These 15 high schools are some of the highest ranked in the KC area for 2025
One Kansas school district dominated the recent rankings of Kansas City area high schools, according to education ranking site Niche.
The Star looked at the highest-rated high schools in the Kansas City area for 2025, which included both Kansas and Missouri and public and private institutions. In addition, The Star included the best high schools with predominantly low income students, according to Niche.
Niche used a variety of factors to construct the ranking.
Using sources like government data and surveys conducted by Niche, public schools are scored on their academics, culture and diversity, teachers, and student and parent satisfaction. Private schools are not required to report data to the Department of Education, so Niche scores them on college enrollment information, culture and diversity and Niche surveys.
The Star has previously written about Niche’s highest rated elementary and middle schools.
In the last six months, Kansas City area voters have decided to invest more in their public schools, passing bonds to improve buildings in Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, North Kansas City and Kansas City Kansas school districts. Northland voters also approved raises for teachers in the Park Hill School District.
Best all-around high schools in the Kansas City area
Here are the top-rated high schools in the Kansas City area for 2025, according to Niche. The tuition and demographic data were compiled by Niche.
Four of the top 10 schools on the list are located in the Blue Valley School District, which serves Kansas students in Overland Park, Leawood and Olathe.
- 11511 State Line Road
- Private, $28,950 a year
- 750 students from preschool through high school
- 100% graduation rate
- 9:1 student-teacher ratio
- 5121 State Line Road
- Private, $32,568 a year
- 1,194 students from preschool through high school
- 100% graduation rate
- 8:1 student-teacher ratio
3. Blue Valley North High School
- 12200 Lamar Ave., Overland Park
- Public, Blue Valley School District
- 1,414 high school students
- 96% graduation rate
- 15:1 student-teacher ratio
4. Blue Valley West High School
- 16200 Antioch Road, Overland Park
- Public, Blue Valley School District
- 1,514 high school students
- 99% graduation rate
- 15:1 student-teacher ratio
5. Notre Dame de Sion High School
- 10631 Wornall Road
- Private Catholic girls school, $16,200 a year
- 312 high school students
- 100% graduation rate
- 9:1 student-teacher ratio
- 6001 W. 159th St., Stillwell
- Public, Blue Valley School District
- 1,412 high school students
- 98% graduation rate
- 16:1 student-teacher ratio
7. Blue Valley Northwest High School
- 13260 Switzer Road, Overland Park
- Public, Blue Valley School District
- 1,344 high school students
- 97% graduation rate
- 14:1 student-teacher ratio
- 9301 State Line Road
- Private Catholic boys school, $17,550 a year
- 938 high school students
- 100% graduation rate
- 11:1 student-teacher ratio
- 5600 Main St.
- Private Catholic girls school, $17,650 a year
- 570 high school students
- 100% graduation rate
- 11:1 student-teacher ratio
10. Shawnee Mission East High School
- 7500 Mission Road, Prairie Village
- Public, Shawnee Mission School District
- 1,697 high school students
- 97% graduation rate
- 17:1 student-teacher ratio
Best Kansas City area high schools that serve low-income populations
These high schools are ranked by their success at educating economically disadvantaged students and students of color.
The ranking looks at the graduation rate and math and reading proficiency of low income students and the percentage of the student body that is economically disadvantaged and/or part of a racial minority. The website did not give a definition of “economically disadvantaged.”
1. Lincoln College Preparatory Academy
- 2111 Woodland Ave.
- Public magnet, Kansas City Public Schools
- 897 high school students
- 95% graduation rate
- 16:1 student-teacher ratio
2. North Kansas City High School
- 620 E. 23rd Ave.
- Public, North Kansas City School District
- 1,640 high school students
- 94% graduation rate
- 16:1 student-teacher ratio
3. Sumner Academy of Arts and Science
- 1610 N. 8th St., Kansas City, Kansas
- Public magnet, Kansas City Kansas Public Schools
- 1,102 high school students
- 95% graduation rate
- 16:1 student-teacher ratio
- 3301 S. Noland Road, Independence
- Public, Independence School District
- 1,662 high school students
- 96% graduation rate
- 18:1 student-teacher ratio
- 706 W. 42nd St.
- Charter school, Kansas City
- 133 high school students
- 90% graduation rate
- 12:1 student-teacher ratio
