For the 2025 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 3,040 students in Hardin County, IA (there are 1 private school, serving 4 private students). 100% of all K-12 students in Hardin County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Hardin County, IA are Rock Run Elementary School, Hubbard-radcliffe Elementary School and Bcluw Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Hardin County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 64% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 72% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Hardin County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Hardin County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Rock Run Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
710 North St
Iowa Falls, IA 50126
(641) 648-6420
Iowa Falls, IA 50126
(641) 648-6420
Grades: 2-5
| 297 students
Rank: #22.
Hubbard-radcliffe Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
501 Isabella
Radcliffe, IA 50230
(515) 899-2111
Radcliffe, IA 50230
(515) 899-2111
Grades: PK-5
| 193 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Bcluw Middle School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
704 Commercial St
Union, IA 50258
(641) 486-5371
Union, IA 50258
(641) 486-5371
Grades: 5-8
| 133 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
South Hardin Middle School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
200 E. Chestnut
Hubbard, IA 50122
(641) 864-2211
Hubbard, IA 50122
(641) 864-2211
Grades: 6-8
| 194 students
Rank: #55.
Agwsr High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
918 4th Avenue
Ackley, IA 50601
(641) 847-2633
Ackley, IA 50601
(641) 847-2633
Grades: 9-12
| 192 students
Rank: #66.
South Hardin High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1800 24th St
Eldora, IA 50627
(641) 939-3421
Eldora, IA 50627
(641) 939-3421
Grades: 9-12
| 236 students
Rank: #77.
Riverbend Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1124 Union St.
Iowa Falls, IA 50126
(641) 648-6430
Iowa Falls, IA 50126
(641) 648-6430
Grades: 6-8
| 284 students
Rank: #88.
Eldora-new Providence Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1100 10th St
Eldora, IA 50627
(641) 939-9350
Eldora, IA 50627
(641) 939-9350
Grades: PK-5
| 248 students
Rank: #99.
Iowa Falls - Alden High School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1903 North Taylor
Iowa Falls, IA 50126
(641) 648-6440
Iowa Falls, IA 50126
(641) 648-6440
Grades: 9-12
| 420 students
Rank: #1010.
Alden Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
209 Center Street
Alden, IA 50006
(515) 859-3393
Alden, IA 50006
(515) 859-3393
Grades: PK-6
| 159 students
Rank: #1111.
Agwsr Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
918 4th Ave
Ackley, IA 50601
(641) 847-2611
Ackley, IA 50601
(641) 847-2611
Grades: K-5
| 204 students
Rank: n/an/a
Choice Charter School
Charter School
607 Center Street
Union, IA 50258
(515) 850-2545
Union, IA 50258
(515) 850-2545
Grades: 9-12
| 167 students
Rank: n/an/a
1510 Washington Ave
Iowa Falls, IA 50126
(641) 648-6410
Iowa Falls, IA 50126
(641) 648-6410
Grades: PK-1
| 278 students
Hardin County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
P.o. Box 48
Alden, IA 50006
(515) 859-3394
Alden, IA 50006
(515) 859-3394
Grades: 7-12
| 122 students
1100 12th Ave
Eldora, IA 50627
(641) 939-2599
Eldora, IA 50627
(641) 939-2599
Grades: 5-8
| 191 students
200 Chestnut Po Box 129
Hubbard, IA 50122
(641) 864-2211
Hubbard, IA 50122
(641) 864-2211
Grades: 9-12
| 162 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Hardin County, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Hardin County, IA include Rock Run Elementary School, Hubbard-radcliffe Elementary School and Bcluw Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Hardin County?
14 public schools are located in Hardin County.
What percentage of students in Hardin County go to public school?
100% of all K-12 students in Hardin County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Hardin County?
Hardin County public schools minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Hardin County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Hardin County include: Eldora-new Providence Elementary School vs. Hubbard-radcliffe Elementary School, Hubbard-radcliffe Elementary School vs. Eldora-new Providence Elementary School, Rock Run Elementary School vs. Alden 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.