Total enrollment
4,974
-464 (-9%) vs SY 2017-18
Barry County
Missouri · Public K-12
Public schools in Barry County, Missouri total 18, with combined enrollment of about 4,974 students against a county population of 35,033. That breaks down as 10 elementary, 2 middle, and 5 high.
7-year change in Barry County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
18
-1 (-5%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
75%
was 78%
% Hispanic
15%
was 15%
% Black
0%
was 0%
% Asian
4%
was 3%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
18
8 districts
Enrollment
4,974
NCES CCD
Median income
$58,346
Below Missouri avg
Free/reduced lunch
62.3%
Above Missouri avg
Elementary
10
2,974 students
Middle
2
581 students
High
5
1,397 students
Combined / other
1
22 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
CASSVILLE R-IV
1,821 students · 8 districts in Barry County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Barry County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
14.6%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
10.2%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.6%
civilian labor
Median age
43
22.8% under 18
Test scores in Barry County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 11 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 49.5%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- MONETT INTERMEDIATE· 92.0%
- SOUTHWEST ELEM.· 75.0%
- PURDY HIGH· 58.6%
- CASSVILLE MIDDLE· 48.3%
- PURDY ELEM.· 47.5%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- WHEATON HIGH· 24.9%
- EXETER ELEM.· 25.8%
- SOUTHWEST MIDDLE· 29.0%
- SHELL KNOB ELEM.· 30.6%
- CASSVILLE INTERMEDIATE· 36.1%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CASSVILLE HIGH | Cassville | High | 09-12 | 586 | · |
| MONETT ELEM. | Monett | Elementary | 01-03 | 515 | · |
| EUNICE THOMAS ELEM. | Cassville | Elementary | PK-02 | 457 | · |
| CASSVILLE MIDDLE | Cassville | Middle | 06-08 | 395 | · |
| CASSVILLE INTERMEDIATE | Cassville | Elementary | 03-05 | 383 | · |
| SOUTHWEST ELEM. | Washburn | Elementary | PK-04 | 349 | · |
| MONETT INTERMEDIATE | Monett | Elementary | 04-05 | 313 | · |
| PURDY ELEM. | Purdy | Elementary | KG-06 | 303 | · |
| PURDY HIGH | Purdy | High | 07-12 | 267 | · |
| WHEATON ELEM. | Wheaton | Elementary | PK-06 | 241 | · |
| SOUTHWEST HIGH | Washburn | High | 09-12 | 236 | · |
| EXETER ELEM. | Exeter | Elementary | PK-08 | 224 | · |
| WHEATON HIGH | Wheaton | High | 07-12 | 199 | · |
| SOUTHWEST MIDDLE | Washburn | Middle | 05-08 | 186 | · |
| SHELL KNOB ELEM. | Shell Knob | Elementary | PK-08 | 158 | · |
| EXETER HIGH | Exeter | High | 09-12 | 109 | · |
| Purdy Early Learning Center | Purdy | Elementary | PK-PK | 31 | · |
| OAKVIEW SCHOOL | Monett | Combined | KG-12 | 22 | · |
Cities in Barry County
About Barry County
In Missouri, Barry County is a low-population county of about 35,033 residents. 18 public schools across the county hosts about 4,974 students between them.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $58,346, about 15% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 10%. That income level is 5% lower than the Missouri median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Barry County comprises 10 elementary schools (2,974 students), 2 middle schools (581), 5 high schools (1,397), and 1 combined or other schools.
The largest single district in Barry County is CASSVILLE R-IV, which alone enrolls about 1,821 students.
Over the past 7-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 4,974 students, shrank 9% from the 5,438 reported in SY 2017-18. Over that span, Barry County closed 1 school, going from 19 to 18. On the demographic side, White enrollment moved from 78% to 75% over the same window.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Barry County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Barry County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data