WEST PLAINS R-VII

WEST PLAINS, Missouri — 4 schools

2,698
Total Enrollment
4
Schools
$13,415
Per-Pupil Spending
Other, High
School Types

District-Level NCES Analysis

WEST PLAINS R-VII operates 4 public schools serving 2,698 students, placing it among the smaller districts in Missouri. The school portfolio breaks down into 2 other, 1 high, 1 elementary schools, giving families a clear picture of grade-band coverage before they move, rent, or enrol. Aggregated across those campuses, enrollment totals 2,626 pupils using the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 release, and the district is geographically located in Howell County County.

Per-pupil expenditure runs $13,415 according to the NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey, which aggregates every revenue and spending line reported under federal accounting standards. The funding mix is 46.1% local, 33.0% state, and 20.9% federal — a breakdown that matters because districts leaning heavily on local revenue are more exposed to property-tax swings, while higher federal shares typically track Title I concentration. Average teacher compensation clocks in at $58,659 per NCES F-33, a signal of the district's ability to recruit and retain staff against neighbouring districts. The district's equity score — 43/100, ranked #275 of 433 in Missouri against a state average of 50 — measures how evenly funding reaches schools within its boundaries.

Academic infrastructure includes 1 of 4 schools offering Advanced Placement (7 AP courses district-wide), a 306.6:1 student-counselor ratio, above the 250:1 ASCA recommendation, and 22.2% chronic absenteeism from the 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. Demographically, the student body averages 91.5% White, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 0.9% Asian across the district's schools.

West Plains Sr. High accounts for 42.2% of all WEST PLAINS R-VII student enrollment

That concentration — well above the 8.4% national median for largest-entity share — means WEST PLAINS R-VII-wide averages can mask substantial variation outside the dominant entity. Grade band: high. A single dominant campus often anchors a district's program offerings and staffing patterns; the share helps explain why district-wide averages may not reflect the typical neighbourhood-school experience. When one entity dominates a region's footprint, its programmatic and budget decisions effectively set policy for a majority of the affected population.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

WEST PLAINS R-VII school enrollment varies 5.7× across entities

WEST PLAINS R-VII school enrollment ranges from 196 students (lowest) to 1,108 students (highest), a spread of 912 students. That relatively narrow ratio reflects an unusually homogeneous campus portfolio — most districts have a wider mix of school sizes. Per-school staffing ratios, programme availability, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same district based on enrollment shape.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

WEST PLAINS R-VII student-counselor ratio is 307:1 — near the typical range (US average ~408) — within the typical range for U.S. public districts

student-counselor ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE counselors against total enrollment — districts that contract intervention or social-emotional staff outside the counselor classification may be under-counted Variation between sub-units within WEST PLAINS R-VII is typically wider than the WEST PLAINS R-VII-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection NCES Civil Rights Data Collection

WEST PLAINS R-VII chronic absenteeism rate is 22.2% — near the typical range (US average ~28) — aligned with the national post-pandemic baseline of roughly 28% chronic absenteeism

chronic absenteeism rate is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: a student is chronically absent if they miss ≥10% of enrolled days for any reason — illness, family obligations, or disengagement Variation between sub-units within WEST PLAINS R-VII is typically wider than the WEST PLAINS R-VII-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22 NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22

Where does the funding come from?

20.9%
Federal
33.0%
State
46.1%
Local

Funding Equity

43
Equity Score
275 / 433
State Rank
50
State Average

This district has moderate funding equity. There may be room to improve funding diversity or resource allocation.

Local Rent Costs

Fair Market Rents in Howell County county, where this district is located.

$612
Studio/mo
$677
1 BR/mo
$888
2 BR/mo
$1,224
3 BR/mo
$1,490
4 BR/mo

Average Teacher Salary

$58,659
Average annual teacher salary

Source: NCES CCD F-33 (Finance Survey).

Teacher salary data from NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey.

Student Demographics

Average demographic composition across 4 schools in WEST PLAINS R-VII.

White 91.5%
Hispanic or Latino 4.1%
Asian 0.9%
Multiracial 2.5%
Other 0.7%

Source: NCES CCD School Membership 2024-25.

Programs & Resources

1 / 4
Schools with AP
7 AP courses total
306.6:1
Student-Counselor Ratio
22.2%
Chronically Absent

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22.

Schools in WEST PLAINS R-VII

School Enrollment
West Plains Sr. High
1,108
West Plains Elem.
767
West Plains Middle
555
South Fork Elem.
196

Nearby Districts in Missouri

Top districts in the same state — compare side-by-side for enrollment, spending, and demographics.

SPRINGFIELD R-XII
22,937 students · 57 schools · $17,624/pupil
Compare vs WEST PLAINS R-VII →
ROCKWOOD R-VI
20,563 students · 31 schools · $13,397/pupil
Compare vs WEST PLAINS R-VII →
NORTH KANSAS CITY 74
20,561 students · 34 schools · $19,814/pupil
Compare vs WEST PLAINS R-VII →
COLUMBIA 93
18,800 students · 36 schools · $15,957/pupil
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ST. LOUIS CITY
18,321 students · 68 schools · $19,285/pupil
Compare vs WEST PLAINS R-VII →

Compare WEST PLAINS R-VII

See how this district compares to others in enrollment, spending, demographics, and academic resources.

Compare vs SPRINGFIELD R-XII →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in WEST PLAINS R-VII?

WEST PLAINS R-VII has 4 schools, including 1 high, 2 other, 1 elementary. Total enrollment is 2,698 students.

How much does WEST PLAINS R-VII spend per student?

WEST PLAINS R-VII spends $13,415 per student. The district has an equity score of 43/100, ranking #275 in Missouri.

What is the average teacher salary in WEST PLAINS R-VII?

The average teacher salary in WEST PLAINS R-VII is $58,659 per year, according to the NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey.

What is the average rent near WEST PLAINS R-VII?

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Howell County County is $N/A/month (2026). This affects housing affordability for families in the district.

What is the demographic composition of WEST PLAINS R-VII?

WEST PLAINS R-VII students are 91.5% White, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 0.9% Asian, 0.4% African American, averaged across 4 schools. Source: NCES CCD Membership 2024-25.

What is the equity score for WEST PLAINS R-VII?

WEST PLAINS R-VII has an equity score of 43/100, ranking #275 out of 433 districts in Missouri. This score measures resource distribution fairness across schools in the district.

Federal data Last updated 2026 Free public data

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