Total enrollment
5,064
-219 (-4%) vs SY 2017-18
Lafayette County
Missouri · Public K-12
Public K-12 schools in Lafayette County number 19 per the most recent NCES data, averaging about 267 students per campus. By level, that breaks down as 7 elementary, 3 middle, and 8 high schools.
7-year change in Lafayette County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
18
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
88%
was 90%
% Hispanic
5%
was 4%
% Black
2%
was 3%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
19
8 districts
Enrollment
5,064
NCES CCD
Median income
$80,612
Above Missouri avg
Free/reduced lunch
41.2%
Below Missouri avg
Elementary
7
2,282 students
Middle
3
929 students
High
8
1,849 students
Combined / other
1
4 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
ODESSA R-VII
2,039 students · 8 districts in Lafayette County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Lafayette 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+
26.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.0%
civilian labor
Median age
41
23.0% under 18
Test scores in Lafayette County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 12 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 49.5%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- GRANDVIEW ELEM.· 93.0%
- LESLIE BELL ELEM.· 85.0%
- CONCORDIA HIGH· 80.6%
- SANTA FE ELEM.· 60.8%
- LAFAYETTE CO. MIDDLE· 60.7%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- WELLINGTON-NAPOLEON ELEM.· 10.6%
- WELLINGTON-NAPOLEON HIGH· 30.0%
- ODESSA UPPER ELEMENTARY· 30.6%
- LEXINGTON MIDDLE· 35.4%
- ODESSA MIDDLE· 43.5%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODESSA HIGH | Odessa | High | 09-12 | 651 | · |
| MCQUERRY ELEMENTARY | Odessa | Elementary | PK-02 | 497 | · |
| ODESSA MIDDLE | Odessa | Middle | 06-08 | 462 | · |
| GRANDVIEW ELEM. | Higginsville | Elementary | PK-05 | 440 | · |
| ODESSA UPPER ELEMENTARY | Odessa | Elementary | 03-05 | 429 | · |
| LESLIE BELL ELEM. | Lexington | Elementary | PK-04 | 339 | · |
| LEXINGTON HIGH | Lexington | High | 09-12 | 310 | · |
| LAFAYETTE CO. HIGH | Higginsville | High | 09-12 | 298 | · |
| CONCORDIA ELEM. | Concordia | Elementary | PK-06 | 247 | · |
| LEXINGTON MIDDLE | Lexington | Middle | 05-08 | 244 | · |
| LAFAYETTE CO. MIDDLE | Higginsville | Middle | 06-08 | 223 | · |
| CONCORDIA HIGH | Concordia | High | 07-12 | 205 | · |
| WELLINGTON-NAPOLEON HIGH | Wellington | High | 06-12 | 203 | · |
| WELLINGTON-NAPOLEON ELEM. | Wellington | Elementary | PK-05 | 178 | · |
| SANTA FE HIGH | Alma | High | 07-12 | 154 | · |
| SANTA FE ELEM. | Waverly | Elementary | PK-06 | 152 | · |
| WAVERLY REGIONAL YOUTH CTR. | Waverly | High | 06-12 | 28 | · |
| ROLLING MEADOW SCHOOL | Higginsville | Combined | KG-12 | 4 | · |
| LEX LA-RAY TECHNICAL CTR. | Lexington | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Lafayette County
About Lafayette County
Across the rural-scale Missouri county of Lafayette County of about 33,115 residents, the public-school footprint covers 19 schools and about 5,064 students.
In context, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $80,612, roughly 26% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 7%. That income level is 32% noticeably above the Missouri median.
In terms of grade levels, Lafayette County is made up of 7 elementary schools (2,282 students), 3 middle schools (929), 8 high schools (1,849), and 1 combined or other schools.
ODESSA R-VII is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 2,039 students across Lafayette County.
Trend over the past 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 5,064 students, declined 4% from the 5,283 reported in SY 2017-18.
On allk12, the community for Lafayette County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
Lafayette County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data