Education

he Kirksville area has long been a leader in education, and is the home of many excellent schools, including public and parochial primary and secondary schools, Truman State University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, the School of Health Management, A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, and Moberly Area Community College – Kirksville Center.

The university, founded over 100 years ago, is home to the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM), and the online School of Health Management (SHM). Additionally, the university has the Arizona School of Health Sciences and Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health in Mesa, Arizona. KCOM is the founding college of osteopathic medicine.


The college has approximately 750 students from across the United States and the world. Approximately 60 percent of all KCOM graduates choose to enter family practice in rural or underserved areas, reflecting the college’s emphasis on primary care. The School of Health Management offers quality internet e-learning for masters certificate and degree programs in Geriatric Health Management, Public Health, and Health Administration. A six course certificate of medical office management is also offered.

Although Moberly Area Community College began offering classes in Kirksville in 1996 at the area vocational school, in the summer of 2000 three modular classroom units were leased and set up in order to offer daytime as well as evening classes. A 28,000-square-foot permanent facility was constructed and opened in January of 2002.
The state of the art building offers many areas of opportunity for students in northeast Missouri. In addition to over fifty courses offered at the center, internet courses will be available for the Spring / Fall 2004 semesters. The MACC-Kirksville Higher Education Center serves over 400 students with associate degrees in four fields and educational programs in an additional twelve.

Founded in 1867 by  Joseph Baldwin as the First District  Normal School, Truman State has the distinction of being Missouri’s only highly selective statewide public Liberal Arts and Sciences University. The university has an enrollment of approximately 6,000 students, representing 38 states and 49 foreign countries.
Truman State University has a long history of being nationally recognized for providing high quality education at an affordable cost. Truman is known for its commitment to student learning and accountability.
Truman State has been recognized by U.S. News & World Reportfor the ninth year in a row as the Number 1 Public University in the Midwest Region – Masters Category, and was also ranked eight overall in the Midwest region among both private and public instutions, the only public university in Missouri to be included in either ranking.

Using science-based knowledge, University of Missouri Extension engages people to understand change, solve problems and make informed decisions.
MU Extension makes University educational programs and information accessible for: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Workforce Development, Community Development, Continuing Education Programs, 4-H Youth Development and Human Environmental Sciences.

The Kirksville R-III public school system consists of Kirksville Primary School, Ray Miller Elementary, Kirksville Middle School, Kirksville High School, and Kirksville Area Technical Center.
Offering students a strong educational foundation, Kirksville R-III school is a leader in educational programming. The district enrolls approximately 2,400 students in grades K-12.
Kirksville High School, working with the State of Missouri, has become part of the A+ Schools Program. This program challenges schools to redefine education and to build partnerships with institutions of higher education, employers, the community, parents, and the students themselves.

Adair County R-1 School District located in Novinger is the Home of the Wildcats. We are extremely proud of the programs we offer. In addition to an excellent academic foundation, we offer many activities, clubs, and sports designed to help students become well-rounded, mature young adults.


We dedicate ourselves to enhancing the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development of all students to produce active learners capable of meeting future challenges. Our goal is to create an optimum learning environment, which will promote the education development of each student and help each student be the best that he can be. The District’s hope is that our students, families, and the entire community will share in the pride that we feel for our school.

Adair County R-I has an enrollment of 304 students K-12 with 57 staff and faculty members.

The Adair County R-II School District, located in  Brashear, has a long tradition of providing quality education to the children of our district and enjoys excellent community support as evidenced by the strong parental and community involvement. Boosters club, advisory committees for the school, participation in evening educational activities, and support of the athletic programs are just a few of the activities that show the deep-rooted support of our patrons.
The district enjoys an experienced and committed faculty and staff and the high school offers students up to 35 hours of college credit through dual enrollment classes. The school has received honors in the past, including national recognition as Title I Distinguished School as well as recognition from  Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for Distinction in Performance. The district currently has an enrollment of 248 students in grades K-12 and employs a faculty and staff of approximately 60.

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