For the 2026-27 school year, there are 6 public elementary schools serving 957 students in Palo Alto County, IA.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Palo Alto County, IA are West Bend-mallard Elementary School, West Bend-mallard Middle School and West Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Palo Alto County, IA public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 71% (versus the Iowa public elementary school average of 70%), and reading proficiency score of 75% (versus the 69% statewide average). Elementary schools in Palo Alto County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Iowa public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public elementary school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Palo Alto County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
West Bend-mallard Elementary School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
300 3rd Ave Sw
Mallard, IA 50562
(515) 887-7821
Mallard, IA 50562
(515) 887-7821
Gr: PK-4 | 173 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
West Bend-mallard Middle School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
300 3rd Ave. Sw
West Bend, IA 50597
(515) 887-7831
West Bend, IA 50597
(515) 887-7831
Gr: 5-8 | 132 students Student-teacher ratio: 33:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #33.
West Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
602 Call St
Emmetsburg, IA 50536
(712) 852-4485
Emmetsburg, IA 50536
(712) 852-4485
Gr: PK-4 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 42:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
Emmetsburg Middle School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
205 King Street
Emmetsburg, IA 50536
(712) 852-2892
Emmetsburg, IA 50536
(712) 852-2892
Gr: 5-8 | 199 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #55.
Graettinger-terril Middle School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
205 S Lincoln Ave
Graettinger, IA 51342
(712) 859-3286
Graettinger, IA 51342
(712) 859-3286
Gr: 6-8 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #66.
Ruthven-ayrshire Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1505 Washington St
Ruthven, IA 51358
(712) 837-5211
Ruthven, IA 51358
(712) 837-5211
Gr: PK-6 | 89 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Palo Alto County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Po Box 58
Graettinger, IA 51342
(712) 859-3286
Graettinger, IA 51342
(712) 859-3286
Gr: 6-8 | 54 students
300 3rd Ave Sw
West Bend, IA 50597
(515) 887-7821
West Bend, IA 50597
(515) 887-7821
Gr: PK-2 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Palo Alto County, IA?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Palo Alto County, IA include West Bend-mallard Elementary School, West Bend-mallard Middle School and West Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Palo Alto County?
6 public elementary schools are located in Palo Alto County.
What is the racial composition of students in Palo Alto County?
Palo Alto County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public elementary schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.