For the 2024-25 school year, there are 29 public schools serving 16,203 students in Dallas County, IA (there are 5 private schools, serving 261 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Dallas County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%). Dallas County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Iowa.
The top ranked public schools in Dallas County, IA are Van Meter Elementary School, Van Meter Middle School and Van Meter High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dallas County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 74% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Dallas County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Dallas County (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Van Meter Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
520 1st Ave
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Grades: PK-5
| 571 students
Rank: #22.
Van Meter Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
520 1st Ave
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Grades: 6-8
| 227 students
Rank: #33.
Van Meter High School
Magnet School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
520 1st Ave
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Grades: 9-12
| 292 students
Rank: #44.
Meadow View Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1300 S. 15th Street
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4283
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4283
Grades: 2-4
| 520 students
Rank: #55.
Waukee Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
850 6th St
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5193
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5193
Grades: K-5
| 682 students
Rank: #66.
Waukee Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
905 S. Warrior Lane
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5177
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5177
Grades: 6-7
| 1,069 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Adm Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
801 Nile Kinnick Dr. S.
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-3490
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-3490
Grades: 7-8
| 343 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Adm Senior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
801 Nile Kinnick Dr S
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4584
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4584
Grades: 9-12
| 651 students
Rank: #99.
Grant Ragan Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
645 Ne Dartmoor Drive
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-0435
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-0435
Grades: K-5
| 620 students
Rank: #1010.
Woodward-granger Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
306 W 3rd St
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-4263
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-4263
Grades: 6-8
| 208 students
Rank: #1111.
Woodward-granger High School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
306 W 3rd St
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-2115
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-2115
Grades: 9-12
| 260 students
Rank: #1212.
Prairieview School
Magnet School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
655 Se University Ave
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-2770
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-2770
Grades: 8-9
| 1,039 students
Rank: #1313.
Woodward-granger Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2002 Oak Street
Granger, IA 50109
(515) 999-2357
Granger, IA 50109
(515) 999-2357
Grades: 2-5
| 349 students
Rank: #1414.
Timberline School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2605 Se La Grant Parkway
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-9444
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-9444
Grades: 8-9
| 889 students
Rank: #1515.
South Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2350 Se La Grant Parkway
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-3222
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-3222
Grades: 6-7
| 909 students
Rank: #1616.
Dexter Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
803 Washington Street
Dexter, IA 50070
(515) 789-4480
Dexter, IA 50070
(515) 789-4480
Grades: 3-5
| 181 students
Rank: #1717.
Desoto Intermediate School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
317 Spruce St
De Soto, IA 50069
(515) 834-2424
De Soto, IA 50069
(515) 834-2424
Grades: 5-6
| 347 students
Rank: #1818.
Eason Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
605 Se Boone Dr
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5200
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5200
Grades: K-5
| 641 students
Rank: #1919.
Northwest High School
Magnet School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
655 Nw 10th St
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5161
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5161
Grades: 10-12
| 1,427 students
Rank: #2020.
West Central Valley Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1375 High St.
Redfield, IA 50233
(515) 833-2331
Redfield, IA 50233
(515) 833-2331
Grades: 6-8
| 184 students
Rank: #2121.
Waukee High School
Magnet School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
555 Se University Avenue
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5163
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5163
Grades: 10-12
| 1,268 students
Rank: #2222.
Perry Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1600 8th Street
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-5656
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-5656
Grades: PK-5
| 815 students
Rank: #2323.
Perry Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1200 18th Street
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-3531
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-3531
Grades: 6-8
| 367 students
Rank: #2424.
Perry High School
Magnet School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1200 18th Street
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-3503
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-3503
Grades: 9-12
| 564 students
Rank: #2525.
Woodward Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1251 334th St
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-3150
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-3150
Grades: 5-12
| 118 students
Rank: n/an/a
Adel Elementary School
Magnet School
1608 Grove St.
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4285
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4285
Grades: PK-1
| 393 students
Rank: n/an/a
Sugar Creek Elementary School
Magnet School
965 Ashworth Rd
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Grades: K-5
| 623 students
Rank: n/an/a
Vince Meyer Early Learning Center
Magnet School
430 Ashowrth Dr
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Grades: PK
| 371 students
Rank: n/an/a
Woodward-granger Early Learning Center
Magnet School
2200 State Street
Granger, IA 50109
(515) 999-8058
Granger, IA 50109
(515) 999-8058
Grades: PK-1
| 275 students
Dallas County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
801 Nile Kinnick Dr South
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-3490
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-3490
Grades: 8-9
| n/a students
618 5th St
Minburn, IA 50167
(515) 677-2222
Minburn, IA 50167
(515) 677-2222
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
Perry Alternative School (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
1200 18th St
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-2997
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-2997
Grades: 9-12
| 15 students
1104 Grant St Drawer B
Redfield, IA 50233
(515) 833-2331
Redfield, IA 50233
(515) 833-2331
Grades: PK-1
| 82 students
430 Ashowrth Dr
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Grades: PK
| 32 students
Woodward-granger Grandwood (Closed 2015)
Special Education School
1251 334th St
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-3240
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-3240
Grades: K-12
| 41 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Dallas County, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Dallas County, IA include Van Meter Elementary School, Van Meter Middle School and Van Meter High School. Dallas County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Iowa.
How many public schools are located in Dallas County?
29 public schools are located in Dallas County.
What percentage of students in Dallas County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Dallas County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Dallas County?
Dallas County public schools minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Dallas County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Dallas County include: South Middle School vs. Waukee Middle School, Perry Elementary School vs. Perry Middle School, Perry Middle School vs. Perry Elementary School
Recent Articles
How Does Bullying Affect a Student’s Academic Performance?
We explore the significant impact of bullying on students' academic performance, discussing statistics, research findings, and long-term effects. It provides valuable insights for educators and parents on recognizing bullying behaviors and implementing effective prevention strategies to create a safe learning environment.
Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
This comprehensive guide explores the increasing trend of legal prosecution for school fights, discussing recent incidents, age considerations, and the shift from traditional school punishments to law enforcement involvement. It provides valuable insights for parents, educators, and students about the evolving landscape of school discipline and safety measures.
Understanding Rubrics
This article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.