Wildwood House · Photo: Chuck Morris · CC BY-SA 3.0Ferguson’s public schools score below 83% of Missouri districts on tests and graduation
In Ferguson, 16% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Missouri average (39%). The grade covers the public school district serving Ferguson, 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 98% 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.
Ferguson’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 20% of tested students were proficient in reading and 16% in math, against 43% and 39% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,294 per student, against $14,569 across Missouri (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then two elementary, one middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta School (private) is 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 Ferguson’s grade
C−: better than 17% of Missouri school districts, #214 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 Ferguson, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Ferguson
Central Elementary
Grades PK–2 · 250 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Ferguson
Central Elementary
Grades PK–2 · 250 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Ferguson
Central Elementary
Grades PK–2 · 250 students · 15:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Ferguson · depends on your address
Lee Hamilton Elementary
Grades 3–5 · 310 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Griffith Elementary
Grades 3–5 · 292 students · 19:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Ferguson · depends on your address
Lee Hamilton Elementary
Grades 3–5 · 310 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Griffith Elementary
Grades 3–5 · 292 students · 19:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Ferguson · depends on your address
Lee Hamilton Elementary
Grades 3–5 · 310 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Griffith Elementary
Grades 3–5 · 292 students · 19:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Ferguson
Johnson Wabash 6Th Grade CTR
Grades 6 · 278 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Ferguson
Ferguson Middle
Grades 7–8 · 582 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Ferguson
Ferguson Middle
Grades 7–8 · 582 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Ferguson
STEAM Academy at MSB High Scho
Grades 9–12 · 434 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Ferguson
STEAM Academy at MSB High Scho
Grades 9–12 · 434 students · 13:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Ferguson
STEAM Academy at MSB High Scho
Grades 9–12 · 434 students · 13:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Ferguson
STEAM Academy at MSB High Scho
Grades 9–12 · 434 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Ferguson’s public schools are run by Ferguson-Florissant R-II School District, which also serves Berkeley, Calverton Park, Cool Valley and Dellwood and others. Parts of Ferguson (6% and 6% of its land) are served by Riverview Gardens and Hazelwood instead. 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
Ferguson vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Missouri towns that share Ferguson’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Ferguson | C− | Ferguson-Florissant R-II |
| Dellwood | D | Riverview Gardens PK–12 · Ferguson-Florissant R-II PK–12 |
| Cool Valley | C− | Ferguson-Florissant R-II |
| Jennings | D | Jennings |
| Calverton Park | C− | Ferguson-Florissant R-II |
| Normandy | D− | Normandy Schools Collaborative |
| Kinloch | — | Ferguson-Florissant R-II |
| Berkeley | C− | Ferguson-Florissant R-II |
| Florissant | D | Ferguson-Florissant R-II PK–12 · Hazelwood PK–12 |
6 of the 8 neighbors share Ferguson-Florissant R-II with Ferguson, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Ferguson
7 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 Ferguson’s schools
Are Ferguson’s schools good?
On Missouri’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Ferguson children attend score below 83% of Missouri’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #214 of 247 Missouri towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 15%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Ferguson in?
Ferguson-Florissant R-II School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,809 students in 23 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Ferguson are served by Riverview Gardens and Hazelwood.
Where do Ferguson kids go to high school?
STEAM Academy at MSB High Scho, with 434 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Ferguson’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Ferguson-Florissant R-II School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri.
How much does Ferguson spend per student?
$15,294 in Ferguson-Florissant R-II School District (FY2024), against $14,569 across Missouri. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Ferguson?
Yes: Blessed Teresa of Calcutta School (Catholic, grades K–8, 160 students).
Parents talk
What Ferguson families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ferguson → 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.