Lafayette High

Summary:

Lafayette High is a public high school located in Saint Joseph, Missouri, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 717 students. The school is part of the St. Joseph School District, which is ranked 254 out of 376 districts in Missouri and is rated 2 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

While Lafayette High has a significantly higher percentage of White students (67.22%) compared to nearby schools like Central High (67.53%) and Benton High (79.44%), the school consistently underperforms on standardized tests, with proficiency rates in Algebra I (8.7%), Biology I (17.3%), and English II (49.1%) that are significantly lower than state and district averages. Lafayette High also struggles to serve its minority and disadvantaged student populations effectively, with rankings for African American, Hispanic, and Special Education students among the lowest in the state.

Despite its poor academic performance, Lafayette High spends significantly more per student ($12,914 in 2021-2022) compared to nearby schools like Central High ($10,698) and Mid-Buchanan Senior High ($10,711). The school's statewide ranking has also steadily declined over the past decade, from a high of 101 out of 521 Missouri high schools in 2013-2014 to a low of 315 out of 352 in 2022-2023, suggesting that the school is struggling to improve student outcomes.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 412 Highland Ave
       Saint Joseph, MO  64505-1809


(816) 671-4220

District: St. Joseph

SchoolDigger Rank:
315th of 352 Missouri High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,914 Help


Feeder schools for Lafayette High:

Elementary:    Lindbergh Elementary
    Pershing Elementary
Middle:    Robidoux Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  13.7 Help
Number of students:  717

Racial breakdown:

White:
67.2%
Two or more races:
11.3%
Hispanic:
10.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.6% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Lafayette High ranks worse than 89.5% of high schools in Missouri. It also ranks 2nd among 3 ranked high schools in the St. Joseph School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 12.98. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Lafayette High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (67.2%), two or more races (11.3%), Hispanic (10.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 99.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the St. Joseph School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Lafayette High is 13.7, which is the 2nd best among 3 high schools in the St. Joseph School District. (See more...)
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Compare Lafayette High employs 52 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Lafayette High is $12,914, which is the highest among 4 high schools in the St. Joseph School District!
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Lafayette High:

SchoolDigger ranks Lafayette High 315th of 352 Missouri public high schools. (See Lafayette High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


St. Joseph:

SchoolDigger ranks St. Joseph 254th of 376 Missouri school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Lafayette High

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Rank History for all students at Lafayette High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 49.73 289th 534 45.9%
2007 39.94 373rd 538 30.7%
2008 42.53 351st 539 34.9%
2009 9.12 479th 507 5.5%
2010 14.29 479th 516 7.2%
2011 14.74 484th 528 8.3%
2012 53.02 228th 522 56.3%
2013 48.73 269th 523 48.6%
2014 65.94 101st 521 80.6%
2015 56.64 204th 504 59.5%
2016 47.11 212th 401 47.1%
2017 65.22 124th 404 69.3%
2018 27.56 368th 468 21.4%
2019 28.92 352nd 460 23.5%
2021 26.46 260th 358 27.4%
2022 20.69 289th 361 19.9%
2023 12.98 315th 352 10.5%
See the entire list of Missouri High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Lafayette High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 13.08 28th 28 0.0%
See the entire list of Best Missouri High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Lafayette High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 16.94 120th 127 5.5%
See the entire list of Best Missouri High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Lafayette High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.17 305th 382 20.2%
2019 32.57 269th 368 26.9%
2021 48.37 110th 255 56.9%
2022 34.76 170th 250 32.0%
2023 24.09 221st 268 17.5%
See the entire list of Best Missouri High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Lafayette High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.91 77th 95 18.9%
2019 32.06 73rd 103 29.1%
2021 9.64 126th 129 2.3%
See the entire list of Best Missouri High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for African American students at Lafayette High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 63.28 28th 111 74.8%
2023 22.44 88th 99 11.1%
See the entire list of Best Missouri High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Lafayette High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 12.71 40th 40 0.0%
2023 28.88 48th 64 25.0%
See the entire list of Best Missouri High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Lafayette High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MO State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 24.46 361st 440 18.0%
2019 28.94 327th 430 24.0%
2021 23.99 244th 309 21.0%
2022 20.27 260th 310 16.1%
2023 11.85 287th 302 5.0%
See the entire list of Best Missouri High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Lafayette High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

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Enrollment information for Lafayette High

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1991 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 855 855
1992 837 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 837
1993 803 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 803
1994 815 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 815
1995 789 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 789
1996 789 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 789
1997 756 46 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 805
1998 792 48 0 11 1 n/a n/a 0 852
1999 810 37 1 16 2 n/a n/a 0 866
2000 745 48 1 10 1 n/a n/a 0 805
2001 717 57 1 8 4 n/a n/a 0 787
2002 793 84 3 22 3 n/a n/a 0 905
2003 793 84 3 22 3 n/a n/a 0 905
2004 762 68 5 15 5 n/a n/a 0 855
2005 694 83 2 10 4 n/a n/a 0 793
2006 700 93 2 13 3 n/a n/a 0 811
2007 665 84 1 20 1 n/a n/a 0 771
2008 685 89 0 28 0 n/a n/a 0 802
2009 644 78 1 26 1 n/a n/a 0 750
2010 694 112 1 40 2 n/a n/a 0 849
2011 740 95 2 50 2 0 0 0 889
2012 698 107 2 54 2 0 3 0 866
2013 668 105 4 50 1 1 10 0 839
2014 658 105 4 51 1 6 7 0 832
2015 649 119 6 42 3 6 24 0 849
2016 604 99 3 46 3 2 27 0 784
2017 609 99 2 51 3 5 37 0 806
2018 579 91 3 46 3 11 35 0 768
2019 566 91 2 53 4 12 47 0 775
2020 540 83 3 59 2 11 49 0 747
2021 541 82 5 79 3 6 59 0 775
2022 499 68 9 70 2 7 71 0 726
2023 482 57 9 78 2 8 81 0 717

