North Mercer School District
The North Mercer School District, officially known as the North Mercer County R-III School District, is a public school district headquartered in Mercer, Missouri. The district operates a single PreK–12 school, North Mercer School, and serves the town of Mercer and a portion of nearby Ravanna.
Administration
As of 2025, the district superintendent is Dan Owens, whose contract was extended by the Board of Education in 2020. The principal for all grade levels is Wes Guilkey, whose contract was also renewed in 2021.
Academics
The district offers a full K–12 curriculum and participates in dual credit programs to support college readiness. In 1995, students from the Lineville-Clio Community School District in Iowa attended Spanish classes at North Mercer School as part of a cooperative arrangement.
Performance
As of the 2024–2025 school year, the district serves approximately 156 students and maintains a student–teacher ratio of about 7:1, one of the lowest in the state. The district ranks in the top 20% of Missouri public school districts for academic performance, with math proficiency at 48% and reading proficiency at 56%, both above state averages.
Athletics
In 2005, North Mercer entered into a cooperative agreement with the Princeton R-V School District for athletics. Under this arrangement, North Mercer hosts boys' softball for both districts, while Princeton hosts football.
Facilities and Programs
The district offers a variety of extracurricular programs, including a summer after-school program and partnerships with local arts organizations such as the Children’s Theater Workshop.
Extent
The North Mercer School District covers the northeastern third of Mercer County, Missouri including the municipalities of Mercer and South Lineville, and part of the census-designated place Ravanna.