13,073 in Dallas County R-I School District (FY2024), against $14,569 across Missouri. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Buffalo families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Buffalo → 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.