Best Missouri Magnet Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 magnet public preschools serving 5,470 students in Missouri.
Learn more about how magnet schools work. The top-ranked magnet public preschools in Missouri are Mallinckrodt A.b.i. Elementary School, Betty Wheeler Classical Jr. Ac and Border Star Montessori. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Missouri magnet public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Missouri public pre school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 37% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Missouri public preschool average of 36% (majority Black).

Best Magnet Public Preschools in Missouri (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mallinckrodt A.b.i. Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
6020 Pernod Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63139
(314) 352-9212
Gr: PK-5 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #22.
Betty Wheeler Classical Jr. Ac
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
5031 Potomac
Saint Louis, MO 63139
(314) 353-8875
Gr: PK-5 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #33.
Border Star Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6321 Wornall Rd
Kansas City, MO 64113
(816) 418-5150
Gr: PK-6 | 251 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #44.
Foreign Language Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3450 Warwick
Kansas City, MO 64111
(816) 418-6000
Gr: PK-8 | 594 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #55.
John T. Hartman Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
8111 Oak
Kansas City, MO 64114
(816) 418-1750
Gr: PK-6 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #66.
Carver Dual Language School
Magnet School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4600 Elmwood Ave
Kansas City, MO 64130
(816) 418-4925
Gr: PK-6 | 468 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #77.
Holliday Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
7227 Jackson
Kansas City, MO 64132
(816) 418-1950
Gr: PK-6 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Dewey School-internat'l. Studies
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
815 Ann Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63104
(314) 645-4845
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Shaw Visual/perf. Arts Center
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5329 Columbia Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63139
(314) 776-5091
Gr: PK-5 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1010.
Ames Visual/perf. Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2900 Hadley
Saint Louis, MO 63107
(314) 241-7165
Gr: PK-5 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1111.
Mullanphy Botanical Gardens
Magnet School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4221 Shaw Blvd
Saint Louis, MO 63110
(314) 772-0994
Gr: PK-5 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1212.
Gateway Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4 Gateway Dr
Saint Louis, MO 63106
(314) 241-8255
Gr: PK-5 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1313.
Washington Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1130 N Euclid Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63113
(314) 361-0432
Gr: PK-5 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1414.
Lyon At Blow Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
516 Loughborough Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63111
(314) 353-1353
Gr: PK-8 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: n/an/a
Stix Early Childhood Center
Magnet School
647 Tower Grove Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63110
(314) 533-0874
Gr: PK-2 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: n/an/a
Wilkinson Early Childhood Center
Magnet School
1921 Prather Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63139
(314) 645-1202
Gr: PK-2 | 304 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 68%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked magnet public preschools in Missouri?
The top-ranked magnet public preschools in Missouri include Mallinckrodt A.b.i. Elementary School, Betty Wheeler Classical Jr. Ac and Border Star Montessori.
How many magnet public preschools are located in Missouri?
16 magnet public preschools are located in Missouri.
What is the racial composition of students in Missouri?
Missouri magnet public preschools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Missouri public preschools average of 36% (majority Black).

Recent Articles

When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.