Total enrollment
4,974
-9 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
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.
4-year change in Barry County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
18
+1 (+6%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Barry County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Missouri | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 35.1% | #72 of 100 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 4,974 | #35 of 101 | #1,340 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 18 | #31 of 101 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.8:1 | #68 of 101 | #821 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 62.3% | #26 of 101 | #1,006 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 41.2% | #24 of 99 | #1,442 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Barry County school rankings
Residents
35,033
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
18
8 districts
Enrollment
4,974
students · 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, 13 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 44.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- CASSVILLE HIGH· 53.7%
- CASSVILLE INTERMEDIATE· 47.8%
- MONETT INTERMEDIATE· 47.8%
- CASSVILLE MIDDLE· 44.2%
- WHEATON HIGH· 42.9%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- EXETER ELEM.· 18.7%
- SHELL KNOB ELEM.· 26.8%
- WHEATON ELEM.· 28.4%
- SOUTHWEST MIDDLE· 32.1%
- MONETT ELEM.· 32.9%
| 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 4-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 4,974 students, remained close to its prior level from the 4,983 reported in SY 2020-21. Over that span, Barry County added 1 school, going from 17 to 18.
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
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data