For the 2025 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 3,595 students in Buchanan County, IA (there are 3 private schools, serving 304 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Buchanan County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Buchanan County, IA are Jesup Elementary School, Fairbank Elementary School and Jesup Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Buchanan County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 70% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 73% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Buchanan County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 6% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Buchanan County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Jesup Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
531 Prospect
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Grades: PK-4
| 430 students
Rank: #22.
Fairbank Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
311 5th St N
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 635-2071
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 635-2071
Grades: PK-6
| 184 students
Rank: #33.
Jesup Middle School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
531 Prospect
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Grades: 5-8
| 243 students
Rank: #44.
Jesup High School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
531 Prospect
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Grades: 9-12
| 288 students
Rank: #55.
Rural Elementary School #2
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1198 Fairbank Amish Blvd
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 635-2071
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 635-2071
Grades: K-8
| 28 students
Rank: #66.
Independence Junior Senior High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
700 20th Ave Sw
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7405
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7405
Grades: 7-12
| 724 students
Rank: #77.
East Buchanan Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
414 5th St North
Winthrop, IA 50682
(319) 935-3660
Winthrop, IA 50682
(319) 935-3660
Grades: PK-6
| 316 students
Rank: #88.
Wapsie Valley High School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Rr 2 2535 Viking Ave
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 638-6711
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 638-6711
Grades: 7-12
| 293 students
Rank: #99.
Rural Elementary School #1
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1099 Amish Blvd
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 635-2071
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 635-2071
Grades: K-8
| 27 students
Rank: #1010.
West Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1301 1st St W
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7430
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7430
Grades: 3-6
| 371 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
East Buchanan High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
414 5th St North
Winthrop, IA 50682
(319) 935-3367
Winthrop, IA 50682
(319) 935-3367
Grades: 9-12
| 179 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
East Buchanan Middle School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
414 5th St North
Winthrop, IA 50682
(319) 935-3367
Winthrop, IA 50682
(319) 935-3367
Grades: 7-8
| 86 students
Rank: #1313.
Rural Elementary School #4
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1153 Denison Ave
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 635-2071
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 635-2071
Grades: K-8
| 18 students
Rank: #1414.
Prairie Grove Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1501 150th St
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Grades: K-8
| 22 students
Rank: #1515.
Triumph Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1348 145th St
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Grades: K-8
| 39 students
Rank: #1616.
Perry #1 Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1726 Fairbank Amish Blvd
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Grades: K-8
| 27 students
Rank: n/an/a
1011 1st St W
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-4780
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-4780
Grades: PK
| 39 students
Rank: n/an/a
1103 First Street West
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7425
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7425
Grades: K-2
| 281 students
Buchanan County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Buchanan County Success Center (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
2349 Jamestown Ave
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7440
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7440
Grades: 9-12
| 40 students
414 5th St North Po Box 40
Winthrop, IA 50682
(319) 935-3367
Winthrop, IA 50682
(319) 935-3367
Grades: 9-12
| 193 students
514 5th Ave Se
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7405
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7405
Grades: 7-8
| 174 students
1503 130th St
Hazleton, IA 50641
(319) 635-2071
Hazleton, IA 50641
(319) 635-2071
Grades: K-8
| 15 students
408 Rowley Street
Rowley, IA 52329
(319) 938-2284
Rowley, IA 52329
(319) 938-2284
Grades: K-5
| 85 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Buchanan County, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Buchanan County, IA include Jesup Elementary School, Fairbank Elementary School and Jesup Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Buchanan County?
18 public schools are located in Buchanan County.
What percentage of students in Buchanan County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Buchanan County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Buchanan County?
Buchanan County public schools minority enrollment is 6% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Buchanan County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Buchanan County include: Jesup Elementary School vs. Fairbank Elementary School
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