Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5St. Joseph’s public schools score below 79% of Missouri districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 31% of St. Joseph’s students scored proficient, below the Missouri average (39%). The grade covers the public school district serving St. 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.
St. Joseph’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 627 Missouri towns with household incomes within a quarter of St. Joseph’s, its schools beat 15%, lower than their 21% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 31% in math, against 43% and 39% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
77% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,605 per student, against $14,569 across Missouri (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
12 elementary schools, then four middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Joseph Christian School (private), St. Paul Lutheran School (private), St. Francis Xavier School (private), Cathedral of ST. Joseph (private), Bishop Leblond (private), Bishop Leblond High School (private), St. James School (private) and South Park Christian Academy (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 St. Joseph’s grade
C−: better than 21% of Missouri school districts, #209 of 247 Missouri towns. Both inputs trail the Missouri average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve St. Joseph, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in St. Joseph · depends on your address
Central High
Grades 9–12 · 1,733 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in St Joseph
Benton High
Grades 9–12 · 682 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in St Joseph
Lafayette High
Grades 9–12 · 644 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in St Joseph
10th grade in St. Joseph · depends on your address
Central High
Grades 9–12 · 1,733 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in St Joseph
Benton High
Grades 9–12 · 682 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in St Joseph
Lafayette High
Grades 9–12 · 644 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in St Joseph
11th grade in St. Joseph · depends on your address
Central High
Grades 9–12 · 1,733 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in St Joseph
Benton High
Grades 9–12 · 682 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in St Joseph
Lafayette High
Grades 9–12 · 644 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in St Joseph
12th grade in St. Joseph · depends on your address
Central High
Grades 9–12 · 1,733 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in St Joseph
Benton High
Grades 9–12 · 682 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in St Joseph
Lafayette High
Grades 9–12 · 644 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in St Joseph
St. Joseph’s public schools are run by St. Joseph 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.
Well below the state in reading
St. Joseph vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Missouri towns that share St. Joseph’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph | C− | St. Joseph |
Washington, KS borders St. Joseph but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in St. Joseph
30 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: 5 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Western Recept/Diag Corr Centr, Western Region Treatment Centr, Buchanan Co. Academy, Hillyard Technical CTR. and Alt. Resource CTR.).
Questions about St. Joseph’s schools
Are St. Joseph’s schools good?
On Missouri’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools St. Joseph children attend score below 79% of Missouri’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #209 of 247 Missouri towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 15%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is St. Joseph in?
St. Joseph School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 10,430 students in 22 schools (2024–25).
Where do St. Joseph kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Central High, Benton High and Lafayette High.
What is St. Joseph’s graduation rate?
77% of the class of 2023 in St. Joseph School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri.
How much does St. Joseph spend per student?
$13,605 in St. Joseph School District (FY2024), against $14,569 across Missouri. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in St. Joseph?
Yes: St. Joseph Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 524 students), St. Paul Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 357 students), St. Francis Xavier School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 237 students), Cathedral of ST. Joseph (Catholic, grades K–8, 161 students), Bishop Leblond (Catholic, grades 9–12, 150 students), Bishop Leblond High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 148 students), St. James School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 106 students) and South Park Christian Academy (religious, grades K–12, 30 students).
Parents talk
What St. Joseph families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near St. Joseph → 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.