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Harry Truman Birthplace MemorialHarry Truman Birthplace Memorial · Photo: Karen Montgomery · CC BY-SA 2.0
B−
Schools in Lamar · Lamar R-I School District

Lamar’s public schools score below 52% of Missouri districts on tests and graduation

Reading proficiency in Lamar’s districts is 35%, below the Missouri average (43%). The grade covers the public school district serving Lamar, 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.

#161of 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
44%
▲ 5 pts vs MO 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 0–4 pts vs MO 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.3K
▼ 9% vs MO $14.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.6
MO 12.8
Schools in town
0
1,158 students on the public path
In brief

Lamar’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 252 Missouri towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lamar’s, its schools beat 55%, higher than their 48% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state in math, below in reading

Reading proficiency is 35% and math 44% in spring 2022, against 43% and 39% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,256 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 Lamar Elem., then Lamar Middle, then Lamar 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Lamar’s grade

B Test scoresC− Graduation

B−: better than 48% of Missouri school districts, #161 of 247 Missouri towns. Both inputs trail the Missouri average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Missouri school districts we grade (535)Better than 48%
Lower resultsHigher results
Missouri towns with similar household incomes (252)Better than 55%
CB+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 674 test results and a graduating class of 105 could put Lamar anywhere from C to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Lamar’s students in the tested grades sat them (730 in math, 619 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–2East Elem.Lamar R-I School DistrictNo scores
3–5Lamar Elem.Lamar R-I School DistrictB−
6–8Lamar MiddleLamar R-I School DistrictB−
9–12Lamar HighLamar R-I School DistrictC

Lamar’s public schools are run by Lamar R-I School District, which also serves Central, City, Doylesport and Lamar Heights and others. 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.

Lamar R-I School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,158 students · 12.6 per teacher (MO 12.8)
$13,256MO $14,569 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading35%
State average 43.2% · 619 students tested
Math44%
State average 39.2% · 730 students tested

Lamar vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
LamarB−Lamar R-I
CityB−Lamar R-I
Lamar Heights—Lamar R-I

All 2 neighbors share Lamar R-I with Lamar, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Lamar

4 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).

Also serving Lamarin other towns
East Elem.
Elementary · Grades PK–2
281 students12:1Rate it →
Lamar Elem.
Elementary · Grades 3–5
B−
253 students12:1Rate it →
Lamar Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
255 students12:1Rate it →
Lamar High
High · Grades 9–12
C
369 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about Lamar’s schools

Are Lamar’s schools good?

On Missouri’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lamar children attend score below 52% of Missouri’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #161 of 247 Missouri towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 55%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Lamar in?

Lamar R-I School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,158 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Lamar kids go to high school?

Lamar High, with 369 students; its own test results earn a C.

What is Lamar’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Lamar R-I School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri.

How much does Lamar spend per student?

$13,256 in Lamar R-I School District (FY2024), against $14,569 across Missouri. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Lamar families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lamar → 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.