High Schools in St. Joseph

The high schools in St. Joseph, Missouri provide a mixed picture of academic performance. There are three high schools in the area: Central High, Lafayette High, and Benton High. While Central High stands out as the highest-performing school, the other two schools struggle with lower test scores and proficiency rates.

Central High has the best statewide ranking (193rd out of 361 Missouri high schools) and the highest test scores across multiple subjects, indicating it is the strongest performer in the area. In contrast, Lafayette High and Benton High have significantly lower test scores, particularly in subjects like Algebra I, Algebra II, and Biology, where proficiency rates are well below the district and state averages.

The high schools in St. Joseph also face challenges with chronic absenteeism, which is around 27.7% across all three schools. Additionally, Lafayette High has the highest percentage of free/reduced lunch recipients at 99.58%, indicating a high-need student population that may require targeted interventions and support. Overall, the data suggests the St. Joseph school district as a whole is underperforming compared to state averages, and further analysis would be needed to address the systemic challenges facing these schools.