Photo: Dave Herholz · CC BY-SA 2.0Sedalia’s public schools outscore 67% of Missouri districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Sedalia, 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.
Sedalia’s schools, in brief
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 42% and math 43% in spring 2022, against 43% and 39% statewide; 94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,113 per student, against $14,569 across Missouri (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Smith Cotton Junior High SCHL, then Smith-Cotton High School. Enrollment is up 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Pauls Lutheran 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 Sedalia’s grade
B+: better than 67% of Missouri school districts, #113 of 247 Missouri towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Missouri average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Sedalia, with each school’s own grade.
5th grade in Sedalia
Sedalia Middle School
Grades 5 · 396 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Sedalia
Smith Cotton Junior High SCHL
Grades 6–8 · 1,133 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Sedalia
Smith Cotton Junior High SCHL
Grades 6–8 · 1,133 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Sedalia
Smith Cotton Junior High SCHL
Grades 6–8 · 1,133 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Sedalia
Smith-Cotton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,551 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Sedalia
Smith-Cotton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,551 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Sedalia
Smith-Cotton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,551 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Sedalia
Smith-Cotton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,551 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Sedalia’s public schools are run by Sedalia 200 School District. Parts of Sedalia (7% of its land) are served by Pettis County R-XII 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.
Close to the state in reading
Sedalia vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Missouri towns that share Sedalia’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Sedalia | B+ | Sedalia 200 |
Every school in Sedalia
10 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: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (State Fair and E W Thompson).
Questions about Sedalia’s schools
Are Sedalia’s schools good?
By Missouri’s own tests, yes: the public schools Sedalia 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 71%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Sedalia in?
Sedalia 200 School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,209 students in 9 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Sedalia are served by Pettis County R-XII.
Where do Sedalia kids go to high school?
Smith-Cotton High School, with 1,551 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Sedalia’s graduation rate?
94% of the class of 2023 in Sedalia 200 School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri.
How much does Sedalia spend per student?
$12,113 in Sedalia 200 School District (FY2024), against $14,569 across Missouri. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Sedalia?
Yes: St. Pauls Lutheran School (religious, grades K–8, 54 students).
Parents talk
What Sedalia families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sedalia → 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.