For the second year in a row, the Ladue School District was named the top school district in Missouri in Niche.com’s 2025 Best School Districts in America rankings. The district also ranks 6th in the nation among all school districts, up from 8th in the 2024 rankings. 

“This remarkable achievement is a testament to the dedication of our outstanding students, amazing teachers and staff, strong parent partnerships, and the unwavering support of our incredible community,” Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke said.

“Recognitions like these show Ladue Schools’ commitment to education and empowering students to become passionate learners and achieve their highest potential. It is a celebration of the tireless work our teachers and staff put in to lay the foundation for our students to be difference-makers.”

Additionally, Niche recognized Ladue Horton Watkins High School as the #1 public high school in Missouri and the Ladue Fifth Grade Center as the #1 elementary school in Missouri. 

The other primary schools all ranked in the top 10 of Missouri elementary schools, with Conway Elementary School ranked 2nd, Spoede Elementary School ranked 3rd, Reed Elementary School ranked 4th, and Old Bonhomme Elementary School ranked 8th on the same list. 

Ladue Middle School was recognized as the #2 public middle school in the state.

Niche is an online resource that provides data on schools, neighborhoods, and companies; it ranks schools and districts based on several factors including academic and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education, teacher and staff data, and culture and diversity.