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Rodgers Theatre BuildingRodgers Theatre Building · Photo: Michael Gäbler · CC BY-SA 3.0
B+
Schools in Poplar Bluff · Poplar Bluff R-I School District

Poplar Bluff’s public schools outscore 67% of Missouri districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Poplar Bluff, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Poplar Bluff’s districts is 44%, above the Missouri average (39%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Missouri, not nationally.

#113of 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
44%
▲ 1 pts vs MO 43%
2021–22
Math proficiency
44%
▲ 5 pts vs MO 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
92%
▲ 3 pts vs MO 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.7K
▼ 20% vs MO $14.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.6
MO 12.8 · larger classes
Schools in town
11
4,599 students on the public path
In brief

Poplar Bluff’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 415 Missouri towns with household incomes within a quarter of Poplar Bluff’s, its schools beat 76%, higher than their 67% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 44% and math 44% in spring 2022, against 43% and 39% statewide; 92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,725 per student, against $14,569 across Missouri (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then three elementary, one middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

First Baptist School (private) and Sacred Heart 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Poplar Bluff’s grade

B+ Test scoresC+ Graduation

B+: better than 67% of Missouri school districts, #113 of 247 Missouri towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Missouri average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Missouri school districts we grade (535)Better than 67%
Lower resultsHigher results
Missouri towns with similar household incomes (415)Better than 76%
BA−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,734 test results and a graduating class of 384 could put Poplar Bluff anywhere from B to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Poplar Bluff’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,810 in math, 2,659 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
KPoplar Bluff Kindergarten CTR.Poplar Bluff R-I School DistrictNo scores
1–33 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A+
7–8Poplar Bluff JR. HighPoplar Bluff R-I School DistrictB
9–12Poplar Bluff HighPoplar Bluff R-I School DistrictC

Poplar Bluff’s public schools are run by Poplar Bluff R-I School District. 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.

Poplar Bluff R-I School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 9 schools · 4,899 students, down 5% since 2020–21 · 13.6 per teacher (MO 12.8)
$11,725MO $14,569 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Close to the state in reading

Reading44%
State average 43.2% · 2659 students tested
Math44%
State average 39.2% · 2810 students tested

Poplar Bluff vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Poplar BluffB+Poplar Bluff R-I

Every school in Poplar Bluff

11 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).

District schools in Poplar Bluffby address
Poplar Bluff Early Childhood C
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
295 students17:1Rate it →
Poplar Bluff Kindergarten CTR.
Elementary · Grades K
333 students12:1Rate it →
O'Neal Elem.
Elementary · Grades 1–3
A−
344 students12:1Rate it →
Oak Grove Elem.
Elementary · Grades 1–3
A
317 students14:1Rate it →
Eugene Field Elem.
Elementary · Grades 1–3
A+
227 students9:1Rate it →
Poplar Bluff Middle School
Middle · Grades 4–6
B−
932 students13:1Rate it →
Poplar Bluff JR. High
Middle · Grades 7–8
B
735 students13:1Rate it →
Poplar Bluff High
High · Grades 9–12
C
1,416 students16:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Poplar Bluffrun by other districts or the state
Shady Grove School
Grades K–12
D
Special Education
39 students5:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
First Baptist School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Private · Religious
87 students14:1Rate it →
Sacred Heart School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Private · Catholic
71 students13:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Poplar Bluff Tech. Career CTR.).

Questions about Poplar Bluff’s schools

Are Poplar Bluff’s schools good?

By Missouri’s own tests, yes: the public schools Poplar Bluff children attend outscore 67% of Missouri’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #113 of 247 Missouri towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 76%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Poplar Bluff in?

Poplar Bluff R-I School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,899 students in 9 schools (2024–25).

Where do Poplar Bluff kids go to high school?

Poplar Bluff High, with 1,416 students; its own test results earn a C.

What is Poplar Bluff’s graduation rate?

92% of the class of 2023 in Poplar Bluff R-I School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri.

How much does Poplar Bluff spend per student?

$11,725 in Poplar Bluff R-I School District (FY2024), against $14,569 across Missouri. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Poplar Bluff?

Yes: First Baptist School (religious, grades PK–6, 87 students) and Sacred Heart School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 71 students).

Parents talk

What Poplar Bluff families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Poplar Bluff → 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.