Santa Fe R-x, MO - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Santa Fe R-x

Santa Fe R-X is a small public school district in Lafayette County, Missouri, serving just over three hundred students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. It operates two schools: Santa Fe Elementary and Santa Fe High School. The district’s enrollment is predominantly white, with a Hispanic population of roughly ten percent and a very small Black student population. Data on students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and students with disabilities was not reported, so a reader cannot gauge the district’s economic or special education profile from the available figures.

Academic performance on Missouri’s state assessments is reported for several elementary and middle school grades, though many results are suppressed due to small testing groups, which is common in a district of this size. Among the results that are available, the picture is mixed with clear bright spots. In fourth grade math, roughly seven in ten students scored proficient or above. In seventh grade math, the rate was higher, approaching eight in ten. Fourth grade English language arts showed a similar proficiency rate. These are strong numbers for a small rural district. Many other grade-level results in math, ELA, and science were suppressed, making it difficult to assess the full academic picture across all tested grades.

When placed among the six districts in Lafayette County, Santa Fe R-X stands apart on several measures. The district ranks in the top quartile for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades, meaning its students perform at a higher level than most of their peers in the county. The district also sits in the top quartile for chronic absenteeism being low, a mark of strong attendance habits among its students. Per-pupil current spending falls in the upper range among county districts, a fact that may reflect a range of factors including small-district cost structures.

The district’s graduation rate was not reported, often because the number of students in the cohort is too small for public reporting. A parent considering the high school years would want to ask the school directly about graduation outcomes. The same applies to information about Advanced Placement, dual credit, or career and technical education pathways. No program data was available to describe what opportunities exist beyond the core curriculum.

The housing market across the district’s service area is notably more affordable than the national and state benchmarks. The weighted average home value is well below the Missouri state average and the national average, even after a period of steady appreciation. The district covers several small towns including Alma, Corder, Waverly, and Sweet Springs, each with its own character and home price range, but all sharing a relatively accessible price point. The national unemployment rate and mortgage rates provide useful context: at the time of analysis, a thirty-year fixed mortgage was around six and a half percent, and the typical mortgage payment on a home in this area is manageable for a household earning the national median income.

No recent district-wide changes such as referendums, curriculum shifts, or property-tax adjustments were found in publicly available information. The district appears to be in a period of stability without major disruption or expansion. For a family seeking a small, rural district with a strong record of attendance and academic performance that outpaces its county peers, Santa Fe R-X warrants a closer look. The gaps in data around economic need, special education, and high school outcomes are notable limitations, and a parent with a child approaching high school should pursue those details directly with the district. The overall picture is of a district that is small, cohesive, and performing well where the state data can be seen, set in a community where homeownership remains within reach.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

334

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 10%

Black 2%

White 88%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

Math

Gr 7

—

76%

Schools in this District

2 schools are officially reported under this district.

SANTA FE ELEM.

SANTA FE HIGH

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

2 grades reported

70%

Grade 4

77%

Grade 7

English Language Arts

1 grade reported

74%

Grade 4

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$206,189

Year-over-year change+7.2%

Range across 5 ZIP codes$184K to $237K

vs. state typical0.78x

vs. national typical0.56x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (5 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
64096	Waverly	$197K	+6.2%	26.4%
64001	Alma	$218K	+9.8%	21.7%
64021	Corder	$193K	+0.6%	6.2%
64020		$237K	+9.2%	3.3%
65351	Sweet Springs	$184K	+9.6%	1.1%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,040/mo

Home price / national median income2.5x

Comparison

State typical home value$265,398 (+2.8% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.