For the 2025 school year, there are 5 public high schools serving 1,843 students in Marion County, IA.
The top ranked public high schools in Marion County, IA are Pella High School, Pleasantville High School and Knoxville High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Marion County, IA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 67% (versus the Iowa public high school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 78% (versus the 71% statewide average). High schools in Marion County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Iowa public high schools.
Marion County, IA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 93%, which is more than the Iowa average of 88%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Knoxville High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Iowa or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public high school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Marion County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Pella High School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
212 E University St
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3870
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3870
Grades: 9-12
| 791 students
Rank: #22.
Pleasantville High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
415 Jones St
Pleasantville, IA 50225
(515) 848-0541
Pleasantville, IA 50225
(515) 848-0541
Grades: 9-12
| 245 students
Rank: #33.
Knoxville High School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1811 W Madison
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-2173
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-2173
Grades: 9-12
| 503 students
Rank: #44.
Melcher-dallas High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
214 S Main
Melcher Dallas, IA 50163
(641) 947-3731
Melcher Dallas, IA 50163
(641) 947-3731
Grades: 7-12
| 145 students
Rank: #55.
Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2204 Highway G71
Bussey, IA 50044
(641) 944-5243
Bussey, IA 50044
(641) 944-5243
Grades: 7-12
| 159 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 high schools in Marion County, IA?
The top ranked public high schools in Marion County, IA include Pella High School, Pleasantville High School and Knoxville High School.
How many public high schools are located in Marion County?
5 public high schools are located in Marion County.
What is the racial composition of students in Marion County?
Marion County public high schools minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public high schools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Marion County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Marion County include: Melcher-dallas High School vs. Knoxville High School, Pleasantville High School vs. Knoxville High School, Knoxville High School vs. Melcher-dallas High 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.