For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 5,787 students in Des Moines County, IA (there are 3 private schools, serving 1,010 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Des Moines County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Des Moines County, IA are Mediapolis High School, West Burlington Elementary School and Mediapolis Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Des Moines County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 66% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Des Moines County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Des Moines County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mediapolis High School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
725 N. Northfield
Mediapolis, IA 52637
(319) 394-3101
Mediapolis, IA 52637
(319) 394-3101
Gr: 9-12 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
West Burlington Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
545 Ramsey St
West Burlington, IA 52655
(319) 752-8747
West Burlington, IA 52655
(319) 752-8747
Gr: PK-5 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #33.
Mediapolis Middle School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
725 N. Northfield
Mediapolis, IA 52637
(319) 394-3101
Mediapolis, IA 52637
(319) 394-3101
Gr: 6-8 | 225 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #44.
Mediapolis Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
725 N. Northfield
Mediapolis, IA 52637
(319) 394-3101
Mediapolis, IA 52637
(319) 394-3101
Gr: PK-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Danville Junior-senior High School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
419 South Main Street
Danville, IA 52623
(319) 392-4222
Danville, IA 52623
(319) 392-4222
Gr: 7-12 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Danville Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
419 South Main Street
Danville, IA 52623
(319) 392-4221
Danville, IA 52623
(319) 392-4221
Gr: PK-6 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #77.
West Burlington Arnold Jr./sr. High School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
408 W Van Weiss Blvd
West Burlington, IA 52655
(319) 752-8747
West Burlington, IA 52655
(319) 752-8747
Gr: 6-12 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #88.
Sunnyside Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2040 Sunnyside Ave.
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5244
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5244
Gr: K-4 | 298 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #99.
Black Hawk Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2804 S 14th St
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5300
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5300
Gr: K-4 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1010.
North Hill Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
825 N. 9th St.
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-6363
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-6363
Gr: K-4 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1111.
Aldo Leopold Intermediate School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3075 Sunnyside
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 752-8390
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 752-8390
Gr: 5-6 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1212.
James Wilson Grimes School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
800 South St.
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-0420
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-0420
Gr: K-4 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1313.
Burlington Community High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
421 Terrace Dr
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2211
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2211
Gr: 9-12 | 1,090 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1414.
Edward Stone Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3000 Mason Rd.
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 752-4393
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 752-4393
Gr: 7-8 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: n/an/a
700 South Starr Avenue
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2707
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2707
Gr: PK | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Des Moines County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Burlington Alternative School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
349 Terrace Dr Ste 100
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2211
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2211
Gr: 9-12 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 37:1
700 South Starr St.
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2707
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2707
Gr: PK-5 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
811 White St
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5161
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5161
Gr: 6-8 | 319 students Minority enrollment: 29%
1621 Dodge St
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5810
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5810
Gr: K-5 | 245 students Minority enrollment: 16%
408 W Van Weiss Blvd
West Burlington, IA 52655
(319) 752-7138
West Burlington, IA 52655
(319) 752-7138
Gr: 6-8 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Des Moines County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Des Moines County, IA include Mediapolis High School, West Burlington Elementary School and Mediapolis Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Des Moines County?
15 public schools are located in Des Moines County.
What percentage of students in Des Moines County go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Des Moines County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Des Moines County?
Des Moines County public schools minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Des Moines County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Des Moines County include: James Wilson Grimes School vs. Black Hawk Elementary School, Black Hawk Elementary School vs. James Wilson Grimes School, Mediapolis Elementary School vs. Danville Elementary School
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