Photo: Onegentlemanofverona · CC BY-SA 3.0Des Peres’s public schools outscore 93% of Missouri districts
Math proficiency in Des Peres’s districts is 56%, above the Missouri average (39%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Des Peres, 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 99% 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.
Des Peres’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 14 Missouri towns with household incomes within a quarter of Des Peres’s, its schools beat 36%, lower than their 93% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 60% and math 56% across both districts in spring 2022, against 43% and 39% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Kirkwood R-VII spends $15,021 per student and Parkway C-2 $14,660, against $14,569 across Missouri (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Clement Grade School (private) and St. Paul's Lutheran School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
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 Des Peres’s grade
A: better than 93% of Missouri school districts, #17 of 247 Missouri towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Missouri average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Des Peres, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Des Peres · depends on your address
Early Childhood
Grades PK · 342 students · in Chesterfield
Kirkwood Early Child. CTR.
Grades PK · 304 students · in Kirkwood
Des Peres runs its own schools through grade 12 (Kirkwood R-VII School District). From grade PK, students attend the Parkway C-2 School District, shared with Ballwin, Chesterfield, Country Life Acres, Creve Coeur, Manchester, Maryland Heights, Town and Country, Twin Oaks, Westwood and Winchester. Its elementary school is in Kirkwood. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Des Peres
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Des Peres vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Missouri towns that share Des Peres’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Des Peres | A | Kirkwood R-VII PK–12 · Parkway C-2 PK–12 |
| Kirkwood | A+ | Kirkwood R-VII |
| Town and Country | A | Parkway C-2 |
| Frontenac | A+ | Ladue |
Every school in Des Peres
37 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 Des Peres’s schools
Are Des Peres’s schools good?
By Missouri’s own tests, yes: the public schools Des Peres children attend outscore 93% of Missouri’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #17 of 247 Missouri towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Des Peres in?
Two districts: Kirkwood R-VII School District runs grades PK–12, and Parkway C-2 School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Ballwin, Chesterfield, Country Life Acres, Creve Coeur, Manchester, Maryland Heights, Town and Country, Twin Oaks, Westwood and Winchester.
Where do Des Peres kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Kirkwood SR. High, South High, West High, Central High and North High.
What is Des Peres’s graduation rate?
95% of the class of 2023 in Parkway C-2 School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri.
How much does Des Peres spend per student?
$15,021 in Kirkwood R-VII School District and $14,660 in Parkway C-2 School District (FY2024), against $14,569 across Missouri. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Des Peres?
Yes: St. Clement Grade School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 335 students) and St. Paul's Lutheran School (religious, grades K–8, 212 students).
Parents talk
What Des Peres families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Des Peres → 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.