Achieving Excellence Through Learning: Every Child, Every Hour, Every Day
Founded in 1885, the Poplar Bluff R-I School District has served as a cornerstone of public education in Southeast Missouri for over a century. Today, it stands as one of the region’s largest school systems and among the top 40 districts statewide, educating nearly 5,000 students from preschool through adult education. Our mission—Achieving excellence through learning: every child, every hour, every day—guides every decision we make and fuels our commitment to academic achievement, opportunity, and lifelong success for all learners.
A Legacy of Community and Growth
Poplar Bluff is a forward-thinking community of more than 16,000 residents. Known as the "Gateway to the Ozarks," our city is surrounded by natural beauty with access to three rivers, Wappapello Lake, and the Mark Twain National Forest. It is also a hub of regional commerce and industry, home to manufacturing leaders such as Briggs & Stratton, Mid Continent Steel and Wire, Gates Rubber Company, and True Manufacturing. The community has continually invested in infrastructure and education, including the passage of an 80-cent levy in 2014 that financed $50 million in construction and modernization across our campuses.
Our Schools
The Poplar Bluff R-I School District includes:
- Early Childhood Center (Ages 3–4)
- Kindergarten Center
- Four Neighborhood Elementary Schools (Eugene Field, Lake Road, Oak Grove, and O’Neal)
- Middle School (Grades 4–6)
- Junior High School (Grades 7–8)
- High School (Grades 9–12)
- Technical Career Center (Serving grades 11–12, area sending schools, and adults)
- Mark Twain School, a non-traditional setting supporting middle and high school learners
Together, these facilities span nearly one million square feet of academic space. Our average building age reflects our district’s rich history, from the Junior High School’s historic 1937 spaces to our state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Center, opened in 2024.
A District of Excellence
Poplar Bluff Schools is proud to be the largest school district in Southeast Missouri and the third largest employer in Butler County, with nearly 800 professional and support staff. We are a nationally recognized Professional Learning Community, committed to collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
We implement nationally acclaimed frameworks such as Capturing Kids’ Hearts, The Leader in Me, and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Our schools have been recognized with numerous state and national honors, including:
- National Blue Ribbon Schools: Oak Grove (2019), Lake Road (2018)
- ESEA Distinguished Schools: Eugene Field, Lake Road, Oak Grove
- U.S. News & World Report Top Elementary Schools in Missouri
- Special Olympics Unified Champion School: Poplar Bluff High School (2024)
- Capturing Kids’ Hearts Showcase Schools: Multiple buildings district-wide
A Supportive Place to Work
As a major employer, Poplar Bluff Schools offers competitive salaries above regional norms, fully board-paid health insurance, and extensive retirement and leave benefits. Our robust induction and coaching programs ensure educators—new and experienced—receive support and opportunities for growth, including leadership development and career advancement through programs like Pathways for Paras.
Our Vision for the Future
With strong community partnerships, a thriving workforce, and a passionate commitment to student achievement, Poplar Bluff Schools continues to grow. We proudly educate the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators, shaping a bright future for Southeast Missouri.