James Brothers' House and Farm · Photo: Americasroof · CC BY-SA 3.0Kearney’s public schools outscore 93% of Missouri districts
In Kearney, 58% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Missouri average (39%). The grade covers the public school district serving Kearney, 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.
Kearney’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 57% and math 58% in spring 2022, against 43% and 39% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,307 per student, against $14,569 across Missouri (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Kearney Middle, then Kearney 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 Kearney’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 Kearney, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Kearney · depends on your address
Kearney Elem.
Grades PK–5 · 223 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Kearney Early Education Center
Grades PK · 44 students · 6:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Kearney
Kearney Middle
Grades 6–7 · 591 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Kearney
Kearney Middle
Grades 6–7 · 591 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Kearney
Kearney JR. High
Grades 8–9 · 510 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Kearney
Kearney JR. High
Grades 8–9 · 510 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Kearney
Kearney High
Grades 10–12 · 814 students · 14:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Kearney
Kearney High
Grades 10–12 · 814 students · 14:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Kearney
Kearney High
Grades 10–12 · 814 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Kearney’s public schools are run by Kearney R-I School District, which also serves Holt. Parts of Kearney (5% of its land) are served by Excelsior Springs 40 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 above the state in reading
Kearney vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Missouri towns that share Kearney’s borders.
Every school in Kearney
9 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 Kearney’s schools
Are Kearney’s schools good?
By Missouri’s own tests, yes: the public schools Kearney 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 89%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Kearney in?
Kearney R-I School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,424 students in 9 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Kearney are served by Excelsior Springs 40.
Where do Kearney kids go to high school?
Kearney High, with 814 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is Kearney’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Kearney R-I School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri.
How much does Kearney spend per student?
$13,307 in Kearney R-I School District (FY2024), against $14,569 across Missouri. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Kearney families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Kearney → 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.