Jefferson City High School is a public secondary school in Jefferson City, Missouri. It is one of the five public high schools in Cole County and is one of two in Jefferson City.
Serving 1,373 students in grades 9-12, Jefferson City High School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Missouri for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 30%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 50% (which is higher than the Missouri state average of 40%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 62% (which is higher than the Missouri state average of 43%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the Missouri state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Missouri state average of 32% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,373 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 39%
- Graduation Rate: 88% (Btm 50% in MO)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20%
- Math Proficiency: 50% (Top 30%)
- Reading Proficiency: 62% (Top 10%)
- Science Proficiency: 41% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MO Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Jefferson City High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Missouri for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Most improved public schools
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Diversity
School Overview
Jefferson City High School's student population of 1,373 students has declined by 45% over five school years.
The teacher population of 101 teachers has declined by 42% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,373 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
101 teachers
Year Founded
1964
Colors
Black and Red
School Rankings
Jefferson City High School ranks within the top 20% of all 2,076 schools in Missouri (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Jefferson City High School is 0.58, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.51. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#316 out of 2076 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
40%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
62%
43%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
38%
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
12:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
2%
Hispanic
7%
8%
Black
20%
15%
White
61%
68%
Hawaiian
n/a
1%
Two or more races
11%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
88%
90%
Eligible for Free Lunch
39%
42%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
12%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MO Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Jay, Jaybird
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jefferson City High School's ranking?
Jefferson City High School is ranked #316 out of 2,076 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Missouri.
What schools are Jefferson City High School often compared to?
Jefferson City High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Blair Oaks High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
50% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 40% MO state average), while 62% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 43% MO state average).
What is the graduation rate of Jefferson City High School?
The graduation rate of Jefferson City High School is 88%, which is lower than the Missouri state average of 90%.
How many students attend Jefferson City High School?
1,373 students attend Jefferson City High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
61% of Jefferson City High School students are White, 20% of students are Black, 11% of students are Two or more races, 7% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Jefferson City High School?
Jefferson City High School has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the Missouri state average of 12:1.
What grades does Jefferson City High School offer ?
Jefferson City High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Jefferson City High School part of?
Jefferson City High School is part of Jefferson City School District.
School Reviews
5 9/3/2020
Small-town feel with the opportunities afforded by large schools. I have an older son that chose the career and tech route and was well served, and a younger son that chose a more traditional route that had a great experience. Like most large schools, if you student is focused on doing well, they will. Teachers and staff were very helpful.
5 1/17/2018
Both of our children graduated from JCHS and were well-prepared for college. The rigorous AP course offerings made them as competitive with their public education as students who attended private college-prep schools.
5 4/4/2011
This was a great school, despite my own bad experience with other students. This was not the fault of the school, there are bad students everywhere.
Review Jefferson City High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
