William Chrisman High School is a high school located in Independence, Missouri, United States, as part of the Independence School District.
Serving 1,441 students in grades 9-12, William Chrisman High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Missouri for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 24% (which is lower than the Missouri state average of 40%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 44% (which is higher than the Missouri state average of 43%).
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is higher than the Missouri state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Missouri state average of 32% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,441 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 17:1
- Minority Enrollment: 37%
- Graduation Rate: 87% (Btm 50% in MO)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 24% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 44% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 35% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MO Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
William Chrisman High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Missouri for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
William Chrisman High School's student population of 1,441 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 84 teachers has grown by 9% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,441 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
84 teachers
Year Founded
1888
Colors
Navy Blue, Gold
School Rankings
William Chrisman High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,076 schools in Missouri (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of William Chrisman High School is 0.56, 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
#1436 out of 2076 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
24%
40%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
43%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
38%
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
12:1
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
1%
2%
Hispanic
18%
8%
Black
13%
15%
White
63%
68%
Hawaiian
1%
1%
Two or more races
3%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
87%
90%
Eligible for Free Lunch
56%
42%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
14%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MO Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Bears
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is William Chrisman High School's ranking?
William Chrisman High School is ranked #1436 out of 2,076 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Missouri.
What schools are William Chrisman High School often compared to?
William Chrisman High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Truman High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
24% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 40% MO state average), while 44% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 43% MO state average).
What is the graduation rate of William Chrisman High School?
The graduation rate of William Chrisman High School is 87%, which is lower than the Missouri state average of 90%.
How many students attend William Chrisman High School?
1,441 students attend William Chrisman High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
63% of William Chrisman High School students are White, 18% of students are Hispanic, 13% of students are Black, 3% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of William Chrisman High School?
William Chrisman High School has a student ration of 17:1, which is higher than the Missouri state average of 12:1.
What grades does William Chrisman High School offer ?
William Chrisman High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is William Chrisman High School part of?
William Chrisman High School is part of Independence 30 School District.
School Reviews
2 5/31/2010
No good sports programs, except cheerleading. Availability of programs is good, just no good coaches. Most of the facilities are decent. Powerschool (online program for parents/students) would be good, if teachers utilized it more than once a month. Parent involvement is terrible.
Review William Chrisman 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.