Polk County Schools & Education
Polk County, Missouri
School Score
29/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
89.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
89.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 91.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,826
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,334
School Score
29/100
Higher = better
State avg 43/100
State School Rank
#101
of 115 counties (1 = best)
Explore Polk County across the ByCounty Network
Education Overview
About Schools in Polk County, Missouri
Rural education across six school districts
Polk County provides education to 5,082 students through 21 public schools. The system is distributed across six districts and includes seven elementary schools and six high schools. The county also maintains four 'other' designated schools to provide flexible learning paths.
Competitive graduation rates with lean funding
The county maintains an 89.4% graduation rate, which beats the 87% national average despite trailing the state average slightly. Polk County operates with lean per-pupil spending of $5,826, which is lower than both state and national benchmarks. Its school score of 50.7 places it right near the national median.
Bolivar R-I anchors the local community
Bolivar R-I is the largest district by far, serving 2,777 students across five schools. Pleasant Hope R-VI follows as the second largest, managing four schools for 752 students. The county does not host any charter schools, relying entirely on its six traditional public districts.
A predominantly rural learning experience
Fifteen of the county's 21 schools are located in rural settings, offering students a classic country school feel. Campuses are relatively small, with an average enrollment of 267 students across the county. Bolivar High is the largest single campus, housing 839 students.
Settle into a dedicated rural community
Polk County is an excellent choice for families seeking a rural lifestyle without sacrificing educational quality. The Bolivar area offers the most concentrated school resources and a strong community spirit centered around the local high school. Homebuyers can enjoy the lower cost of living while benefiting from graduation rates that beat national norms.
School Overview
Total Schools
21
in Polk County
Total Enrollment
5,082
students
School Districts
6
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Type Breakdown
6 School Districts in Polk County
BOLIVAR R-I
PLEASANT HOPE R-VI
MARION C. EARLY R-V
HUMANSVILLE R-IV
FAIR PLAY R-II
HALFWAY R-III
21 Public Schools in Polk County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOLIVAR HIGH | BOLIVAR R-I | 9–12 | High | 839 |
| BOLIVAR MIDDLE | BOLIVAR R-I | 6–8 | Middle | 601 |
| BOLIVAR INTERMEDIATE SCH. | BOLIVAR R-I | 3–5 | Primary | 598 |
| BOLIVAR PRIMARY | BOLIVAR R-I | KG–2 | Primary | 589 |
| PLEASANT HOPE HIGH | PLEASANT HOPE R-VI | 9–12 | High | 282 |
| PLEASANT HOPE ELEM. | PLEASANT HOPE R-VI | PK–4 | Primary | 268 |
| MARION C. EARLY ELEM. | MARION C. EARLY R-V | PK–5 | Primary | 259 |
| PLEASANT HOPE MIDDLE | PLEASANT HOPE R-VI | 5–8 | Middle | 202 |
| FAIR PLAY ELEM. | FAIR PLAY R-II | KG–6 | Primary | 188 |
| HUMANSVILLE ELEM. | HUMANSVILLE R-IV | PK–5 | Primary | 177 |
| MARION C. EARLY HIGH | MARION C. EARLY R-V | 9–12 | High | 161 |
| HALFWAY ELEM. | HALFWAY R-III | PK–6 | Primary | 154 |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CNTR | BOLIVAR R-I | PK | Other | 150 |
| MARION C. EARLY JUNIOR HIGH | MARION C. EARLY R-V | 6–8 | Middle | 146 |
| FAIR PLAY HIGH | FAIR PLAY R-II | 7–12 | High | 139 |
| HALFWAY SECONDARY | HALFWAY R-III | 7–12 | High | 118 |
| HUMANSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL | HUMANSVILLE R-IV | 6–8 | Middle | 104 |
| HUMANSVILLE HIGH | HUMANSVILLE R-IV | 9–12 | High | 87 |
| LITTLE STINGERS PRESCHOOL | FAIR PLAY R-II | PK | Other | 20 |
| Exceptional Pupil Coop.-ECSE | LAKELAND R-III | PK | Other | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,826
State avg $6,334
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Polk County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Polk County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Polk County, Missouri — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Polk County, Missouri?
Polk County provides education to 5,082 students through 21 public schools. The system is distributed across six districts and includes seven elementary schools and six high schools. The county also maintains four 'other' designated schools to provide flexible learning paths.
How do schools in Polk County perform academically?
The county maintains an 89.4% graduation rate, which beats the 87% national average despite trailing the state average slightly. Polk County operates with lean per-pupil spending of $5,826, which is lower than both state and national benchmarks. Its school score of 50.7 places it right near the national median.
What are the major school districts in Polk County, Missouri?
Bolivar R-I is the largest district by far, serving 2,777 students across five schools. Pleasant Hope R-VI follows as the second largest, managing four schools for 752 students. The county does not host any charter schools, relying entirely on its six traditional public districts.
What is the school experience like in Polk County?
Fifteen of the county's 21 schools are located in rural settings, offering students a classic country school feel. Campuses are relatively small, with an average enrollment of 267 students across the county. Bolivar High is the largest single campus, housing 839 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Polk County, Missouri?
Polk County is an excellent choice for families seeking a rural lifestyle without sacrificing educational quality. The Bolivar area offers the most concentrated school resources and a strong community spirit centered around the local high school. Homebuyers can enjoy the lower cost of living while benefiting from graduation rates that beat national norms.
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.