Parkway School District is a large suburban public school district serving communities across western St. Louis County. Often referred to as Parkway Schools or the Parkway C-2 School District, the system is widely recognized for its high academic standards and extensive extracurricular offerings.
Location and Communities in Parkway School District
Headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri, on North Woods Mill Road, the Parkway School District spans approximately 68 square miles. Due to its broad geographic footprint, the district serves parts or all of several municipalities, including Creve Coeur, Manchester, Town and Country, Maryland Heights, and Ballwin.
The district’s development is historically linked to the Daniel Boone Parkway—now Interstate 64/Highway 40—which originally connected these communities to St. Louis City and helped shape the region’s suburban growth.
Student Enrollment and Diversity in Parkway School District
Parkway School District operates 29 schools, consisting of:
- 18 elementary schools
- 5 middle schools
- 4 traditional high schools
- 1 choice/alternative high school program known as Fern Ridge
Total student enrollment is approximately 16,924 students.
The district serves a broad, inclusive student population from diverse backgrounds. Families within the district collectively speak 108 distinct languages, and more than 1,200 students are designated as English Learners, reflecting the district’s global reach and commitment to supporting students from many cultural and linguistic communities.
Academic Performance and Parkway High Schools
Parkway School District consistently ranks in the top 10–15% of Missouri school districts in core academic subjects. A distinctive feature of the district is its quadrant-based high school structure, which assigns students to one of four traditional high schools based on geographic location:
- Parkway Central (Chesterfield)
- Parkway North (Creve Coeur/Maryland Heights)
- Parkway South (Manchester)
- Parkway West (Ballwin/Chesterfield)
These schools are frequently recognized among the nation’s Best High Schools by publications such as U.S. News & World Report. In addition, the district offers specialized academic programs, including the Spark! Experiential learning initiative and the MOSAICS Academy for gifted students.
Financial Stability and District Improvements
As a large suburban district, Parkway School District relies primarily on local funding sources. It has earned a AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor’s, a distinction held by only a small number of school districts nationwide, and an indicator of strong financial management.
The district is currently implementing Proposition S, a capital improvement initiative approved in 2022. This program supports ongoing renovations to modernize aging school facilities and upgrade technology across the district.
