Total enrollment
4,965
+157 (+3%) vs SY 2020-21
Polk County
Missouri · Public K-12
Within Polk County, Missouri, families have 21 public-school options to consider, collectively serving 4,965 K-12 students. Bolivar R-I is the heaviest district by enrollment. By grade band, the county runs 10 elementary, 4 middle, and 6 high schools.
4-year change in Polk County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
20
+2 (+11%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Polk County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Missouri | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 40.7% | #43 of 100 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 4,965 | #36 of 101 | #1,346 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 20 | #27 of 101 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.1:1 | #46 of 101 | #572 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 55.1% | #44 of 101 | #1,348 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 12.1% | #76 of 99 | #2,454 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.
Polk County school rankings
Residents
32,444
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
21
7 districts
Enrollment
4,965
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$59,647
Below Missouri avg
Free/reduced lunch
55.1%
Above Missouri avg
Elementary
10
2,440 students
Middle
4
982 students
High
6
1,543 students
Combined / other
1
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
BOLIVAR R-I
2,725 students · 7 districts in Polk County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Polk 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+
22.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
10.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.0%
civilian labor
Median age
38
23.4% under 18
Test scores in Polk County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 10 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 44.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- BOLIVAR HIGH· 56.2%
- PLEASANT HOPE ELEM.· 49.3%
- BOLIVAR INTERMEDIATE SCH.· 47.2%
- PLEASANT HOPE MIDDLE· 47.2%
- FAIR PLAY ELEM.· 44.3%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- HUMANSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL· 20.5%
- MARION C. EARLY JUNIOR HIGH· 37.6%
- MARION C. EARLY ELEM.· 39.1%
- HALFWAY ELEM.· 41.8%
- BOLIVAR MIDDLE· 43.4%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOLIVAR HIGH | Bolivar | High | 09-12 | 831 | · |
| BOLIVAR MIDDLE | Bolivar | Middle | 06-08 | 587 | · |
| BOLIVAR PRIMARY | Bolivar | Elementary | KG-02 | 578 | · |
| BOLIVAR INTERMEDIATE SCH. | Bolivar | Elementary | 03-05 | 572 | · |
| MARION C. EARLY ELEM. | Morrisville | Elementary | PK-05 | 283 | · |
| PLEASANT HOPE ELEM. | Pleasant Hope | Elementary | PK-04 | 258 | · |
| PLEASANT HOPE HIGH | Pleasant Hope | High | 09-12 | 224 | · |
| FAIR PLAY ELEM. | Fair Play | Elementary | KG-06 | 212 | · |
| PLEASANT HOPE MIDDLE | Pleasant Hope | Middle | 05-08 | 168 | · |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CNTR | Bolivar | Elementary | PK-PK | 157 | · |
| HUMANSVILLE ELEM. | Humansville | Elementary | PK-05 | 156 | · |
| MARION C. EARLY HIGH | Morrisville | High | 09-12 | 150 | · |
| MARION C. EARLY JUNIOR HIGH | Morrisville | Middle | 06-08 | 143 | · |
| HALFWAY ELEM. | Halfway | Elementary | KG-06 | 133 | · |
| FAIR PLAY HIGH | Fair Play | High | 07-12 | 119 | · |
| HALFWAY SECONDARY | Halfway | High | 07-12 | 114 | · |
| HUMANSVILLE HIGH | Humansville | High | 09-12 | 105 | · |
| HUMANSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL | Humansville | Middle | 06-08 | 84 | · |
| Exceptional Pupil Coop.-ECSE | Bolivar | Elementary | PK-PK | 72 | · |
| LITTLE STINGERS PRESCHOOL | Fair Play | Elementary | PK-PK | 19 | · |
| PLEASANT HOPE RANCH SCH. | Brighton | Combined | 04-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Polk County
About Polk County
Polk County is a low-population county of about 32,444 residents in Missouri. Its public-school system serves approximately 4,965 students across 21 schools.
For perspective, census numbers show median household income runs near $59,647, roughly 23% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 10% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
For a sense of the school types, Polk County is built around 10 elementary schools (2,440 students), 4 middle schools (982), 6 high schools (1,543), and 1 combined or other schools.
BOLIVAR R-I dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 2,725 students on its own.
Looking at the last 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 4,965 students, grew 3% from the 4,808 reported in SY 2020-21. Over that span, Polk County added 2 schools, going from 18 to 20.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Polk County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data