- CENTRAL ELEM. — Grades PK–5 · 643 students
- PRAIRIE DELL ELEMENTARY — Grades PK–5 · 495 students
- BEAUFORT ELEM. — Grades PK–5 · 322 students
- UNION MIDDLE — Grades 6–8 · 704 students
- UNION HIGH — Grades 9–12 · 956 students
| Metric | Jefferson County R-VII School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 3,159 | 3,700 | ≈ Near average |
| Number of Schools | 5 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | Not rated | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County R-VII School District (this district) | 9/10 | 82nd | 3,159 |
| North St. Francis County R-I School District | 2/10 | 19th | 2,757 |
| Sullivan C-2 School District | 6/10 | 58th | 2,114 |
| Valley Park School District | 8/10 | 72nd | 803 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 475 rated districts in MO → → 9/10.
Source: Missouri DESE MAP, MSIP Total, Proficient+Advanced, 2025. Full methodology →
About Jefferson County R-VII School District
Jefferson County R-VII School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 63028 in Festus, Missouri. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 63028. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Jefferson County R-VII School District runs approximately $11,000 annually, placing it near the Missouri state average of approximately $11,000 and below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Jefferson County R-VII School District is a mid-sized district with 5 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 1,108 students in total. Mid-sized districts strike a balance between community-scale relationships and sufficient program breadth. Most offer core academic tracks, basic extracurricular programs, and adequate student support services.
Understanding the 9/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Jefferson County R-VII School District 9 out of 10 — top-tier among Missouri public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Missouri’s MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) assessments (2025 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Missouri is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Jefferson County R-VII School District ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Missouri on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 63028 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 63028
Children in zip code 63028 are assigned to Jefferson County R-VII School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 63028, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Jefferson County R-VII School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Missouri districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Festus
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Jefferson County R-VII School District serves zip code 63028, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 63028. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Missouri, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Jefferson County R-VII School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 63028.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Jefferson County R-VII School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 63028 data.