Top 10 Best High Schools in St. Louis in 2025

If you’re moving to St. Louis and schools are your top priority, this article breaks down the top 10 schools in the St. Louis metro. From Rockwood Summit to Ladue, this list will help you narrow your search for the perfect home for your family.

Here’s a quick list of the top 10 best St. Louis high schools:

  1. Ladue
  2. Clayton
  3. Lafayette
  4. Parkway West
  5. Marquette
  6. Parkway Central
  7. Kirkwood
  8. Metro High
  9. O’Fallon High
  10. Rockwood Summit

#1: Ladue Horton Watkins

Ladue Horton Watkins high school
Ladue Horton Watkins high school

Ladue Horton Watkins is the number one school system on this list. It serves all of Ladue, Olivette, and parts of Creve Coeur, Frontenac, Huntleigh, and Westwood. Ladue typically ranks very highly, but it is also very expensive.

Those looking to save money may want to consider living in Olivette or Creve Coeur, which can still be pricey but not as expensive as Ladue.

#2: Clayton High School

Clayton High school in Clayton, Missouri

Clayton High School is located right next to downtown Clayton and Shaw Park and serves all of Clayton and some parts of Richmond Heights.

Clayton high school

It’s one of the highest-ranking school districts, but living in Clayton can certainly be pricey. Clayton is a great mix of urban and suburban living, with downtown Clayton having a ton of commercial space, offices, high-rise buildings, and condos.

#3: Lafayette

Lafayette high school
Lafayette high school

Lafayette High School is part of the Rockwood School System and serves a big part of Wildwood and the western side of Chesterfield. Lafayette is a top-rated school and local residents of West County speak very highly of the entire Rockwood school district.

#4 Parkway West

Parkway West high school

Parkway West is one high school within the Parkway School System. It serves a big portion of Town and Country and parts of Chesterfield. There are also parts of Ballwin and Manchester that are part of Parkway West, which are usually more affordable than Town and Country and Chesterfield.

#5: Marquette

Marquette high school

Marquette is another school in the Rockwood School System. It serves parts of Chesterfield, Ballwin, and all of Clarkson Valley.

Clarkson Valley is often overlooked, but it’s pretty much the same as Chesterfield, just much smaller. Home prices in this area are more reasonable than Town and Country and Westwood.

#6: Parkway Central

Parkway central high school

Parkway Central serves different areas, including Westwood, Creve Coeur, and Chesterfield. There are over a dozen elementary schools in Creve Coeur and Chesterfield that are part of Parkway Central.

Town and Country and Westwood are the most expensive options in this school district.

#7: Kirkwood High

The Kirkwood school system serves Kirkwood, Oakland, Des Peres, Huntleigh, and Frontenac. Kirkwood High School is a phenomenal school and the archrival of Webster Groves in sports!

Kirkwood High Walker Natatorium
Walker Natatorium at Kirkwood High School

Kirkwood High recently completed construction on the brand new Walker Natatorium which is a 25,000 square-foot aquatic facility with a 115-foot pool and diving boards.

#8: Metro High

Metro high school, St. Louis City

Metro Academic and Classical High School, or Metro High for short, is the only school in St. Louis City that made the list for the Niche.com rankings for 2023. It’s located in the Central West End, a beautiful and historic neighborhood. With Euclid Avenue nearby, you’ll have access to shopping, restaurants, and nightlife in the Central West End.

Forest Park is also around the corner, making it a great place to take the kids or the dog for a walk.

#9: O’Fallon High School

O'Fallon High School one of the top St. Louis high schools

With a student body of around 2,500, O’Fallon High is one of the largest high schools in the area and features a state-of-the-art campus. It’s the only school on this list on the Illinois side of St. Louis.

O’Fallon High offers a wide range of academic programs, including Advanced Placement courses and dual-credit courses in partnership with local colleges. The school is also well-known for its strong athletics program, with many of its sports teams regularly competing at the state level.

The school has a rich history and a strong tradition of excellence, with a dedicated faculty and staff committed to providing students with a high-quality education.

#10: Rockwood Summit High

Rockwood Summit high school

Rockwood Summit High is part of the Rockwood School District, which serves the entire western portion of St. Louis County.

This includes Chesterfield, Wildwood, Ellisville, Ballwin, Eureka, and parts of Jefferson County. Rockwood Summit is located in Fenton, and is number 10 on this list.

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Mindy Bushman

Mindy Bushman spent 12 years as a property manager in commercial real estate after graduating from Northwest Missouri State University. As a licensed real estate agent, Mindy serves buyers and sellers in St. Charles, St. Louis, Warren, and Lincoln counties. Mindy has always been in customer service and loves working and connecting with people. She guides her clients through every step of the real estate process. The cutting-edge technology and world-class marketing support of Gateway Realty Group bolster her marketing proficiency. A full-scale marketing strategy, combined with Mindy's highly effective negotiation skills, gives her clients a competitive edge and a top return on their investment. Known for her warm and inviting demeanor, Mindy holds the utmost professional standards with her clients.