Total enrollment
5,704
-326 (-5%) vs SY 2017-18
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.
7-year change in Howell County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
14
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
93%
was 95%
% Hispanic
3%
was 2%
% Black
1%
was 0%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
15
9 districts
Enrollment
5,704
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, 11 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 49.5%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- WEST PLAINS ELEM.· 86.0%
- SOUTH FORK ELEM.· 79.5%
- WILLOW SPRINGS MIDDLE· 69.6%
- FAIRVIEW ELEM.· 65.8%
- JUNCTION HILL ELEM.· 64.1%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- WILLOW SPRINGS ELEM.· 15.0%
- MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEM.· 21.8%
- RICHARDS ELEM.· 44.1%
- WEST PLAINS MIDDLE· 52.9%
- GLENWOOD ELEM.· 57.4%
| 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 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 5,704 students, decreased 5% from the 6,030 reported in SY 2017-18.
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
Howell County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data