Total enrollment
1,730
+587 (+51%) vs SY 2020-21
Mississippi County
Missouri · Public K-12
7 public K-12 schools operate inside Mississippi County, with roughly 1,730 students enrolled, an average of 247 per school. By level, that breaks down as 2 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
4-year change in Mississippi County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
+2 (+50%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Mississippi County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Missouri | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 22.8% | #98 of 100 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,730 | #75 of 101 | #2,346 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 6 | #92 of 101 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 11.9:1 | #41 of 101 | #515 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 100.0% | #1 of 101 | #17 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 49.6% | #13 of 99 | #1,115 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
11,902
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
7
3 districts
Enrollment
1,730
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$48,160
Below Missouri avg
Free/reduced lunch
100.0%
Above Missouri avg
Elementary
2
688 students
Middle
2
431 students
High
3
611 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
EAST PRAIRIE R-II
1,003 students · 3 districts in Mississippi County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Mississippi 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+
14.7%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
15.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.7%
civilian labor
Median age
41
22.6% under 18
Test scores in Mississippi County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 44.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- EAST PRAIRIE ELEM· 29.6%
- EAST PRAIRIE MIDDLE· 28.3%
- CHARLESTON HIGH· 22.4%
- WARREN E. HEARNES ELEM.· 17.1%
- CHARLESTON MIDDLE SCHOOL· 15.6%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EAST PRAIRIE ELEM | East Prairie | Elementary | PK-04 | 412 | · |
| CHARLESTON HIGH | Charleston | High | 07-12 | 310 | · |
| EAST PRAIRIE HIGH | East Prairie | High | 09-12 | 301 | · |
| EAST PRAIRIE MIDDLE | East Prairie | Middle | 05-08 | 290 | · |
| WARREN E. HEARNES ELEM. | Charleston | Elementary | PK-03 | 276 | · |
| CHARLESTON MIDDLE SCHOOL | Charleston | Middle | 04-06 | 141 | · |
| SOUTHEAST CORRECTIONAL CENTER | Charleston | High | 07-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Mississippi County
About Mississippi County
Across the thinly populated Missouri county of Mississippi County of about 11,902 residents, the public-school footprint covers 7 schools and about 1,730 students.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show the median household earns about $48,160 a year, roughly 15% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 16%. That income level is 21% noticeably below the Missouri median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Mississippi County comprises 2 elementary schools (688 students), 2 middle schools (431), and 3 high schools (611).
EAST PRAIRIE R-II dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 1,003 students on its own.
Five-year track record. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,730 students, expanded 51% from the 1,143 reported in SY 2020-21. Over that span, Mississippi County added 2 schools, going from 4 to 6.
On allk12, the community for Mississippi 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