MARK TWAIN ELEM.

Located at 1435 S MAIN, in CARTHAGE, Missouri, MARK TWAIN ELEM. is a tight-knit K-5 school that works with 164 students (grades K through 3), overseen by CARTHAGE R-IX. That puts it 48% leaner than the typical public school in Missouri, which averages around 315 students.

CARTHAGE R-IX runs 10 schools in total, collectively educating 5,070 students. MARK TWAIN ELEM. is one of those campuses.

On the student-mix side, MARK TWAIN ELEM. records that White students make up the majority at 63%. The remainder breaks down as 29% Hispanic, 5% multiracial. The wider county runs roughly 83% White, putting the school's mix visibly less White than the area baseline.

On the income-and-resources front, The school lists 13 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 12.5:1. That tracks the state average closely. About 58% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment.

In the area at large, Jasper County reports that the typical household earns roughly $60,694 per year, 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate sits near 11%. Across Jasper County's 49 public schools (combined enrollment of about 21,177 students), MARK TWAIN ELEM. is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is CARTHAGE JR. HIGH, roughly 0.6 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools.

The school occupies a small-town site.

Trend over the last 7 years. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at MARK TWAIN ELEM. has declined 46%, going from 305 students in 2018 to 164 in 2025. The student-to-teacher ratio fell from 17.1:1 in 2018 to 12.5:1 today.

On this page, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around enrollment questions, classroom assignments, and PTA news. The community welcomes input from current and former families.