For the 2026-27 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 4,507 students in Lee County, IA (there are 7 private schools, serving 1,010 private students). 82% of all K-12 students in Lee County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Lee County, IA are Central Lee Middle School, Central Lee High School and Hawthorne Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lee County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 64% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 64% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Lee County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 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 30% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Lee County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Central Lee Middle School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2642 Highway 218
Donnellson, IA 52625
(319) 835-9510
Donnellson, IA 52625
(319) 835-9510
Gr: 5-8 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #22.
Central Lee High School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2642 Highway 218
Donnellson, IA 52625
(319) 835-9510
Donnellson, IA 52625
(319) 835-9510
Gr: 9-12 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #33.
Hawthorne Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2940 Decatur St
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-3503
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-3503
Gr: 2-5 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #44.
Central Lee Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2642 Highway 218
Donnellson, IA 52625
(319) 835-9510
Donnellson, IA 52625
(319) 835-9510
Gr: PK-4 | 564 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #55.
George Washington Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
116 N 8th
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-1953
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-1953
Gr: K-1 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #66.
Fort Madison Junior/senior High School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2001 Ave B
Fort Madison, IA 52627
(319) 372-1862
Fort Madison, IA 52627
(319) 372-1862
Gr: 7-12 | 852 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #77.
Keokuk High School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2285 Middle Rd
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-2542
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-2542
Gr: 9-12 | 583 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #88.
Keokuk Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2002 Orleans Avenue
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-3737
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-3737
Gr: 6-8 | 381 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: n/an/a
502 48th Street
Fort Madison, IA 52627
(319) 372-7252
Fort Madison, IA 52627
(319) 372-7252
Gr: PK-6 | 932 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: n/an/a
1721 Fulton Street
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-1402
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-1402
Gr: PK | 80 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Lee County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Alternative School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
520 North 20th Street
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-0222
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-0222
Gr: 7-12 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
502 Academy Ave
Denmark, IA 52624
(319) 528-4337
Denmark, IA 52624
(319) 528-4337
Gr: K-5 | 158 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Fort Madison Alternative School (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
1602 Avenue F, Ste. 1
Fort Madison, IA 52627
(319) 372-8093
Fort Madison, IA 52627
(319) 372-8093
Gr: 9-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
1402 S 7th
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-2460
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-2460
Gr: 1-5 | 82 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
3301 Avenue L
Fort Madison, IA 52627
(319) 372-2765
Fort Madison, IA 52627
(319) 372-2765
Gr: PK-3 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
918 Timea St
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-2581
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-2581
Gr: 1-5 | 140 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Lee County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Lee County, IA include Central Lee Middle School, Central Lee High School and Hawthorne Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Lee County?
11 public schools are located in Lee County.
What percentage of students in Lee County go to public school?
82% of all K-12 students in Lee County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lee County?
Lee County public schools minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Lee County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Lee County include: Keokuk Middle School vs. Central Lee Middle School, Central Lee Middle School vs. Keokuk Middle School, Fort Madison Junior/senior High School vs. Central Lee High School
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