Dent County Schools & Education

Dent County, Missouri

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

53/100

Higher = better

Rating

Average

Graduation Rate

97.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

97.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 91.3%

Per-Pupil Spending

$5,742

National avg $13,239

State avg $6,334

School Score

53/100

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

#30

of 115 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Dent County

School Verdict

Dent County performs at an average level with a school score of 53/100 and a solid graduation rate of 97.0%.

Funding Context

At $5,742 per pupil, Dent County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Dent County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 23% above the Missouri average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 5.7 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 9% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Dent County, Missouri

A Local Look at Dent County Education

Dent County operates a network of 9 public schools serving 2,245 students across 5 distinct districts. The infrastructure includes 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school to support the local community.

High Graduation Rates Despite Lean Funding

The county boasts an impressive 97.0% graduation rate, far exceeding the Missouri state average of 91.3% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. Educators achieve these results with a per-pupil expenditure of $5,742, which sits below the state average of $6,334.

Salem R-80 Leads the County

Salem R-80 is the largest district, managing 4 schools and educating 1,464 students. There are currently no charter schools in the county, maintaining a traditional public school structure for all residents.

A Blend of Town and Rural Settings

Students attend schools in mostly town and rural locales, with an average school size of 249 students. Salem Senior High is the largest campus with 616 students, while the county also hosts specialized facilities like a dedicated special education school.

Strong Schools for Your New Home

With graduation rates among the highest in the state, Dent County is a compelling choice for families. Explore homes in the Salem area to take advantage of a school system that consistently outperforms national academic benchmarks.

School Overview

Total Schools

9

in Dent County

Total Enrollment

2,245

students

School Districts

5

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary6
Middle1
High1
Other1

5 School Districts in Dent County

SALEM R-80

4 schools
1,464 students

DENT-PHELPS R-III

1 school
273 students

NORTH WOOD R-IV

1 school
215 students

GREEN FOREST R-II

1 school
155 students

OAK HILL R-I

1 school
131 students

9 Public Schools in Dent County

SALEM SR. HIGH

SALEM R-80

9–12High616 students
SALEM UPPER ELEM.

SALEM R-80

2–5Primary336 students
DENT-PHELPS ELEM.

DENT-PHELPS R-III

PK–8Primary273 students
SALEM MIDDLE SCHOOL

SALEM R-80

6–8Middle265 students
WM. H. LYNCH ELEM.

SALEM R-80

PK–1Primary247 students
NORTH WOOD ELEM.

NORTH WOOD R-IV

PK–8Primary215 students
GREEN FOREST ELEM.

GREEN FOREST R-II

KG–8Primary155 students
OAK HILL ELEM.

OAK HILL R-I

KG–8Primary131 students
OZARK HILLS SCHOOL

MO SCHLS FOR THE SEV DISABLED

KG–12Special Education7 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$5,742

State avg $6,334

Find Homes Near Top Schools

Browse homes in Dent County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.

Search on Zillow →

Find a Tutor in Dent County

Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.

Find a Tutor →

Sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Dent County rate?
Dent County has a school score of 53/100, which is considered average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Dent County?
The high school graduation rate in Dent County is 97.0%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Dent County spend per student?
Dent County spends $5,742 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Dent County, Missouri — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Dent County, Missouri?

Dent County operates a network of 9 public schools serving 2,245 students across 5 distinct districts. The infrastructure includes 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school to support the local community.

How do schools in Dent County perform academically?

The county boasts an impressive 97.0% graduation rate, far exceeding the Missouri state average of 91.3% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. Educators achieve these results with a per-pupil expenditure of $5,742, which sits below the state average of $6,334.

What are the major school districts in Dent County, Missouri?

Salem R-80 is the largest district, managing 4 schools and educating 1,464 students. There are currently no charter schools in the county, maintaining a traditional public school structure for all residents.

What is the school experience like in Dent County?

Students attend schools in mostly town and rural locales, with an average school size of 249 students. Salem Senior High is the largest campus with 616 students, while the county also hosts specialized facilities like a dedicated special education school.

How can I find homes near good schools in Dent County, Missouri?

With graduation rates among the highest in the state, Dent County is a compelling choice for families. Explore homes in the Salem area to take advantage of a school system that consistently outperforms national academic benchmarks.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.