For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 4,629 students in Buena Vista County, IA (there are 1 private school, serving 310 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Buena Vista County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Buena Vista County, IA are Sioux Central Middle School, Sioux Central Elementary School and Alta Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Buena Vista County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 60% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Buena Vista County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Buena Vista County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Sioux Central Middle School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4440 U.s. Hwy 71
Sioux Rapids, IA 50585
(712) 283-2571
Sioux Rapids, IA 50585
(712) 283-2571
Grades: 6-8
| 145 students
Rank: #22.
Sioux Central Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4440 U.s. Hwy 71
Sioux Rapids, IA 50585
(712) 283-2571
Sioux Rapids, IA 50585
(712) 283-2571
Grades: PK-5
| 234 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Alta Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1009 Main St
Alta, IA 51002
(712) 200-1400
Alta, IA 51002
(712) 200-1400
Grades: PK-4
| 267 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Newell-fonda Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
205 Clark St
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3324
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3324
Grades: PK-5
| 287 students
Rank: #55.
Albert City-truesdale Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
300 Orchard
Albert City, IA 50510
(712) 843-5416
Albert City, IA 50510
(712) 843-5416
Grades: PK-6
| 104 students
Rank: #66.
Alta-aurelia High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1009 South Main Street
Alta, IA 51002
(712) 200-1331
Alta, IA 51002
(712) 200-1331
Grades: 9-12
| 199 students
Rank: #77.
Sioux Central High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4440 U.s. Hwy 71
Sioux Rapids, IA 50585
(712) 283-2571
Sioux Rapids, IA 50585
(712) 283-2571
Grades: 9-12
| 260 students
Rank: #88.
Newell-fonda Middle School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
205 Clark St
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3324
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3324
Grades: 6-8
| 130 students
Rank: #99.
Newell-fonda High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
205 Clark St
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3325
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3325
Grades: 9-12
| 139 students
Rank: #1010.
Storm Lake Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1811 Hyland Drive
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8080
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8080
Grades: 5-8
| 843 students
Rank: #1111.
Storm Lake High School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
621 Tornado Dr
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8065
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8065
Grades: 9-12
| 805 students
Rank: #1212.
Storm Lake Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1810 Hyland Drive
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8074
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8074
Grades: 1-4
| 807 students
Rank: n/an/a
930 E 5th
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8076
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8076
Grades: PK
| 110 students
Rank: n/an/a
St. Lake/ia Cntrl/buena Vista Early College High School
Charter School
621 Tornado Dr
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8065
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8065
Grades: 12
| 52 students
Rank: n/an/a
5950 90th Avenue
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 213-2110
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 213-2110
Grades: K
| 247 students
Buena Vista County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Box 98
Albert City, IA 50510
(712) 843-5416
Albert City, IA 50510
(712) 843-5416
Grades: 6-12
| 120 students
1009 Main St
Alta, IA 51002
(712) 200-1401
Alta, IA 51002
(712) 200-1401
Grades: 5-8
| 136 students
Buffalo Ridge Charter School (Closed 2009)
Charter School
4440 U.s. Hwy 71
Sioux Rapids, IA 50585
(712) 283-2571
Sioux Rapids, IA 50585
(712) 283-2571
Grades: 1-6
| n/a students
205 Clark St Po Box 297
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3324
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3324
Grades: PK-K
| 6 students
205 Clark St, 205 Clark St
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3324
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3324
Grades: 4-5
| 79 students
301 E 7th
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8072
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8072
Grades: 2-4
| 122 students
310 Cayuga
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8069
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8069
Grades: PK-4
| 254 students
Storm Lake Alternative School (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
621 Tornado Dr
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 749-5180
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 749-5180
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
1001 W 6th St
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8074
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8074
Grades: K-4
| 202 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Buena Vista County, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Buena Vista County, IA include Sioux Central Middle School, Sioux Central Elementary School and Alta Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Buena Vista County?
15 public schools are located in Buena Vista County.
What percentage of students in Buena Vista County go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Buena Vista County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Buena Vista County?
Buena Vista County public schools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Buena Vista County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Buena Vista County include: Alta-aurelia High School vs. Sioux Central High School, Newell-fonda High School vs. Sioux Central High School, Storm Lake Elementary School vs. Storm Lake Middle School
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