Total enrollment
6,217
-300 (-5%) vs SY 2020-21
Phelps County
Missouri · Public K-12
Missouri's Phelps County runs 15 public K-12 schools between its districts, the largest being Rolla 31 at 4,161 students. The level mix is 6 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools.
4-year change in Phelps County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
13
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Phelps County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Missouri | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 43.9% | #26 of 100 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 6,217 | #26 of 101 | #1,139 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 13 | #49 of 101 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.9:1 | #93 of 101 | #1,315 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 48.6% | #61 of 101 | #1,694 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 28.2% | #36 of 99 | #1,863 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.
Phelps County school rankings
Residents
45,194
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
15
5 districts
Enrollment
6,217
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$58,396
Below Missouri avg
Free/reduced lunch
48.6%
Below Missouri avg
Elementary
6
2,327 students
Middle
3
1,803 students
High
5
2,059 students
Combined / other
1
28 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
ROLLA 31
4,161 students · 5 districts in Phelps County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Phelps 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+
32.4%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
8.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.9%
civilian labor
Median age
36
21.1% under 18
Test scores in Phelps County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 11 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 44.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- ST. JAMES HIGH· 64.0%
- HARRY S. TRUMAN ELEM.· 53.7%
- PHELPS CO. ELEM.· 49.9%
- ROLLA SR. HIGH· 49.6%
- ROLLA MIDDLE· 46.6%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- NEWBURG ELEM.· 20.2%
- ST. JAMES MIDDLE· 42.5%
- MARK TWAIN ELEM.· 43.0%
- COL. JOHN B. WYMAN ELEM.· 45.1%
- ROLLA JR. HIGH· 45.3%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROLLA SR. HIGH | Rolla | High | 09-12 | 1,398 | · |
| ROLLA MIDDLE | Rolla | Middle | 04-06 | 857 | · |
| LUCY WORTHAM JAMES ELEM. | St James | Elementary | PK-05 | 681 | · |
| ROLLA JR. HIGH | Rolla | Middle | 07-08 | 577 | · |
| ST. JAMES HIGH | St James | High | 09-12 | 509 | · |
| HARRY S. TRUMAN ELEM. | Rolla | Elementary | PK-03 | 448 | · |
| COL. JOHN B. WYMAN ELEM. | Rolla | Elementary | PK-03 | 441 | · |
| MARK TWAIN ELEM. | Rolla | Elementary | PK-03 | 440 | · |
| ST. JAMES MIDDLE | St James | Middle | 06-08 | 369 | · |
| PHELPS CO. ELEM. | Edgar Springs | Elementary | PK-08 | 160 | · |
| NEWBURG ELEM. | Newburg | Elementary | PK-06 | 157 | · |
| NEWBURG HIGH | Newburg | High | 07-12 | 152 | · |
| B W ROBINSON SCHOOL | Rolla | Combined | KG-12 | 28 | · |
| ROLLA TECHNICAL CTR. | Rolla | High | 11-12 | 0 | · |
| ROLLA TECHNICAL INST. | Rolla | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Phelps County
About Phelps County
Phelps County is a low-population county of about 45,194 residents in Missouri. Its public-school system teaches approximately 6,217 students across 15 schools.
Stepping back, census numbers show the median household earns about $58,396 a year, roughly 32% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 9%. That income level is 5% meaningfully below the Missouri median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Phelps County comprises 6 elementary schools (2,327 students), 3 middle schools (1,803), 5 high schools (2,059), and 1 combined or other schools.
ROLLA 31 is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 4,161 students across Phelps County.
Looking at the last 4 years. Total public-school enrollment in Phelps County has shrank 5% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 6,517 students to 6,217.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Phelps County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Parents, students, and educators in the area can post or comment.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data