Total enrollment
9,567
+469 (+5%) vs SY 2017-18
Newton County
Missouri · Public K-12
Public K-12 schools in Newton County number 25, teaching approximately 9,567 Missouri students against a population of 60,118. By level, that breaks down as 12 elementary, 6 middle, and 5 high schools.
7-year change in Newton County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
22
+1 (+5%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
69%
was 76%
% Hispanic
13%
was 10%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
2%
was 2%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
25
7 districts
Enrollment
9,567
NCES CCD
Median income
$66,301
Above Missouri avg
Free/reduced lunch
57.3%
Above Missouri avg
Elementary
12
4,100 students
Middle
6
2,799 students
High
5
2,668 students
Combined / other
2
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
NEOSHO SCHOOL DISTRICT
4,726 students · 7 districts in Newton County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Newton 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+
23.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.9%
civilian labor
Median age
40
23.9% under 18
Test scores in Newton County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 13 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 49.5%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- NEOSHO JR. HIGH· 94.6%
- SOUTH ELEM.· 85.0%
- MIDDLE SCH.· 81.5%
- WESTVIEW ELEM.· 77.2%
- BENTON ELEM.· 75.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- GRANBY· 32.8%
- SENECA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL· 45.6%
- SENECA JUNIOR HIGH· 47.6%
- TRIWAY· 48.3%
- GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER ELEM.· 55.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEOSHO HIGH | Neosho | High | 09-12 | 1,530 | · |
| NEOSHO JR. HIGH | Neosho | Middle | 07-08 | 753 | · |
| MIDDLE SCH. | Neosho | Middle | 05-06 | 702 | · |
| SOUTH MIDDLE | Joplin | Middle | 06-08 | 596 | · |
| GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER ELEM. | Neosho | Elementary | PK-04 | 591 | · |
| GRANBY | Granby | Elementary | PK-08 | 583 | · |
| BENTON ELEM. | Neosho | Elementary | PK-04 | 523 | · |
| SENECA HIGH | Seneca | High | 09-12 | 450 | · |
| EAST NEWTON HIGH | Granby | High | 09-12 | 445 | · |
| TRIWAY | Stella | Elementary | PK-08 | 431 | · |
| SENECA ELEM. | Seneca | Elementary | PK-03 | 417 | · |
| STAPLETON ELEM. | Joplin | Elementary | KG-05 | 400 | · |
| DIAMOND ELEM. | Diamond | Elementary | PK-04 | 332 | · |
| SENECA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL | Seneca | Middle | 04-06 | 305 | · |
| SOUTH ELEM. | Neosho | Elementary | KG-04 | 285 | · |
| DIAMOND HIGH | Diamond | High | 09-12 | 243 | · |
| SENECA JUNIOR HIGH | Seneca | Middle | 07-08 | 231 | · |
| RISE Elementary | Neosho | Elementary | KG-04 | 230 | · |
| DIAMOND MIDDLE | Diamond | Middle | 05-08 | 212 | · |
| FIELD EARLY CHILD./KDGN. CTR. | Neosho | Elementary | PK-PK | 112 | · |
| WESTVIEW ELEM. | Neosho | Elementary | PK-08 | 112 | · |
| SENECA EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL | Seneca | Elementary | PK-PK | 84 | · |
| CROWDER AVTS | Neosho | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
| LEARNING INITIATIVE NEOSHO/CR | Neosho | Combined | PK-12 | 0 | · |
| CENTRAL ELEM. | Neosho | Combined | M-M | · | · |
Cities in Newton County
About Newton County
Newton County is a mid-sized Missouri county of about 60,118 residents, home to 25 public schools and roughly 9,567 students.
Stepping back, census numbers show median household income runs near $66,301, roughly 24% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 9% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 8% meaningfully above the Missouri median.
In terms of grade levels, Newton County is made up of 12 elementary schools (4,100 students), 6 middle schools (2,799), 5 high schools (2,668), and 2 combined or other schools.
The largest single district in Newton County is NEOSHO SCHOOL DISTRICT, which alone enrolls about 4,726 students.
Looking at the last 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment increased 5%: 9,098 students in SY 2017-18 versus 9,567 in SY 2024-25. Over that span, Newton County gained 1 school, going from 21 to 22. The White share of public-school enrollment contracted from 76% to 69%.
On this page, the community for Newton County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
Newton County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data