Total enrollment
3,867
+67 (+2%) vs SY 2020-21
McDonald County
Missouri · Public K-12
McDonald County's public-school footprint spans 11 K-12 schools with combined enrollment of about 3,867, the largest district being Mcdonald Co. R-I. By grade band, the county runs 7 elementary, 3 middle, and 1 high schools.
4-year change in McDonald County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
11
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How McDonald County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Missouri | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 33.7% | #78 of 100 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 3,867 | #41 of 101 | #1,573 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 11 | #63 of 101 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.8:1 | #70 of 101 | #839 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 70.0% | #18 of 101 | #744 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 54.6% | #7 of 99 | #862 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.
McDonald County school rankings
Residents
23,701
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
11
2 districts
Enrollment
3,867
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$52,375
Below Missouri avg
Free/reduced lunch
70.0%
Above Missouri avg
Elementary
7
2,045 students
Middle
3
747 students
High
1
1,075 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
MCDONALD CO. R-I
3,595 students · 2 districts in McDonald County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of McDonald 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+
12.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
14.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.8%
civilian labor
Median age
38
25.5% under 18
Test scores in McDonald County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 9 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 44.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- PINEVILLE ELEM.· 58.2%
- ROCKY COMFORT ELEM.· 45.9%
- GOODMAN ELEM.· 45.0%
- ANDERSON ELEM.· 40.1%
- MCDONALD COUNTY HIGH· 39.9%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- NOEL ELEM.· 16.3%
- ANDERSON MIDDLE· 33.0%
- WHITE ROCK ELEM.· 33.9%
- SOUTHWEST CITY ELEM.· 34.9%
- MCDONALD COUNTY HIGH· 39.9%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCDONALD COUNTY HIGH | Anderson | High | 09-12 | 1,075 | · |
| ANDERSON ELEM. | Anderson | Elementary | PK-05 | 521 | · |
| SOUTHWEST CITY ELEM. | Southwest City | Elementary | PK-08 | 350 | · |
| NOEL ELEM. | Noel | Middle | 03-08 | 349 | · |
| WHITE ROCK ELEM. | Pineville | Elementary | PK-08 | 347 | · |
| ANDERSON MIDDLE | Anderson | Middle | 06-08 | 275 | · |
| GOODMAN ELEM. | Goodman | Elementary | PK-04 | 272 | · |
| NOEL PRIMARY | Southwest City | Elementary | PK-02 | 249 | · |
| ROCKY COMFORT ELEM. | Rocky Comfort | Elementary | PK-08 | 197 | · |
| PINEVILLE ELEM. | Noel | Middle | 03-08 | 123 | · |
| PINEVILLE PRIMARY | Anderson | Elementary | PK-02 | 109 | · |
Cities in McDonald County
About McDonald County
McDonald County is a low-population Missouri county of about 23,701 residents, home to 11 public schools and roughly 3,867 students.
Stepping back, census numbers show the median household earns about $52,375 a year, 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 15%. That income level is 15% noticeably below the Missouri median.
In terms of grade levels, McDonald County covers 7 elementary schools (2,045 students), 3 middle schools (747), and 1 high school (1,075).
The largest single district in McDonald County is MCDONALD CO. R-I, which alone enrolls about 3,595 students.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in McDonald County has held roughly steady since SY 2020-21, moving from about 3,800 students to 3,867.
In the discussion threads here, the community for McDonald County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data