#1 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
Crossroads College Preparatory School
Independent school · Grades 7–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Saint Louis, MO
A+Overall grade125 students6 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in Missouri
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Missouri. Top 22 of 22 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
Thomas Jefferson School
Independent school · Grades 7–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Saint Louis, MO
A+Overall grade74 students4 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
Micds
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Missouri
Saint Louis, MO
A+Overall grade1,220 students9 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
Kansas City Academy
Independent school · Grades 6–12
Smaller classes than 83% of independent schools in Missouri
Kansas City, MO
A+Overall grade80 students6 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Joplin
Joplin, MO
A+Overall grade294 students9 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
Missouri Military Academy
Independent school · Grades 7–12
Small classes: about 6 students per teacher
Mexico, MO
A+Overall gradeAll boys182 students6 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
Rohan Woods School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
The smallest classes of any independent school in Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO
A+Overall grade68 students3 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
Whitfield School
Independent school · Grades 6–12
98% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Saint Louis, MO
A+Overall grade407 students9 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
The Summit Preparatory School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Growing: enrollment up 16% since 2011–12
Springfield, MO
AOverall grade139 students8 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
The Wilson School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Clayton, MO
A-Overall grade147 students7 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
Andrews Academy
Independent school · Grades K–8
The largest independent school in Lake Saint Louis
Lake Saint Louis, MO
B+Overall grade123 students5 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
The Barstow School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
98% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Kansas City, MO
B+Overall grade714 students12 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
Kansas City Academy
Independent school · Grades 6–12
Smaller classes than 89% of independent schools in Missouri
Kansas City, MO
B+Overall grade77 students6 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
The Pembroke Hill School - Wornall Campus
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the 3 largest independent schools in Missouri
Kansas City, MO
B+Overall grade1,045 students10 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
Community School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Saint Louis, MO
B+Overall grade305 students7 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
Lafayette Academy
Independent school · Grades K–12
Smaller classes than 72% of independent schools in Missouri
Lake Saint Louis, MO
B+Overall grade77 students6 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
Nwmsu Horace Mann Laboratory School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
Small classes: about 6 students per teacher
Maryville, MO
B+Overall grade85 students7 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
City Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–6
Growing: enrollment up 52% since 2011–12
Saint Louis, MO
B+Overall grade182 students5 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
City Garden School
Independent school · Grades K–7
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
Columbia, MO
B+Overall grade77 students8 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
Greenwood Laboratory School
Independent school · Grades K–12
The largest independent school in Springfield
Springfield, MO
BOverall grade431 students14 students per teacher
#21 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
City Garden School
Independent school · Grades K–7
The largest independent school in Columbia
Columbia, MO
B-Overall grade80 students32 students per teacher
#22 Best Independent Schools in Missouri
St. Louis Modern Chinese School
Independent school · Grades K–12
One of 14 independent schools in Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO
B-Overall grade229 students
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.