Total enrollment
5,704
-66 (-1%) vs SY 2020-21
Howell County
Missouri · Public K-12
In Howell County, Missouri, the public-school system rolls up to 15 schools and roughly 5,704 K-12 students, with county median household income around $50,993. By grade band, the county runs 9 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
4-year change in Howell County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
14
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Howell County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Missouri | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 41.4% | #39 of 100 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 5,704 | #29 of 101 | #1,203 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 14 | #45 of 101 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.5:1 | #57 of 101 | #708 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 61.0% | #30 of 101 | #1,073 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 14.3% | #66 of 99 | #2,372 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.
Howell County school rankings
Residents
40,383
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
15
9 districts
Enrollment
5,704
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$50,993
Below Missouri avg
Free/reduced lunch
61.0%
Above Missouri avg
Elementary
9
3,299 students
Middle
2
910 students
High
3
1,478 students
Combined / other
1
17 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
WEST PLAINS R-VII
2,626 students · 9 districts in Howell County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Howell 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+
17.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
14.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.0%
civilian labor
Median age
40
24.1% under 18
Test scores in Howell County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 13 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 44.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- WEST PLAINS SR. HIGH· 60.7%
- HOWELL VALLEY ELEM.· 58.6%
- WILLOW SPRINGS HIGH· 58.6%
- SOUTH FORK ELEM.· 56.2%
- MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEM.· 51.3%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- WILLOW SPRINGS ELEM.· 35.8%
- WEST PLAINS MIDDLE· 37.2%
- RICHARDS ELEM.· 38.8%
- GLENWOOD ELEM.· 41.1%
- FAIRVIEW ELEM.· 41.2%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEST PLAINS SR. HIGH | West Plains | High | 09-12 | 1,108 | · |
| WEST PLAINS ELEM. | West Plains | Elementary | PK-04 | 767 | · |
| WEST PLAINS MIDDLE | West Plains | Middle | 05-08 | 555 | · |
| FAIRVIEW ELEM. | West Plains | Elementary | PK-08 | 466 | · |
| WILLOW SPRINGS ELEM. | Willow Springs | Elementary | PK-04 | 446 | · |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEM. | Mountain View | Elementary | PK-05 | 396 | · |
| RICHARDS ELEM. | West Plains | Elementary | PK-08 | 389 | · |
| WILLOW SPRINGS HIGH | Willow Springs | High | 09-12 | 370 | · |
| WILLOW SPRINGS MIDDLE | Willow Springs | Middle | 05-08 | 355 | · |
| GLENWOOD ELEM. | West Plains | Elementary | PK-08 | 252 | · |
| HOWELL VALLEY ELEM. | West Plains | Elementary | PK-08 | 201 | · |
| SOUTH FORK ELEM. | West Plains | Elementary | PK-06 | 196 | · |
| JUNCTION HILL ELEM. | West Plains | Elementary | PK-08 | 186 | · |
| OZARK HORIZON SCHOOL | West Plains | Combined | KG-12 | 17 | · |
| SOUTHERN MO TECH INSTITUTE | West Plains | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Howell County
About Howell County
Howell County is a thinly populated county of about 40,383 residents in Missouri. Its public-school system teaches approximately 5,704 students across 15 schools.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show the median household earns about $50,993 a year, roughly 18% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 15%. That income level is 17% meaningfully below the Missouri median.
On the school-mix side, Howell County comprises 9 elementary schools (3,299 students), 2 middle schools (910), 3 high schools (1,478), and 1 combined or other schools.
WEST PLAINS R-VII dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 2,626 students on its own.
Looking at the last 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 5,704 students, held roughly steady from the 5,770 reported in SY 2020-21.
On allk12, the community for Howell 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