Barton County Schools & Education
Barton County, Missouri
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
48/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
91.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
91.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 91.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,842
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,334
School Score
48/100
Higher = better
State avg 43/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#42
of 115 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Barton County
School Verdict
Barton County performs at an average level with a school score of 48/100 and a solid graduation rate of 91.4%.
Funding Context
At $6,842 per pupil, Barton County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Barton County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 10% above the Missouri average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 0.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 8% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Barton County, Missouri
Barton County's Small-Scale School System
Barton County manages 1,658 students within 10 public schools across three school districts. The education landscape is composed of four elementary schools, two middle schools, and four high schools. This balanced structure ensures that students have dedicated facilities at every stage of their K-12 journey.
Strong Scores and State-Leading Investment
Barton County earns a school score of 53.9, outperforming the state average of 52.8 and the national median. The county’s $6,842 per-pupil expenditure is higher than the Missouri average of $6,334. These investments translate to a 91.4% graduation rate, which is higher than both state and national benchmarks.
Lamar R-I Dominates the County
The Lamar R-I district is the primary educator in the county, overseeing six schools and 1,227 students. Smaller districts like Liberal R-II and Golden City R-III serve fewer than 310 students each. The county maintains a traditional public school model with no charter schools currently available.
Quiet Schools with Personal Attention
Six of the county's schools are located in rural areas, while four are situated in town settings. Schools are relatively small, averaging 184 students per building, which fosters a close community feel. Lamar High is the largest at 393 students, while Liberal Elementary serves just 119.
Secure a Future in Lamar Schools
The high graduation rates and strong school scores make Barton County, particularly the Lamar R-I district, a top choice for families. Small class sizes and local town centers create an ideal environment for raising children. Explore local listings to find a home near these high-performing rural schools.
School Overview
Total Schools
10
in Barton County
Total Enrollment
1,658
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Barton County
LAMAR R-I
LIBERAL R-II
GOLDEN CITY R-III
10 Public Schools in Barton County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAMAR HIGH | LAMAR R-I | 9–12 | High | 393 |
| EAST ELEM. | LAMAR R-I | PK–2 | Primary | 275 |
| LAMAR ELEM. | LAMAR R-I | 3–5 | Primary | 268 |
| LAMAR MIDDLE | LAMAR R-I | 6–8 | Middle | 266 |
| LIBERAL ELEM. | LIBERAL R-II | PK–5 | Primary | 119 |
| LIBERAL HIGH | LIBERAL R-II | 9–12 | High | 116 |
| GOLDEN CITY HIGH | GOLDEN CITY R-III | 6–12 | High | 84 |
| GOLDEN CITY ELEM. | GOLDEN CITY R-III | PK–5 | Primary | 71 |
| LIBERAL MIDDLE | LIBERAL R-II | 6–8 | Middle | 66 |
| LAMAR CAREERTECHNICAL CENTER | LAMAR R-I | 9–12 | Vocational | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,842
State avg $6,334
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Barton County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Barton County?
How much does Barton County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Barton County, Missouri — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Barton County, Missouri?
Barton County manages 1,658 students within 10 public schools across three school districts. The education landscape is composed of four elementary schools, two middle schools, and four high schools. This balanced structure ensures that students have dedicated facilities at every stage of their K-12 journey.
How do schools in Barton County perform academically?
Barton County earns a school score of 53.9, outperforming the state average of 52.8 and the national median. The county’s $6,842 per-pupil expenditure is higher than the Missouri average of $6,334. These investments translate to a 91.4% graduation rate, which is higher than both state and national benchmarks.
What are the major school districts in Barton County, Missouri?
The Lamar R-I district is the primary educator in the county, overseeing six schools and 1,227 students. Smaller districts like Liberal R-II and Golden City R-III serve fewer than 310 students each. The county maintains a traditional public school model with no charter schools currently available.
What is the school experience like in Barton County?
Six of the county's schools are located in rural areas, while four are situated in town settings. Schools are relatively small, averaging 184 students per building, which fosters a close community feel. Lamar High is the largest at 393 students, while Liberal Elementary serves just 119.
How can I find homes near good schools in Barton County, Missouri?
The high graduation rates and strong school scores make Barton County, particularly the Lamar R-I district, a top choice for families. Small class sizes and local town centers create an ideal environment for raising children. Explore local listings to find a home near these high-performing rural schools.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.