Summary:
The city of Bourbon, Missouri is home to three schools - Bourbon Elementary School, Bourbon High School, and Bourbon Middle School - all part of the Crawford County R-I school district. While the middle school appears to be a standout performer, the elementary and high schools face challenges with low academic achievement and high chronic absenteeism rates.
Bourbon Middle School consistently ranks highly in the state, earning a 4-star rating for the 2024-2025 school year and a 5-star rating for 2022-2023. The school's test scores generally outperform the district and state averages, particularly in mathematics and English language arts. In contrast, Bourbon High School and Bourbon Elementary School have lower statewide rankings and ratings, as well as test scores that trail the state averages in many subject areas.
Across all three Bourbon schools, chronic absenteeism rates are a significant concern, with all schools reporting rates around 20% for the 2023-2024 school year - well above the state average. Additionally, the high free/reduced lunch rates, especially at Bourbon Elementary School, indicate that many students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, which can present additional hurdles for academic achievement. Despite the relatively high per-student spending at these schools, the performance gaps suggest the district may need to address funding inequities and optimize resource allocation to better support the needs of all Bourbon students.
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