For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 3,148 students in Madison County, IA.
The top ranked public schools in Madison County, IA are Winterset Junior High School, Earlham Elementary School and Interstate 35 Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Madison County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 70% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 71% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Madison County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Madison County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Winterset Junior High School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
720 Husky Dr
Winterset, IA 50273
(515) 462-3336
Winterset, IA 50273
(515) 462-3336
Grades: 7-8
| 232 students
Rank: #22.
Earlham Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
535 N Chestnut Ave
Earlham, IA 50072
(515) 758-2213
Earlham, IA 50072
(515) 758-2213
Grades: PK-5
| 316 students
Rank: #33.
Interstate 35 Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
405 E North Street
Truro, IA 50257
(641) 765-4818
Truro, IA 50257
(641) 765-4818
Grades: 5-8
| 228 students
Rank: #44.
Winterset Senior High School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
720 Husky Dr
Winterset, IA 50273
(515) 462-3320
Winterset, IA 50273
(515) 462-3320
Grades: 9-12
| 561 students
Rank: #55.
Earlham Senior High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
535 N Chestnut Ave
Earlham, IA 50072
(515) 758-2235
Earlham, IA 50072
(515) 758-2235
Grades: 9-12
| 208 students
Rank: #66.
Winterset Middle School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
706 West School Street
Winterset, IA 50273
(515) 462-3010
Winterset, IA 50273
(515) 462-3010
Grades: 4-6
| 373 students
Rank: #77.
Interstate 35 High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
405 E North St
Truro, IA 50257
(641) 765-4818
Truro, IA 50257
(641) 765-4818
Grades: 9-12
| 266 students
Rank: #88.
Interstate 35 Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
445 East North Street
Truro, IA 50257
(641) 765-4901
Truro, IA 50257
(641) 765-4901
Grades: PK-4
| 331 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Earlham Middle School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
535 N Chestnut Ave
Earlham, IA 50072
(515) 758-2214
Earlham, IA 50072
(515) 758-2214
Grades: 6-8
| 136 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Winterset Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
404 S 2nd Ave
Winterset, IA 50273
(515) 462-1551
Winterset, IA 50273
(515) 462-1551
Grades: PK-3
| 497 students
Madison County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
445 East North St
Truro, IA 50257
(641) 765-4901
Truro, IA 50257
(641) 765-4901
Grades: PK
| 43 students
405 East North St
Truro, IA 50257
(641) 765-4818
Truro, IA 50257
(641) 765-4818
Grades: 9-12
| 287 students
Winterset Bridges School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
624 Husky Dr
Winterset, IA 50273
(515) 462-3320
Winterset, IA 50273
(515) 462-3320
Grades: 9-12
| 20 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Madison County, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Madison County, IA include Winterset Junior High School, Earlham Elementary School and Interstate 35 Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Madison County?
10 public schools are located in Madison County.
What is the racial composition of students in Madison County?
Madison County public schools minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Madison County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Madison County include: Interstate 35 Elementary School vs. Winterset Elementary School, Winterset Elementary School vs. Interstate 35 Elementary School, Winterset Elementary School vs. Earlham 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.
