For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public elementary schools serving 3,269 students in Marion County, IA.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Marion County, IA are Jefferson Intermediate, Lincoln Elementary School and Madison Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Marion County, IA public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 70% (versus the Iowa public elementary school average of 66%), and reading proficiency score of 74% (versus the 69% statewide average). Elementary schools in Marion County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Iowa public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public elementary school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Marion County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Jefferson Intermediate
(Math: 80% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
801 E 13th St
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-8267
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-8267
Grades: 4-6
| 502 students
Rank: #22.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1111 North Main Street
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3970
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3970
Grades: PK-3
| 334 students
Rank: #33.
Madison Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
950 E. University St.
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-4638
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-4638
Grades: PK-3
| 486 students
Rank: #44.
Knoxville Middle School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
413 Willetts Dr
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-3315
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-3315
Grades: 6-8
| 324 students
Rank: #55.
Pleasantville Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
414 Jones St
Pleasantville, IA 50225
(515) 848-0566
Pleasantville, IA 50225
(515) 848-0566
Grades: PK-6
| 456 students
Rank: #66.
Melcher-dallas Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1003 E Park St
Melcher Dallas, IA 50062
(641) 947-3151
Melcher Dallas, IA 50062
(641) 947-3151
Grades: PK-6
| 156 students
Rank: #77.
Twin Cedars Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2204 Highway G71
Bussey, IA 50044
(641) 944-5245
Bussey, IA 50044
(641) 944-5245
Grades: PK-6
| 179 students
Rank: #88.
Northstar Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
407 W Larson
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-6527
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-6527
Grades: 3-5
| 342 students
Rank: n/an/a
306 S Park Lane Dr
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-2185
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-2185
Grades: PK-2
| 490 students
Marion County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
614 East Washington St
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-6541
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-6541
Grades: K-5
| n/a students
Goal Alternative School (Closed 2016)
Alternative School
614 E. Washington
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-4533
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-4533
Grades: 9-12
| 29 students
214 S. Main Street
Melcher Dallas, IA 50163
(641) 947-3731
Melcher Dallas, IA 50163
(641) 947-3731
Grades: 7-8
| 51 students
401 Main St
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-4638
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-4638
Grades: K-3
| 171 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Marion County, IA?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Marion County, IA include Jefferson Intermediate, Lincoln Elementary School and Madison Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Marion County?
9 public elementary schools are located in Marion County.
What is the racial composition of students in Marion County?
Marion County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public elementary schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Marion County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Marion County include: Madison Elementary School vs. Lincoln Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School vs. Madison Elementary School, West Elementary School vs. Pleasantville Elementary School
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.