Northeast Missouri Schools Earn Strong Marks In 2024-25 Annual Performance Reports
By Mike Scott, NEMOnews Media Group
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has released its 2024-25 Annual Performance Reports (APR), giving a data-driven look at how public schools are performing across the state.
For Northeast Missouri, the results are encouraging — every district remains fully accredited, and most continue to exceed state averages in attendance, graduation, and career readiness.
The MSIP 6 reports measure academic achievement, student growth, attendance, graduation rates, and how well districts prepare students for life after high school. The numbers reveal a story of resilience, strong community support, and steady academic progress throughout the region.
Regional Leaders
and Highlights
(Ranked by APR Score)
1. North Shelby — 95.8 %
North Shelby topped all Northeast Missouri districts, earning 95.8 percent of total points possible. The district reported perfect graduation (100 %) and attendance (97.2 %) rates and scored above state averages in every subject. Its strong continuous-improvement and leadership ratings underscore an already exceptional academic culture.
2. Marion County R-II —
95.2 %
Marion County continued its high-performing trend with standout math and science results and one of the highest attendance rates in the state (96.9 %). The district’s success-ready measures and post-graduation outcomes again placed it among Missouri’s academic leaders.
3. Brashear (Adair Co. R-II) — 89.2 %
Brashear demonstrated small-district excellence, earning high marks in science and math and a perfect 100 percent graduation rate. Attendance remained strong at 94 percent, reflecting steady community engagement.
4. Green City R-I — 89.0 %
Green City continues to outperform state averages across the board. Its science MPI of 404.8 was well above Missouri’s 377.3 average, and the district posted 100 percent graduation and 96 percent attendance.
5. Palmyra R-I — 86.2 %
Palmyra balanced academics and attendance with a 97.8 percent graduation rate and 93.2 percent attendance. Social studies scores ranked among the region’s best, supported by consistent student participation in dual-credit and career programs.
6. Hannibal 60 — 85.7 %
The region’s largest district, Hannibal earned 85.7 percent, showing above-average English, math, and science scores. Its expanding career and technical education programs and college partnerships continue to drive success-ready results for graduates.
7. Clark County R-I — 83.6 %
Clark County remained fully accredited with strong science results and a five-year graduation rate of 97.1 percent. Attendance (87.3 %) and readiness indicators demonstrate continued improvement.
8. Canton R-V — 81.3 %
Canton earned an 81.3 percent APR, keeping the district in DESE’s “on-track” range. The district performed above state averages in math and social studies, with a math MPI of 373.4 and a social studies MPI of 385.8, matching Missouri’s overall performance.
9. Schuyler County R-I — 79.5 %
Schuyler County reported 100 percent graduation and 92.6 percent attendance, earning perfect marks for college and career readiness. Science scores exceeded state levels, showing steady growth districtwide.
10. Kirksville R-III — 76.7 %
Kirksville posted solid academics in English and social studies with a 94.8 percent graduation rate. The district’s focus for 2025-26 centers on improving its 78 percent attendance rate and expanding early-college opportunities.
11. South Shelby R-IV —
74.4 %
South Shelby excelled in science and social studies, earning a 97 percent graduation rate and strong compliance ratings. Its 88.2 percent attendance remains above state averages, reflecting consistent engagement.
12. Knox County R-I —
72.7 %
Knox County continues to improve academically with rising science and social studies scores and a 94 percent graduation rate. Attendance (85.6 %) and leadership scores show steady, balanced growth
APR, keeping the district in DESE’s “on-track” range. The district performed above state averages in math and social studies, with a math MPI of 373.4 and a social studies MPI of 385.8, matching Missouri’s overall performance.
9. Schuyler County R-I — 79.5 %
Schuyler County reported 100 percent graduation and 92.6 percent attendance, earning perfect marks for college and career readiness. Science scores exceeded state levels, showing steady growth districtwide.
10. Kirksville R-III — 76.7 %
Kirksville posted solid academics in English and social studies with a 94.8 percent graduation rate. The district’s focus for 2025-26 centers on improving its 78 percent attendance rate and expanding early-college opportunities.
11. South Shelby R-IV —
74.4 %
South Shelby excelled in science and social studies, earning a 97 percent graduation rate and strong compliance ratings. Its 88.2 percent attendance remains above state averages, reflecting consistent engagement.
12. Knox County R-I — 72.7 %
Knox County continues to improve academically with rising science and social studies scores and a 94 percent graduation rate. Attendance (85.6 %) and leadership scores show steady, balanced growth.
13. Highland (Lewis Co. C-1) — 71.4 %
Highland demonstrated strong achievement in science and social studies and maintained a 95.7 percent graduation rate. The district’s data indicate upward trends in academic growth and career readiness.
14. Scotland County R-I — 69.3 %
Scotland County maintained 89.6 percent attendance and a 94.5 percent graduation rate, with social studies results above the state average. The district remains accredited and focused on continued improvement in English and math.
15. Milan C-2 — 68.1 %
Milan remained accredited with 94.3 percent attendance and 94.9 percent graduation, continuing progress in bilingual and academic support programs designed to serve its diverse student population.
Regional Overview
Every district in Northeast Missouri met the state’s standards for full accreditation. Most posted attendance rates well above the statewide 82.9 percent average, and more than half achieved graduation rates above 95 percent.
Rural districts such as North Shelby, Marion County, Green City, and Brashear continue to prove that small schools can deliver exceptional results through strong community engagement and personalized instruction.
Meanwhile, larger systems like Hannibal and Kirksville show growth through expanded vocational and college-credit programs, serving hundreds of students each year with pathways to careers and higher education.
The 2024-25 results affirm that Northeast Missouri schools remain strong, stable, and student-focused.
From high-performing small districts like North Shelby and Green City to larger systems such as Hannibal and Kirksville, educators across the region continue to meet — and often exceed — expectations.
Positive Outlook
Every district achieved full accreditation, proving that regardless of size or geography, local schools are providing quality education and preparing students for success beyond graduation.
Next week, we’ll take a closer look at the the NEMO county school district’s APR results.
