📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (MAP 2025), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
14 Rated Districts in the Columbia, MO Metro Area
MAP 2025 · percentile among Missouri districts
| Metro Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Southern Boone County R-I School District | Ashland | 9/10 Excellent | 87th |
| #2 | New Franklin R-I School District | New Franklin | 8/10 Good | 76th |
| #3 | Hallsville R-IV School District | Hallsville | 8/10 Good | 71st |
| #4 | Pilot Grove C-4 School District | Pilot Grove | 7/10 Good | 67th |
| #5 | Centralia R-VI School District | Centralia | 7/10 Good | 66th |
| #6 | Prairie Home R-V School District | Prairie Home | 7/10 Good | 62nd |
| #7 | Columbia 93 School District | Columbia | 7/10 Good | 60th |
| #8 | Harrisburg R-VIII School District | Harrisburg | 4/10 Below Average | 32nd |
| #9 | Boonville R-I School District | Boonville | 3/10 Below Average | 25th |
| #10 | Fayette R-III School District | Fayette | 3/10 Below Average | 21st |
| #11 | Glasgow School District | Glasgow | 2/10 Poor | 12th |
| #12 | Otterville R-VI School District | Otterville | 2/10 Poor | 12th |
| #13 | Cooper County R-IV School District | Bunceton | 1/10 Poor | 9th |
| #14 | Sturgeon R-V School District | Sturgeon | 1/10 Poor | 5th |
Best School Districts in the Columbia, MO Metro Area (2026)
Counties are assigned to metropolitan areas using the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 delineation, and each district is placed in the county of its NCES directory listing. Ratings come from MAP 2025 (Missouri) and are percentile-ranked within the district's own state. Always confirm your assignment by address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in the Columbia, MO metro area? ▼
Among the 14 rated districts in the Columbia, MO metro area, the highest-rated is Southern Boone County R-I School District (Ashland), rated 9/10 (Excellent) and in the 87th percentile of Missouri districts on MAP 2025 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments, percentile-ranked against all rated districts in its state and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.