Total enrollment
1,373
-94 (-6%) vs SY 2020-21
Howard County
Missouri · Public K-12
Public-school enrollment in Howard County clocks in around 1,373 students across 7 schools (3 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high).
4-year change in Howard County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
7
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Howard County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Missouri | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 51.7% | #33 of 100 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,373 | #90 of 101 | #2,546 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 7 | #87 of 101 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 10.8:1 | #15 of 101 | #250 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 40.6% | #85 of 101 | #2,073 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 20.8% | #47 of 99 | #2,118 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.
Residents
10,147
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
7
3 districts
Enrollment
1,373
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$65,938
Above Missouri avg
Free/reduced lunch
40.6%
Below Missouri avg
Elementary
3
644 students
Middle
1
155 students
High
3
574 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
FAYETTE R-III
667 students · 3 districts in Howard County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Howard 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+
28.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.7%
civilian labor
Median age
39
21.2% under 18
Test scores in Howard County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 49.5%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- New Franklin Elementary· 87.0%
- LAURENCE J. DALY ELEM.· 75.6%
- WM. N. CLARK MIDDLE· 34.6%
- GLASGOW HIGH· 33.9%
- New Franklin Middle-High· 27.2%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAURENCE J. DALY ELEM. | Fayette | Elementary | PK-05 | 324 | · |
| New Franklin Middle-High | New Franklin | High | 06-12 | 198 | · |
| New Franklin Elementary | New Franklin | Elementary | PK-05 | 194 | · |
| FAYETTE HIGH | Fayette | High | 09-12 | 188 | · |
| GLASGOW HIGH | Glasgow | High | 06-12 | 188 | · |
| WM. N. CLARK MIDDLE | Fayette | Middle | 06-08 | 155 | · |
| GLASGOW ELEMENTARY. | Glasgow | Elementary | PK-05 | 126 | · |
Cities in Howard County
About Howard County
Across the compact Missouri county of Howard County of about 10,147 residents, the public-school footprint covers 7 schools and about 1,373 students.
For perspective, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $65,938, roughly 28% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 7% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 8% higher than the Missouri median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Howard County comprises 3 elementary schools (644 students), 1 middle school (155), and 3 high schools (574).
FAYETTE R-III is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 667 students across Howard County.
Looking at the last 4 years. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment declined 6%: 1,467 students in SY 2020-21 versus 1,373 in SY 2024-25.
On this page, the community for Howard County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data