Boone County Communities

Towns

• Ashland
• Centralia
• Columbia
• Hallsville
• Harrisburg
• Hartsburg
• Huntsdale
• McBaine
• Pierpont
• Rocheport
• Sturgeon
• Brown Station
• Claysville
• Deer Park
• Easley
• Englewood
• Gans
• Harg
• Hinton
• Midway
• Murry
• Perche
• Prathersville
• Providence
• Riggs
• Sapp
• Shaw
• Stephens
• Wilton
• Woodlandville

1. Public K–12 Schools

Public schools in Missouri are generally organized by school districts rather than by city boundaries. Boone County’s main public school districts are:

1. Columbia Public Schools (CPS)

   • High Schools (e.g., Rock Bridge, Hickman, Battle, Douglass)

   • Middle Schools (e.g., Jefferson, Gentry, Lange, Smithton, West, John Warner, and others)

   • Elementary Schools (over 20, including Benton STEM, Grant, Lee Expressive Arts, etc.)

   • Special Programs (e.g., Columbia Area Career Center, Center for Gifted Education)

   • Serves most of the city of Columbia and some outlying areas.

2. Southern Boone County R-I School District (Ashland)

   • One elementary school, one primary school (grades PK–2), one middle school, and one high school, all located in or near Ashland.

3. Hallsville R-IV School District (Hallsville)

   • Hallsville Primary, Hallsville Intermediate, Hallsville Middle, and Hallsville High.

4. Harrisburg R-VIII School District (Harrisburg)

   • Harrisburg Elementary, Harrisburg Middle, Harrisburg High.

5. Sturgeon R-V School District (Sturgeon)

   • Sturgeon Elementary, Sturgeon Middle, Sturgeon High.

6. Centralia R-VI School District (Centralia)

   • Although part of Centralia is in Audrain County, the district serves students in both Boone and Audrain counties.

   • Centralia High, Chester Boren Middle, Centralia Intermediate, Chance Elementary.

2. Private & Parochial K–12 Schools

Several private schools in Boone County—primarily in Columbia—serve grades K–12 or a portion thereof. The list below includes some of the more prominent options; it is not exhaustive, as smaller or home-based academies may also be operating.

• Columbia Independent School (CIS)

  • PK–12, college-preparatory curriculum.

• Christian Fellowship School

  • K–12, Christian-based curriculum.

• Father Tolton Catholic High School

  • 9–12, the newest Catholic high school in Columbia.

• Our Lady of Lourdes Interparish School

  • K–8, Catholic parish school.

• Heritage Academy

  • K–12, Christian-based curriculum.

• Christian Chapel Academy

  • PK–8, affiliated with Christian Chapel church.

• Child Evangelism Fellowship / Good News Club (supplementary programs)

• Columbia Adventist Academy (College Park Christian Academy)

  • K–8, Seventh-day Adventist-affiliated.

(Other parochial or private elementary and preschool options exist. Check local church ministries or the Missouri Department of Education’s private school listings for additional details.)

3. Higher Education

Boone County is well known for its concentration of higher education institutions, especially in the city of Columbia. Major colleges and universities include:

1. University of Missouri (MU)

   • The flagship campus of the University of Missouri System, located in Columbia. Offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs (including law, medicine, veterinary medicine, and more).

2. Columbia College

   • A private, nonprofit liberal arts institution in Columbia. Operates both on-campus and online degree programs.

3. Stephens College

   • One of the oldest women’s colleges in the U.S., based in Columbia. Offers undergraduate programs for women and coeducational graduate programs.

4. Moberly Area Community College (MACC) – Columbia Campus

   • A two-year community college with a branch campus located in Columbia. Offers associate degrees and technical certifications.