Central R-III

The Central R-III school district in Missouri operates four schools: two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The district serves a significant population of economically disadvantaged students, with free and reduced-price lunch rates ranging from 51.67% at Central High to 62.52% at Central Elementary.

Central High School stands out as the district's top performer, ranking 134 out of 378 Missouri high schools and maintaining a strong 91.8% four-year graduation rate. The school's performance on End of Course exams, with 46.7% proficiency in English II and 46% proficiency in Government, is also noteworthy. In contrast, West Elementary has shown consistent improvement, moving from 356 out of 908 schools in 2021-2022 to 407 out of 898 schools in 2022-2023, and outperforming the district and state averages in 4th-grade mathematics.

While the district's academic performance is mixed, with some schools performing above the state average and others falling below, the high rates of chronic absenteeism across all schools, at 17.8%, is a concern that may impact student learning and achievement. The district's per-student spending, ranging from $9,898 at Central High to $11,322 at Central Elementary, is generally in line with the state average, suggesting that the district may need to focus on targeted interventions and support to address the identified challenges and ensure equitable access to educational opportunities for all students.