For the 2026-27 school year, there are 8 public schools serving 2,112 students in Cherokee County, IA.
The top-ranked public schools in Cherokee County, IA are Washington High School, Mmcru Marcus Elementary School and Alta-aurelia Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cherokee County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 74% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 73% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Cherokee County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Cherokee County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Washington High School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
600 W Bluff St
Cherokee, IA 51012
(712) 225-6755
Cherokee, IA 51012
(712) 225-6755
Gr: 9-12 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #22.
Mmcru Marcus Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
500 E Fenton St
Marcus, IA 51035
(712) 376-2615
Marcus, IA 51035
(712) 376-2615
Gr: PK-4 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
Alta-aurelia Middle School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
300 Ash St
Aurelia, IA 51005
(712) 434-5595
Aurelia, IA 51005
(712) 434-5595
Gr: 5-8 | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #44.
Aurelia Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
300 Ash St
Aurelia, IA 51005
(712) 434-5595
Aurelia, IA 51005
(712) 434-5595
Gr: PK-4 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #55.
Cherokee Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
204 E. Indian Street
Cherokee, IA 51012
(712) 225-6760
Cherokee, IA 51012
(712) 225-6760
Gr: PK-4 | 468 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #66.
Mmcru High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
400 Highland Drive
Marcus, IA 51035
(712) 376-4172
Marcus, IA 51035
(712) 376-4172
Gr: 9-12 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #77.
River Valley Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 South 5th St
Washta, IA 51061
(712) 447-6318
Washta, IA 51061
(712) 447-6318
Gr: PK-5 | 154 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #88.
Cherokee Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
206 E. Indian Street
Cherokee, IA 51012
(712) 225-6750
Cherokee, IA 51012
(712) 225-6750
Gr: 5-8 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Cherokee County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
300 Ash St
Aurelia, IA 51005
(712) 434-5595
Aurelia, IA 51005
(712) 434-5595
Gr: 9-12 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
400 N Roosevelt
Cherokee, IA 51012
(712) 225-6774
Cherokee, IA 51012
(712) 225-6774
Gr: PK | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
Little Sioux Success Center (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
600 West Bluff St
Cherokee, IA 51012
(712) 225-6755
Cherokee, IA 51012
(712) 225-6755
Gr: 11-12 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
200 Campbell St., 200 Campbell
Cleghorn, IA 51014
(712) 436-2244
Cleghorn, IA 51014
(712) 436-2244
Gr: 4-6 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
500 E Fenton St, 500 E Fenton
Marcus, IA 51035
(712) 376-2615
Marcus, IA 51035
(712) 376-2615
Gr: PK-3 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Cherokee County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Cherokee County, IA include Washington High School, Mmcru Marcus Elementary School and Alta-aurelia Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Cherokee County?
8 public schools are located in Cherokee County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cherokee County?
Cherokee County public schools minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
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