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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.

7-year change in Phelps County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
6,217
-531 (-8%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
13
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
84%
was 88%
% Hispanic
5%
was 3%
% Black
3%
was 4%
% Asian
2%
was 2%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
15
5 districts
Enrollment
6,217
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
White
86%
Hispanic
3%
Black
2%
Asian
4%
Two or more
6%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
84%
Hispanic
5%
Black
3%
Asian
2%
Two or more
5%
Native American
1%
Pacific Islander
0%
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, 6 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 49.5%.

Top 5 schools (ELA)
  1. NEWBURG ELEM.· 74.8%
  2. ST. JAMES MIDDLE· 66.9%
  3. ROLLA MIDDLE· 54.4%
  4. NEWBURG HIGH· 52.7%
  5. ROLLA JR. HIGH· 40.4%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
  1. LUCY WORTHAM JAMES ELEM.· 32.4%
  2. ROLLA JR. HIGH· 40.4%
  3. NEWBURG HIGH· 52.7%
  4. ROLLA MIDDLE· 54.4%
  5. ST. JAMES MIDDLE· 66.9%

See all 6 schools in Phelps County ranked by score →

All schools (15)

NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
ROLLA SR. HIGHRollaHigh09-121,398·
ROLLA MIDDLERollaMiddle04-06857·
LUCY WORTHAM JAMES ELEM.St JamesElementaryPK-05681·
ROLLA JR. HIGHRollaMiddle07-08577·
ST. JAMES HIGHSt JamesHigh09-12509·
HARRY S. TRUMAN ELEM.RollaElementaryPK-03448·
COL. JOHN B. WYMAN ELEM.RollaElementaryPK-03441·
MARK TWAIN ELEM.RollaElementaryPK-03440·
ST. JAMES MIDDLESt JamesMiddle06-08369·
PHELPS CO. ELEM.Edgar SpringsElementaryPK-08160·
NEWBURG ELEM.NewburgElementaryPK-06157·
NEWBURG HIGHNewburgHigh07-12152·
B W ROBINSON SCHOOLRollaCombinedKG-1228·
ROLLA TECHNICAL CTR.RollaHigh11-120·
ROLLA TECHNICAL INST.RollaHigh09-120·

Cities in Phelps County

Rolla9 schoolsSt James3 schoolsNewburg2 schoolsEdgar Springs1 school

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 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Phelps County has shrank 8% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 6,748 students to 6,217. On the demographic side, White enrollment moved from 88% to 84% over the same window.

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

How many K-12 schools serve Phelps County?
There are 15 public K-12 schools in Phelps County, Missouri, with a combined enrollment of about 6,217.
How many high schools are in Phelps County?
Phelps County, Missouri has 5 public high schools, serving approximately 2,059 students.
How many middle schools are in Phelps County?
Phelps County, Missouri has 3 public middle schools, serving approximately 1,803 students.
How many elementary schools are in Phelps County?
Phelps County, Missouri has 6 public elementary schools, serving approximately 2,327 students.
What is the largest school district in Phelps County?
ROLLA 31 is the largest school district in Phelps County, serving approximately 4,161 students. The county contains 5 school districts overall.
What is the population of Phelps County?
Phelps County, Missouri has a population of approximately 45,194, with a median age of 36. About 21.1% of residents are under 18.
What is the median household income in Phelps County?
Median household income in Phelps County is $58,396, below the Missouri average of $61,285. About 8.5% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Phelps County?
Approximately 32.4% of adults 25 and older in Phelps County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Phelps County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 48.6% of students in Phelps County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is lower than the Missouri county average of 54.0%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Phelps County schools?
Across Phelps County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 14.5 to 1.

Phelps County school rankings

Largest schoolsAll rankings →
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data