Total enrollment
10,312
-154 (-1%) vs SY 2020-21
Cole County
Missouri · Public K-12
Public-school enrollment in Cole County clocks in around 10,312 students across 28 schools (15 elementary, 3 middle, and 9 high).
4-year change in Cole County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
23
+1 (+5%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Cole County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Missouri | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 45.5% | #19 of 100 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 10,312 | #16 of 101 | #800 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 23 | #16 of 101 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.1:1 | #45 of 101 | #556 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 47.2% | #65 of 101 | #1,763 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 51.6% | #12 of 99 | #1,027 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.
Cole County school rankings
Residents
77,032
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
28
7 districts
Enrollment
10,312
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$74,876
Above Missouri avg
Free/reduced lunch
47.2%
Below Missouri avg
Elementary
15
4,476 students
Middle
3
2,183 students
High
9
3,637 students
Combined / other
1
16 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
JEFFERSON CITY
7,900 students · 7 districts in Cole County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Cole 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+
38.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
7.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.9%
civilian labor
Median age
40
22.1% under 18
Test scores in Cole County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 20 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 44.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- BLAIR OAKS MIDDLE SCHOOL· 63.9%
- CLARENCE LAWSON ELEM.· 63.0%
- BLAIR OAKS INTERMEDIATE· 60.6%
- BLAIR OAKS HIGH· 59.5%
- WEST ELEM.· 55.2%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- EAST ELEM.· 22.5%
- MOREAU HEIGHTS ELEM.· 36.0%
- COLE CO. R-I ELEM.· 39.5%
- LEWIS AND CLARK MIDDLE· 40.9%
- CEDAR HILL ELEM.· 41.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEFFERSON CITY HIGH | Jefferson City | High | 09-12 | 1,353 | · |
| CAPITAL CITY HIGH SCHOOL | Jefferson City | High | 09-12 | 1,314 | · |
| LEWIS AND CLARK MIDDLE | Jefferson City | Middle | 06-08 | 966 | · |
| THOMAS JEFFERSON MIDDLE | Jefferson City | Middle | 06-08 | 927 | · |
| CLARENCE LAWSON ELEM. | Jefferson City | Elementary | KG-05 | 440 | · |
| BLAIR OAKS HIGH | Jefferson City | High | 09-12 | 421 | · |
| PIONEER TRAIL ELEMENTARY | Jefferson City | Elementary | KG-05 | 396 | · |
| EUGENE ELEM. | Eugene | Elementary | PK-06 | 365 | · |
| BELAIR ELEM. | Jefferson City | Elementary | KG-05 | 363 | · |
| MOREAU HEIGHTS ELEM. | Jefferson City | Elementary | KG-05 | 324 | · |
| COLE CO. R-I ELEM. | Russellville | Elementary | PK-06 | 319 | · |
| WEST ELEM. | Jefferson City | Elementary | KG-05 | 317 | · |
| CEDAR HILL ELEM. | Jefferson City | Elementary | KG-05 | 313 | · |
| SOUTHWEST EARLY CHILDHOOD CTR | Jefferson City | Elementary | PK-PK | 305 | · |
| SOUTH ELEM. | Jefferson City | Elementary | KG-05 | 302 | · |
| THORPE J. GORDON ELEM. | Jefferson City | Elementary | KG-05 | 294 | · |
| BLAIR OAKS MIDDLE SCHOOL | Jefferson City | Middle | 06-08 | 290 | · |
| EAST ELEM. | Jefferson City | Elementary | KG-05 | 286 | · |
| RUSSELLVILLE HIGH | Russellville | High | 07-12 | 285 | · |
| EUGENE HIGH | Eugene | High | 07-12 | 264 | · |
| BLAIR OAKS INTERMEDIATE | Jefferson City | Elementary | 03-05 | 228 | · |
| BLAIR OAKS ELEM. | Jefferson City | Elementary | PK-02 | 224 | · |
| H KENNETH KIRCHNER SCHOOL | Jefferson City | Combined | KG-12 | 16 | · |
| ALGOA CORRECTIONAL CENTER | Jefferson City | High | 07-12 | 0 | · |
| MOCAP ELEM.SCHOOL | Jefferson City | Elementary | KG-05 | 0 | · |
| MOCAP HIGH SCHOOL | Jefferson City | High | 06-12 | 0 | · |
| NICHOLS CAREER CTR. | Jefferson City | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
| PRENGER FAMILY CTR. | Jefferson City | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Cole County
About Cole County
Cole County is an average-sized county of about 77,032 residents in Missouri. Its public-school system instructs approximately 10,312 students across 28 schools.
For perspective, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $74,876, roughly 39% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 8% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 22% meaningfully above the Missouri median.
On the school-mix side, Cole County is made up of 15 elementary schools (4,476 students), 3 middle schools (2,183), 9 high schools (3,637), and 1 combined or other schools.
JEFFERSON CITY is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 7,900 students across Cole County.
Over the past 4-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 10,312 students, remained close to its prior level from the 10,466 reported in SY 2020-21. Cole County now counts 23 public schools, up from 22 in SY 2020-21.
On allk12, the community for Cole County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data