Smith, Orie J., Black and White Stock Farm Historic District · Photo: Andrew.Belair · CC BY-SA 3.0Kirksville’s public schools outscore 57% of Missouri districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Kirksville, 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.
Kirksville’s schools, in brief
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 44% and math 37% in spring 2022, against 43% and 39% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,724 per student, against $14,569 across Missouri (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 3 the district’s path is Ray Miller Elem., then William Matthew Middle School, then Kirksville SR. High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Faith Lutheran School (private), Mary Immaculate Elementary School (private), Life Church School (private) and Northeast Christian High 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 Kirksville’s grade
B: better than 57% of Missouri school districts, #141 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 Kirksville, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Kirksville
Kirksville Primary
Grades PK–2 · 539 students · 8:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Kirksville
Kirksville Primary
Grades PK–2 · 539 students · 8:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Kirksville
Kirksville Primary
Grades PK–2 · 539 students · 8:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Kirksville
Ray Miller Elem.
Grades 3–5 · 530 students · 12:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Kirksville
Ray Miller Elem.
Grades 3–5 · 530 students · 12:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Kirksville
Ray Miller Elem.
Grades 3–5 · 530 students · 12:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Kirksville
William Matthew Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 514 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Kirksville
William Matthew Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 514 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Kirksville
William Matthew Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 514 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Kirksville
Kirksville SR. High
Grades 9–12 · 791 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Kirksville
Kirksville SR. High
Grades 9–12 · 791 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Kirksville
Kirksville SR. High
Grades 9–12 · 791 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Kirksville
Kirksville SR. High
Grades 9–12 · 791 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Kirksville’s public schools are run by Kirksville R-III School District, which also serves Millard. 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.
Close to the state in reading
Kirksville vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Missouri towns that share Kirksville’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Kirksville | B | Kirksville R-III |
Every school in Kirksville
8 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Kirksville Area Tech. CTR.).
Questions about Kirksville’s schools
Are Kirksville’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Missouri: the public schools Kirksville children attend outscore 57% of Missouri’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #141 of 247 Missouri towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 60%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Kirksville in?
Kirksville R-III School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,374 students in 4 schools (2024–25).
Where do Kirksville kids go to high school?
Kirksville SR. High, with 791 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Kirksville’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in Kirksville R-III School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri.
How much does Kirksville spend per student?
$12,724 in Kirksville R-III School District (FY2024), against $14,569 across Missouri. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Kirksville?
Yes: Faith Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 138 students), Mary Immaculate Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 93 students), Life Church School (religious, grades 1–12, 29 students) and Northeast Christian High School (religious, grades 9–12, 18 students).
Parents talk
What Kirksville families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Kirksville → 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.