For the 2025 school year, there are 30 public schools serving 16,773 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 78% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), 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 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Dallas County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Van Meter Elementary School
(Math: 91% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 571 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Van Meter Middle School
(Math: 88% | 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
Gr: 6-8 | 241 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Van Meter High School
(Math: 88% | 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
Gr: 9-12 | 305 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #44.
Waukee Elementary School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
850 6th St
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5193
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5193
Gr: K-5 | 713 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #55.
Adm Senior High School
(Math: 85% | 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
Gr: 9-12 | 682 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #66.
Meadow View Elementary 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
Gr: 2-4 | 523 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #77.
Adm Middle School
(Math: 82% | 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
Gr: 7-8 | 344 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #88.
Waukee Middle School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
905 S. Warrior Lane
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5177
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5177
Gr: 6-7 | 701 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #99.
Grant Ragan Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
645 Ne Dartmoor Drive
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-0435
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-0435
Gr: K-5 | 662 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1010.
Woodward-granger Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2002 Oak Street
Granger, IA 50109
(515) 999-2357
Granger, IA 50109
(515) 999-2357
Gr: 2-5 | 369 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1111.
Woodward-granger High 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
Gr: 9-12 | 266 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #1212.
Desoto Intermediate School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
317 Spruce St
De Soto, IA 50069
(515) 834-2424
De Soto, IA 50069
(515) 834-2424
Gr: 5-6 | 333 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1313.
Prairieview School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
655 Se University Ave
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-2770
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-2770
Gr: 8-9 | 1,078 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1414.
Woodward-granger Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
306 W 3rd St
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-4263
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-4263
Gr: 6-8 | 220 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #1515.
Northwest High School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
655 Nw 10th St
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5161
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5161
Gr: 10-12 | 1,524 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1616.
Timberline School
(Math: 74% | 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
Gr: 8-9 | 918 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1717.
Eason Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
605 Se Boone Dr
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5200
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5200
Gr: K-5 | 620 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1818.
South Middle School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2350 Se La Grant Parkway
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-3222
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-3222
Gr: 6-7 | 913 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Dexter Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
803 Washington Street
Dexter, IA 50070
(515) 789-4480
Dexter, IA 50070
(515) 789-4480
Gr: 3-5 | 181 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
West Central Valley Middle School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1375 High St.
Redfield, IA 50233
(515) 833-2331
Redfield, IA 50233
(515) 833-2331
Gr: 6-8 | 189 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #2121.
Waukee High School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
555 Se University Avenue
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5163
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5163
Gr: 10-12 | 1,345 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #2222.
Perry Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1600 8th Street
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-5656
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-5656
Gr: PK-5 | 869 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2323.
Perry High School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1200 18th Street
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-3503
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-3503
Gr: 9-12 | 589 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2424.
Perry Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1200 18th Street
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-3531
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-3531
Gr: 6-8 | 369 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #2525.
Woodward Academy
Alternative 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
Gr: 5-12 | 114 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: n/an/a
1608 Grove St.
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4285
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4285
Gr: PK-1 | 413 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: n/an/a
965 Ashworth Rd
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Gr: K-5 | 675 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: n/an/a
1455 Nw Douglas Parkway
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5161
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5161
Gr: 6-7 | 440 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 44:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: n/an/a
430 Ashowrth Dr
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Gr: PK | 342 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: n/an/a
2200 State Street
Granger, IA 50109
(515) 999-8058
Granger, IA 50109
(515) 999-8058
Gr: PK-1 | 264 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Dallas County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Perry Alternative School (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
1200 18th St
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-2997
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-2997
Gr: 9-12 | 15 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
1104 Grant St Drawer B
Redfield, IA 50233
(515) 833-2331
Redfield, IA 50233
(515) 833-2331
Gr: PK-1 | 82 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
430 Ashowrth Dr
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Gr: PK | 32 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Woodward-granger Grandwood (Closed 2015)
Special Education School
1251 334th St
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-3240
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-3240
Gr: K-12 | 41 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
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?
30 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 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (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, Adel Elementary School vs. Van Meter Elementary School, Perry Middle School vs. Perry Elementary School
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