Pulaski County Schools & Education
Pulaski County, Missouri
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
37/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
90.1%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
90.1%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 91.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,230
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,334
School Score
37/100
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
#84
of 115 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Pulaski County
School Verdict
Despite a lower school score of 37/100, Pulaski County maintains a strong graduation rate of 90.1%, suggesting effective student support systems.
Funding Context
At $6,230 per pupil, Pulaski County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Pulaski County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 15% below the Missouri average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 2% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Pulaski County, Missouri
Serving nearly 9,000 students in central Missouri
Pulaski County operates 22 public schools that serve a total of 8,904 students across six districts. The infrastructure includes 10 elementary schools and six high schools, creating a strong pipeline for student development. Three additional 'other' schools provide specialized educational opportunities for the region.
Reliable outcomes and steady school funding
The county reports a 90.1% graduation rate, significantly exceeding the national average of 87%. Per-pupil spending is $6,230, sitting just below the state average of $6,334 but reflecting efficient resource management. With a school score of 51.9, the county performs near the state median for academic quality.
Waynesville R-VI defines the regional system
Waynesville R-VI is the dominant district, managing 11 schools and 6,155 students, which is more than half of the county's total enrollment. Dixon R-I and Laquey R-V serve smaller student bodies of roughly 800 to 900 each. Traditional public schools make up 100% of the county's options, as there are no charter schools.
A mix of town and rural campuses
The county is evenly split between 11 rural schools and 11 town-based schools, offering varied environments for families. The average school size is 424 students, though Waynesville Sr. High is notably large with ,1704 students. Smaller elementary schools like those in Dixon provide a more intimate community feel.
Find a home in the Waynesville heartland
Families moving to Pulaski County often gravitate toward the Waynesville R-VI district for its diverse school levels and strong graduation rates. The area offers a perfect balance of rural scenery and town amenities near major school campuses. Choosing a home here means accessing a school system that consistently outperforms national graduation benchmarks.
School Overview
Total Schools
22
in Pulaski County
Total Enrollment
8,904
students
School Districts
6
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
6 School Districts in Pulaski County
WAYNESVILLE R-VI
DIXON R-I
LAQUEY R-V
CROCKER R-II
RICHLAND R-IV
SWEDEBORG R-III
22 Public Schools in Pulaski County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAYNESVILLE SR. HIGH | WAYNESVILLE R-VI | 9–12 | High | 1,704 |
| FREEDOM ELEM. | WAYNESVILLE R-VI | KG–5 | Primary | 961 |
| WAYNESVILLE EAST ELEM. | WAYNESVILLE R-VI | KG–5 | Primary | 929 |
| WAYNESVILLE MIDDLE | WAYNESVILLE R-VI | 7–8 | Middle | 865 |
| 6TH GRADE CENTER | WAYNESVILLE R-VI | 6 | Middle | 450 |
| DIXON ELEM. | DIXON R-I | PK–5 | Primary | 394 |
| PARTRIDGE ELEM. | WAYNESVILLE R-VI | KG–5 | Primary | 352 |
| LAQUEY R-V HIGH | LAQUEY R-V | 7–12 | High | 312 |
| WOOD ELEM. | WAYNESVILLE R-VI | KG–5 | Primary | 309 |
| LAQUEY R-V ELEM. | LAQUEY R-V | PK–6 | Primary | 303 |
| CROCKER HIGH | CROCKER R-II | 6–12 | High | 299 |
| WILLIAMS EARLY CHILDHOOD CTR | WAYNESVILLE R-VI | PK | Other | 296 |
| DIXON HIGH | DIXON R-I | 9–12 | High | 277 |
| CROCKER ELEM. | CROCKER R-II | PK–5 | Primary | 265 |
| RICHLAND ELEM. | RICHLAND R-IV | PK–6 | Primary | 257 |
| THAYER ELEM. | WAYNESVILLE R-VI | KG–5 | Primary | 249 |
| DIXON MIDDLE | DIXON R-I | 6–8 | Middle | 227 |
| RICHLAND HIGH | RICHLAND R-IV | 7–12 | High | 204 |
| Missouri Digital Academy | LAQUEY R-V | KG–12 | Other | 173 |
| Parker Educational Center | WAYNESVILLE R-VI | PK | Other | 40 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,230
State avg $6,334
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Pulaski County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Pulaski County?
How much does Pulaski County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Pulaski County, Missouri — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Pulaski County, Missouri?
Pulaski County operates 22 public schools that serve a total of 8,904 students across six districts. The infrastructure includes 10 elementary schools and six high schools, creating a strong pipeline for student development. Three additional 'other' schools provide specialized educational opportunities for the region.
How do schools in Pulaski County perform academically?
The county reports a 90.1% graduation rate, significantly exceeding the national average of 87%. Per-pupil spending is $6,230, sitting just below the state average of $6,334 but reflecting efficient resource management. With a school score of 51.9, the county performs near the state median for academic quality.
What are the major school districts in Pulaski County, Missouri?
Waynesville R-VI is the dominant district, managing 11 schools and 6,155 students, which is more than half of the county's total enrollment. Dixon R-I and Laquey R-V serve smaller student bodies of roughly 800 to 900 each. Traditional public schools make up 100% of the county's options, as there are no charter schools.
What is the school experience like in Pulaski County?
The county is evenly split between 11 rural schools and 11 town-based schools, offering varied environments for families. The average school size is 424 students, though Waynesville Sr. High is notably large with ,1704 students. Smaller elementary schools like those in Dixon provide a more intimate community feel.
How can I find homes near good schools in Pulaski County, Missouri?
Families moving to Pulaski County often gravitate toward the Waynesville R-VI district for its diverse school levels and strong graduation rates. The area offers a perfect balance of rural scenery and town amenities near major school campuses. Choosing a home here means accessing a school system that consistently outperforms national graduation benchmarks.
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.