Howell County Schools & Education
Howell County, Missouri
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
58/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Midrange Signal
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
$6,195
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,334
School Score
58/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 43/100
State Score Position
#13
of 115 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Howell County
Measured School Summary
Howell County performs at an average level with a school score of 58/100 and a solid graduation rate of 97.0%.
Funding Context
At $6,195 per pupil, Howell County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 34% above the Missouri average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 5.7 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 2% lower than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Howell County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
15 public schools and 7 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
58/100
Mixed county signal. Ranks #13 of 115 Missouri counties with school score data.
Completion
97.0%
5.7 pts above the state average
Funding context
$6,195
$139 below the state average
School coverage
15
7 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
This county needs a closer look at district mix, school level, and local context. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Howell County has 15 public schools across 7 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Howell County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Mixed school landscape
Howell County has enough school-level records to compare the local mix, but no single county metric should be treated as the answer. Use district shape, grade span, and data coverage together.
State position
#13
of 115 Missouri counties with school score data. The county score is 15 points above the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
WEST PLAINS R-VII
Elementary to high school visible
2,698 students
5 listed schools in this county slice.
WILLOW SPRINGS R-IV
Elementary to high school visible
1,281 students
3 listed schools in this county slice.
FAIRVIEW R-XI
Elementary school only in this slice
519 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
RICHARDS R-V
Elementary school only in this slice
372 students
1 listed school in this county slice.
District reality check
WEST PLAINS R-VII is the largest listed district slice, with 5 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Howell County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Howell County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
If we need a program not visible in the NCES flags, which district office can confirm current offerings?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Howell County, Missouri
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
A Large Rural Hub of Education
Howell County operates 15 public schools, serving a significant population of 5,961 students across seven districts. The system is elementary-heavy with nine primary schools, complemented by middle and high school facilities.
West Plains R-VII Sets the Standard
The West Plains R-VII district is the regional powerhouse, educating 2,698 students across five campuses. While the county has no charter schools, it does offer specialized education through one dedicated special education school.
Large Campuses in a Rural Landscape
Despite having 13 rural schools, the average school size is quite large at 426 students. West Plains Senior High is the county's largest campus, with 1,162 students creating a vibrant, high-school-centered community.
School Overview
Total Schools
15
in Howell County
Reported Enrollment
5,961
15 schools reporting
School Districts
7
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Level Breakdown
7 School Districts in Howell County
WEST PLAINS R-VII
WILLOW SPRINGS R-IV
FAIRVIEW R-XI
RICHARDS R-V
GLENWOOD R-VIII
HOWELL VALLEY R-I
JUNCTION HILL C-12
15 Public Schools in Howell County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 1 high-enrollment school; every NCES public school remains listed here.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 15 of 15 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEST PLAINS SR. HIGH | Profile | WEST PLAINS R-VII | WEST PLAINS, 65775Rural: Fringe | 9–12 | High | 1,162 |
| WEST PLAINS ELEM. | Record | WEST PLAINS R-VII | WEST PLAINS, 65775Rural: Fringe | PK–4 | Primary | 766 |
| WEST PLAINS MIDDLE | Record | WEST PLAINS R-VII | WEST PLAINS, 65775Rural: Fringe | 5–8 | Middle | 611 |
| WILLOW SPRINGS ELEM. | Record | WILLOW SPRINGS R-IV | WILLOW SPRINGS, 65793Rural: Remote | PK–4 | Primary | 525 |
| FAIRVIEW ELEM. | Record | FAIRVIEW R-XI | WEST PLAINS, 65775Rural: Fringe | PK–8 | Primary | 519 |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEM. | Record | MOUNTAIN VIEW-BIRCH TREE R-III | MOUNTAIN VIEW, 65548Rural: Remote | PK–5 | Primary | 404 |
| WILLOW SPRINGS HIGH | Record | WILLOW SPRINGS R-IV | WILLOW SPRINGS, 65793Rural: Remote | 9–12 | High | 387 |
| RICHARDS ELEM. | Record | RICHARDS R-V | WEST PLAINS, 65775Rural: Fringe | PK–8 | Primary | 372 |
| WILLOW SPRINGS MIDDLE | Record | WILLOW SPRINGS R-IV | WILLOW SPRINGS, 65793Rural: Remote | 5–8 | Middle | 369 |
| GLENWOOD ELEM. | Record | GLENWOOD R-VIII | WEST PLAINS, 65775Rural: Fringe | PK–8 | Primary | 236 |
| HOWELL VALLEY ELEM. | Record | HOWELL VALLEY R-I | WEST PLAINS, 65775Rural: Fringe | PK–8 | Primary | 224 |
| JUNCTION HILL ELEM. | Record | JUNCTION HILL C-12 | WEST PLAINS, 65775Rural: Distant | PK–8 | Primary | 209 |
| SOUTH FORK ELEM. | Record | WEST PLAINS R-VII | WEST PLAINS, 65775Rural: Distant | PK–6 | Primary | 159 |
| OZARK HORIZON SCHOOL | Record | MO SCHLS FOR THE SEV DISABLED | WEST PLAINS, 65775Town: Remote | KG–12 | Special Education | 18 |
| SOUTH CENTRAL CAREER CTR. | Record | WEST PLAINS R-VII | WEST PLAINS, 65775Town: Remote | 9–12 | Vocational | 0 |
WEST PLAINS SR. HIGH
WEST PLAINS R-VII
WEST PLAINS, 65775 / Rural: Fringe
WILLOW SPRINGS ELEM.
WILLOW SPRINGS R-IV
WILLOW SPRINGS, 65793 / Rural: Remote
MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEM.
MOUNTAIN VIEW-BIRCH TREE R-III
MOUNTAIN VIEW, 65548 / Rural: Remote
WILLOW SPRINGS HIGH
WILLOW SPRINGS R-IV
WILLOW SPRINGS, 65793 / Rural: Remote
WILLOW SPRINGS MIDDLE
WILLOW SPRINGS R-IV
WILLOW SPRINGS, 65793 / Rural: Remote
JUNCTION HILL ELEM.
JUNCTION HILL C-12
WEST PLAINS, 65775 / Rural: Distant
OZARK HORIZON SCHOOL
MO SCHLS FOR THE SEV DISABLED
WEST PLAINS, 65775 / Town: Remote
SOUTH CENTRAL CAREER CTR.
WEST PLAINS R-VII
WEST PLAINS, 65775 / Town: Remote
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,195
State avg $6,334
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Howell County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which Missouri counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in Missouri?
How should I read the school score in Howell County?
What is the graduation rate in Howell County?
How much does Howell County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Howell County, Missouri — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Howell County, Missouri?
Howell County operates 15 public schools, serving a significant population of 5,961 students across seven districts. The system is elementary-heavy with nine primary schools, complemented by middle and high school facilities.
What are the major school districts in Howell County, Missouri?
The West Plains R-VII district is the regional powerhouse, educating 2,698 students across five campuses. While the county has no charter schools, it does offer specialized education through one dedicated special education school.
What is the school experience like in Howell County?
Despite having 13 rural schools, the average school size is quite large at 426 students. West Plains Senior High is the county's largest campus, with 1,162 students creating a vibrant, high-school-centered community.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.