(words and arrangement by Mary Traughber Fidler in 1943) 

Black and gold her colors; 
Keytesville is her name. 
There in grandeur proud she stands; 
And we will fight to keep her fame. 
Loyalty, allegiance, 
Her name will never die. 
We will love thee, 
Serve thee forever, 
Keytesville High!
 
 

Our school believes that every child entrusted to its care should be ensured a free and appropriate education. We accept the responsibility to teach all students so that they can attain their maximum educational potential. We will strive to produce life-long learners who are healthy and productive members of society.
 
 

Most of Chariton County school records dated before 1866 were destroyed by the Civil War. Since then, a few facts have been found in the History of Howard and Chariton Counties. 

The first public school of Keytesville was organized after the Civil War. Sometime during 1891, a new school was built on the former location of the old Keytesville R-III Grade School.Ý In 1901, school textbooks were adopted.Ý To qualify as a first-class high school the school had to be in session nine months, offer 16 units of credit, and employ three secondary teachers.Ý In 1909, Keytesville became a first-class high school.Ý In 1948, schools in the county were divided into districts.Ý In 1949, Keytesville reorganized to include twenty-three (23) rural districts and one (1) high school district.Ý Five (5) elementary schools and one (1) central high school were maintained.Ý The official name of the school became Keytesville Reorganized School District No. 3.Ý Further reorganization and integration brought new school construction.Ý Several new high schools were built in the county, including our own Keytesville High School in 1959.Ý The elementary school was added to the high school in 1967.Ý In 1974, the Keytesville R-III School met the standards set by the State Department of Education necessary to receive an AA rating.Ý In 1994, the Keytesville R-III School District was accorded full academic accreditation under the auspices of the Missouri School Improvement Program and met the standards set by the State Department of Education to maintain an AA rating.Ý In 2005, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recognized Keytesville R-III School District for Distinction in Performance through the Missouri School Improvement Program for the 2004-2005 school year. 
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