For the 2025 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 2,239 students in Denison, IA (there are 2 private schools, serving 256 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Denison, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Denison, IA are Denison Middle School, Broadway Elementary School and Denison High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Denison, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 66% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 70% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Denison have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Denison, IA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Denison Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1201 North 16th Street
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-9393
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-9393
Grades: 6-8
| 490 students
Rank: #22.
Broadway Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1515 Broadway
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-3103
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-3103
Grades: 4-5
| 278 students
Rank: #33.
Denison High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
819 N 16th St
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-3101
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-3101
Grades: 9-12
| 773 students
Rank: #44.
Denison Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
38 N 20th St
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-3104
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 263-3104
Grades: PK-3
| 698 students
Denison, Iowa Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Denison Alternative High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
Highway 30 E
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 265-2349
Denison, IA 51442
(712) 265-2349
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Denison, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Denison, IA include Denison Middle School, Broadway Elementary School and Denison High School.
How many public schools are located in Denison?
4 public schools are located in Denison.
What percentage of students in Denison go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Denison are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Denison?
Denison public schools minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Denison are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Denison include: Broadway Elementary School vs. Denison Elementary School, Denison Elementary School vs. Broadway Elementary School
Recent Articles

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.

What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.