Lafayette County Schools & Education
Lafayette County, Missouri
School Score
56/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
95.5%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
95.5%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 91.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,291
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,334
School Score
56/100
Higher = better
State avg 43/100
State School Rank
#15
of 115 counties (1 = best)
Explore Lafayette County across the ByCounty Network
Education Overview
About Schools in Lafayette County, Missouri
A Broad Spectrum of Lafayette County Districts
Lafayette County hosts 19 public schools serving 5,242 students across six distinct districts. The education landscape includes seven elementary schools and eight high schools, reflecting a commitment to maintaining local high schools in smaller towns. This distributed system ensures that students stay connected to their local communities throughout their education.
Top-Tier Graduation Rates and Solid Scores
The county excels with a 95.5% graduation rate, one of the highest in the region and well above the national 87% average. Spending is nearly on par with the state average at $6,291 per pupil. These efforts yield a school score of 54.9, which comfortably exceeds the Missouri state average of 52.8.
Odessa R-VII Leads Local Enrollment
Odessa R-VII is the largest district in the county, educating 2,041 students in four schools. Other significant districts include Lexington R-V and Lafayette Co. C-1, each serving nearly 1,000 students. There are no charter schools in the county, focusing all local public resources into these established community districts.
Classic Town and Rural Learning Environments
The county features 10 schools in town settings and 9 in rural areas, offering a classic midwestern educational feel. Odessa High is the largest school with 664 students, while the countywide average school size is relatively small at 291 students. This small-to-midsize scale allows for manageable class sizes and strong community involvement.
Secure Your Family's Future in Lafayette County
With a 95.5% graduation rate, Lafayette County is an excellent choice for education-minded homebuyers. The Odessa R-VII and Lafayette Co. C-1 districts offer a blend of high academic scores and community-focused school environments. Consider how these high-performing districts can contribute to your family's quality of life and your home's long-term value.
School Overview
Total Schools
19
in Lafayette County
Total Enrollment
5,242
students
School Districts
6
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Type Breakdown
6 School Districts in Lafayette County
ODESSA R-VII
LEXINGTON R-V
LAFAYETTE CO. C-1
CONCORDIA R-II
WELLINGTON-NAPOLEON R-IX
SANTA FE R-X
19 Public Schools in Lafayette County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODESSA HIGH | ODESSA R-VII | 9–12 | High | 664 |
| ODESSA MIDDLE | ODESSA R-VII | 6–8 | Middle | 494 |
| MCQUERRY ELEMENTARY | ODESSA R-VII | PK–2 | Primary | 461 |
| GRANDVIEW ELEM. | LAFAYETTE CO. C-1 | PK–5 | Primary | 457 |
| ODESSA UPPER ELEMENTARY | ODESSA R-VII | 3–5 | Primary | 422 |
| LESLIE BELL ELEM. | LEXINGTON R-V | PK–4 | Primary | 405 |
| LEXINGTON HIGH | LEXINGTON R-V | 9–12 | High | 328 |
| LAFAYETTE CO. HIGH | LAFAYETTE CO. C-1 | 9–12 | High | 310 |
| CONCORDIA ELEM. | CONCORDIA R-II | PK–6 | Primary | 276 |
| LEXINGTON MIDDLE | LEXINGTON R-V | 5–8 | Middle | 264 |
| LAFAYETTE CO. MIDDLE | LAFAYETTE CO. C-1 | 6–8 | Middle | 213 |
| WELLINGTON-NAPOLEON HIGH | WELLINGTON-NAPOLEON R-IX | 6–12 | High | 208 |
| CONCORDIA HIGH | CONCORDIA R-II | 7–12 | High | 191 |
| WELLINGTON-NAPOLEON ELEM. | WELLINGTON-NAPOLEON R-IX | PK–5 | Primary | 174 |
| SANTA FE HIGH | SANTA FE R-X | 7–12 | High | 172 |
| SANTA FE ELEM. | SANTA FE R-X | PK–6 | Primary | 162 |
| WAVERLY REGIONAL YOUTH CTR. | DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICE | 6–12 | High | 34 |
| ROLLING MEADOW SCHOOL | MO SCHLS FOR THE SEV DISABLED | KG–12 | Special Education | 7 |
| LEX LA-RAY TECHNICAL CTR. | LEXINGTON R-V | 9–12 | Vocational | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,291
State avg $6,334
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Lafayette County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Lafayette County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Lafayette County, Missouri — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Lafayette County, Missouri?
Lafayette County hosts 19 public schools serving 5,242 students across six distinct districts. The education landscape includes seven elementary schools and eight high schools, reflecting a commitment to maintaining local high schools in smaller towns. This distributed system ensures that students stay connected to their local communities throughout their education.
How do schools in Lafayette County perform academically?
The county excels with a 95.5% graduation rate, one of the highest in the region and well above the national 87% average. Spending is nearly on par with the state average at $6,291 per pupil. These efforts yield a school score of 54.9, which comfortably exceeds the Missouri state average of 52.8.
What are the major school districts in Lafayette County, Missouri?
Odessa R-VII is the largest district in the county, educating 2,041 students in four schools. Other significant districts include Lexington R-V and Lafayette Co. C-1, each serving nearly 1,000 students. There are no charter schools in the county, focusing all local public resources into these established community districts.
What is the school experience like in Lafayette County?
The county features 10 schools in town settings and 9 in rural areas, offering a classic midwestern educational feel. Odessa High is the largest school with 664 students, while the countywide average school size is relatively small at 291 students. This small-to-midsize scale allows for manageable class sizes and strong community involvement.
How can I find homes near good schools in Lafayette County, Missouri?
With a 95.5% graduation rate, Lafayette County is an excellent choice for education-minded homebuyers. The Odessa R-VII and Lafayette Co. C-1 districts offer a blend of high academic scores and community-focused school environments. Consider how these high-performing districts can contribute to your family's quality of life and your home's long-term value.
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.