For the 2025-26 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, Alta Elementary School and Sioux Central 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 54% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), 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 (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sioux Central Middle School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
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
Gr: 6-8 | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #22.
Alta Elementary School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1009 Main St
Alta, IA 51002
(712) 200-1400
Alta, IA 51002
(712) 200-1400
Gr: PK-4 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #33.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 234 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #44.
Sioux Central High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4440 U.s. Hwy 71
Sioux Rapids, IA 50585
(712) 283-2571
Sioux Rapids, IA 50585
(712) 283-2571
Gr: 9-12 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #55.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #66.
Alta-aurelia High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1009 South Main Street
Alta, IA 51002
(712) 200-1331
Alta, IA 51002
(712) 200-1331
Gr: 9-12 | 199 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #77.
Albert City-truesdale Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
300 Orchard
Albert City, IA 50510
(712) 843-5416
Albert City, IA 50510
(712) 843-5416
Gr: PK-6 | 104 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #88.
Newell-fonda Middle School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
205 Clark St
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3324
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3324
Gr: 6-8 | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #99.
Newell-fonda High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
205 Clark St
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3325
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3325
Gr: 9-12 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
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
Gr: 5-8 | 843 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1111.
Storm Lake High School
(Math: 48% | 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
Gr: 9-12 | 805 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
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
Gr: 1-4 | 807 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: n/an/a
930 E 5th
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8076
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8076
Gr: PK | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
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
Gr: 12 | 52 students Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: n/an/a
5950 90th Avenue
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 213-2110
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 213-2110
Gr: K | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Buena Vista County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Box 98
Albert City, IA 50510
(712) 843-5416
Albert City, IA 50510
(712) 843-5416
Gr: 6-12 | 120 students Minority enrollment: 3%
1009 Main St
Alta, IA 51002
(712) 200-1401
Alta, IA 51002
(712) 200-1401
Gr: 5-8 | 136 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
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
Gr: 1-6
205 Clark St Po Box 297
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3324
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3324
Gr: PK-K | 6 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
205 Clark St, 205 Clark St
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3324
Newell, IA 50568
(712) 272-3324
Gr: 4-5 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
301 E 7th
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8072
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8072
Gr: 2-4 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
310 Cayuga
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8069
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8069
Gr: PK-4 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
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
Gr: 9-12
1001 W 6th St
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8074
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8074
Gr: K-4 | 202 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
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, Alta Elementary School and Sioux Central 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 Middle School vs. Storm Lake Elementary School
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