Total enrollment
3,423
+174 (+5%) vs SY 2020-21
Ray County
Missouri · Public K-12
Ray County's public-school footprint spans 12 K-12 schools with combined enrollment of about 3,423, the largest district being Richmond R-Xvi. That works out to 6 elementary, 2 middle, and 4 high schools.
4-year change in Ray County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
12
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Ray County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Missouri | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 35.7% | #70 of 100 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 3,423 | #46 of 101 | #1,703 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 12 | #54 of 101 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.5:1 | #59 of 101 | #722 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 39.4% | #89 of 101 | #2,129 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 14.8% | #63 of 99 | #2,346 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.
Ray County school rankings
Residents
23,145
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
12
5 districts
Enrollment
3,423
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$74,573
Above Missouri avg
Free/reduced lunch
39.4%
Below Missouri avg
Elementary
6
1,708 students
Middle
2
651 students
High
4
1,064 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
RICHMOND R-XVI
1,543 students · 5 districts in Ray County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Ray 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+
16.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.0%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.4%
civilian labor
Median age
42
22.8% under 18
Test scores in Ray County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 8 schools ranked. Missouri state average: 44.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- HARDIN-CENTRAL ELEM.· 50.9%
- RICHMOND HIGH· 48.0%
- ELKHORN ELEMENTARY· 45.3%
- LAWSON MIDDLE· 43.8%
- ORRICK ELEM.· 42.1%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- SUNRISE ELEM.· 28.6%
- RICHMOND MIDDLE· 38.1%
- SOUTHWEST ELEM.· 41.5%
- ORRICK ELEM.· 42.1%
- LAWSON MIDDLE· 43.8%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RICHMOND HIGH | Richmond | High | 09-12 | 474 | · |
| SUNRISE ELEM. | Richmond | Elementary | 02-05 | 460 | · |
| SOUTHWEST ELEM. | Lawson | Elementary | PK-04 | 439 | · |
| LAWSON HIGH | Lawson | High | 09-12 | 362 | · |
| LAWSON MIDDLE | Lawson | Middle | 05-08 | 342 | · |
| RICHMOND MIDDLE | Richmond | Middle | 06-08 | 309 | · |
| DEAR ELEM. | Richmond | Elementary | PK-01 | 300 | · |
| ELKHORN ELEMENTARY | Excelsior Springs | Elementary | KG-05 | 239 | · |
| ORRICK ELEM. | Orrick | Elementary | PK-06 | 160 | · |
| ORRICK HIGH | Orrick | High | 07-12 | 133 | · |
| HARDIN-CENTRAL ELEM. | Hardin | Elementary | PK-06 | 110 | · |
| HARDIN-CENTRAL HIGH | Hardin | High | 07-12 | 95 | · |
Cities in Ray County
About Ray County
Ray County is a small Missouri county of about 23,145 residents, home to 12 public schools and roughly 3,423 students.
In context, census numbers show the median household earns about $74,573 a year, about 16% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 9%. That income level is 22% noticeably above the Missouri median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Ray County spans 6 elementary schools (1,708 students), 2 middle schools (651), and 4 high schools (1,064).
The largest single district in Ray County is RICHMOND R-XVI, which alone enrolls about 1,543 students.
Five-year track record. Combined enrollment now sits at 3,423 students, grew 5% from the 3,249 reported in SY 2020-21.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Ray County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data