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Lafayette High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1991 855 51.5 16.6 26.7
1992 837 48.5 17.2 22.5
1993 803 47.3 17.0 28
1994 815 48.1 16.9 27.7
1995 789 49.3 16.0 37.3
1996 789 49.3 16.0 37.3
1997 805 49.6 16.2 39
1998 852 51.1 16.7 28.8
1999 866 49.8 17.4 42.5
2000 805 52.1 15.5 39.8
2001 787 50.1 15.7 44.1
2002 905 51.3 17.6 47.2
2003 905 51.3 17.6 47.2
2004 855 48.6 17.6 52.2
2005 793 51.9 15.3 56
2006 811 57.1 14.2 52.5
2007 771 56.6 13.6 51.8
2008 802 56.0 14.3 52
2009 750 54.0 13.9 58.7
2010 849 53.3 15.9 60.7
2011 889 54.5 16.3 61.4
2012 866 54.1 15.9 61.4
2013 839 54.5 15.3 62.1
2014 832 53.1 15.6 69.4
2015 849 55.0 15.4 69.6
2016 784 54.0 14.5 57.9
2017 806 54.4 14.7 68.6
2018 768 56.4 13.6 73.8
2019 775 45.9 16.8 62.2
2020 747 50.3 14.8 73.6
2021 775 48.7 15.8 99.6
2022 726 47.3 15.3 99.6
2023 717 52.0 13.7 99.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Lafayette High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1991 855 51.5 16.6 26.7
1992 837 48.5 17.2 22.5
1993 803 47.3 17.0 28
1994 815 48.1 16.9 27.7
1995 789 49.3 16.0 37.3
1996 789 49.3 16.0 37.3
1997 805 49.6 16.2 39
1998 852 51.1 16.7 28.8
1999 866 49.8 17.4 42.5
2000 805 52.1 15.5 39.8
2001 787 50.1 15.7 44.1
2002 905 51.3 17.6 47.2
2003 905 51.3 17.6 47.2
2004 855 48.6 17.6 52.2
2005 793 51.9 15.3 56
2006 811 57.1 14.2 52.5
2007 771 56.6 13.6 51.8
2008 802 56.0 14.3 52
2009 750 54.0 13.9 58.7
2010 849 53.3 15.9 60.7
2011 889 54.5 16.3 61.4
2012 866 54.1 15.9 61.4
2013 839 54.5 15.3 62.1
2014 832 53.1 15.6 69.4
2015 849 55.0 15.4 69.6
2016 784 54.0 14.5 57.9
2017 806 54.4 14.7 68.6
2018 768 56.4 13.6 73.8
2019 775 45.9 16.8 62.2
2020 747 50.3 14.8 73.6
2021 775 48.7 15.8 99.6
2022 726 47.3 15.3 99.6
2023 717 52.0 13.7 99.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Lafayette High

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $270 (2.4%) $11,046 (97.6%) $11,317
2020 $321 (2.7%) $11,447 (97.3%) $11,768
2021 $1,082 (8.6%) $11,480 (91.4%) $12,562
2022 $781 (6.0%) $12,133 (94.0%) $12,914

Data source: Missouri Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Lafayette High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 352nd of 460 High schoolsRanks 315th of 352 High schools
 13%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
End of Course Algebra I (Lafayette High)27.68.7
 18.9%
   End of Course Algebra I (St. Joseph)33.818.4
 15.4%
   End of Course Algebra I (Missouri)45.341.5
 3.8%
End of Course Biology I (Lafayette High)21.817.3
 4.5%
   End of Course Biology I (St. Joseph)30.725
 5.7%
   End of Course Biology I (Missouri)39.238.5
 0.7%
End of Course Algebra II (Lafayette High)59.175
 15.9%
   End of Course Algebra II (St. Joseph)66.554
 12.5%
   End of Course Algebra II (Missouri)5048.6
 1.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students775717
 7.5%
African American9157
 37.4%
American Indian42
 50%
Asian29
 350%
Hispanic5378
 47.2%
Pacific Islander128
 33.3%
White566482
 14.8%
Two or More Races4781
 72.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients62.2%99.6%
 37.4%


Schools Near Lafayette High









Frequently Asked Questions about Lafayette High

Lafayette High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Lindbergh Elementary
Elementary : Pershing Elementary
Middle : Robidoux Middle

In the 2022-23 school year, 717 students attended Lafayette High.

Lafayette High ranks in the bottom 10.5% of Missouri high schools.

Students at Lafayette High are 67% White, 11% Two or more races, 11% Hispanic, 8% African American, 1% Asian, 1% Pacific Islander.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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