For the 2024 school year, there are 140 public schools serving 85,025 students in Polk County, IA (there are 31 private schools, serving 7,870 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Polk County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Polk County, IA are Mitchellville Elementary School, North Ridge Elementary School and North Polk High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Polk County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 64% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 66% (versus the 68% statewide average). Schools in Polk County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Polk County (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Mitchellville Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
308 Elm Ave Nw
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Grades: PK-5
| 227 students
Rank: #22.
North Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
400 Nw 27th St
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-5674
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-5674
Grades: K-4
| 425 students
Rank: #33.
North Polk High School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
13930 Ne 6th St
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Grades: 9-12
| 597 students
Rank: #44.
Shuler Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
16400 Douglas Parkway
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 987-8597
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 987-8597
Grades: K-5
| 707 students
Rank: #55.
Prairie Trail Elementary School
(Math: 95% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1850 Sw College Ave
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9605
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9605
Grades: K-5
| 571 students
Rank: #66.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1705 Ne Trilein
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9620
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9620
Grades: K-5
| 672 students
Rank: #77.
North Polk Middle School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
315 Ne 141st Ave.
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Grades: 6-8
| 431 students
Rank: #88.
North Polk West Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1400 W Broadway
Polk City, IA 50226
(515) 984-3400
Polk City, IA 50226
(515) 984-3400
Grades: PK-4
| 629 students
Rank: #99.
Henry A Wallace Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
6207 Nw 62nd Ave
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6977
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6977
Grades: PK-5
| 867 students
Rank: #1010.
Webster Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
12955 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Grades: PK-5
| 502 students
Rank: #1111.
Walnut Hills Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4240 156th St
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 987-3585
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 987-3585
Grades: K-5
| 642 students
Rank: #1212.
Northview Middle School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1302 N Ankeny Blvd
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9700
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9700
Grades: 8-9
| 1,004 students
Rank: #1313.
Dc-g Oak View
(Math: 77% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1300 Sw County Line Rd
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-0105
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-0105
Grades: 7-8
| 523 students
Rank: #1414.
Ashland Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2600 Nw Ash Drive
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9594
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9594
Grades: K-5
| 736 students
Rank: #1515.
Cowles Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6401 College Ave
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 242-7818
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 242-7818
Grades: PK-8
| 380 students
Rank: #1616.
Prairie Ridge Middle School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1010 Nw Prairie Ridge Dr
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9705
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9705
Grades: 6-7
| 1,028 students
Rank: #1717.
Ankeny Centennial High School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2220 Nw State St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9610
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9610
Grades: 10-12
| 1,419 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Rock Creek Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3800 Nw Abilene Rd
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9629
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9629
Grades: K-5
| 741 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Southview Middle School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1020 Sw Cherry St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9635
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9635
Grades: 8-9
| 910 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Heritage Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
500 Ne Beaverbrooke Blvd
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 300-9627
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 300-9627
Grades: PK-4
| 534 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Runnells Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6575 Se 116th Street
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Grades: PK-5
| 290 students
Rank: #2222.
Johnston Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6501 Nw 62nd Ave
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-0476
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-0476
Grades: 8-9
| 1,120 students
Rank: #2323.
Ankeny High School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1155 Sw Cherry St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9630
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9630
Grades: 10-12
| 1,330 students
Rank: #2424.
Maple Grove Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1455 98th St
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-3363
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-3363
Grades: K-5
| 687 students
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Delaware Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4401 E 46th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 262-3197
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 262-3197
Grades: PK-5
| 416 students
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Westwood Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2920 Nw 9th
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9690
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9690
Grades: K-5
| 658 students
Rank: #2727.
Dallas Center-grimes Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1400 Vine Street
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 992-4343
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 992-4343
Grades: 5-6
| 563 students
Rank: #2828.
Crocker Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2910 Sw Applewood St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9710
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9710
Grades: K-5
| 491 students
Rank: #2929.
Parkview Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
105 Nw Pleasant St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9640
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9640
Grades: 6-7
| 865 students
Rank: #3030.
Spring Creek - 6th Grade
(Math: 79% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8031 Ne University Ave.
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-5533
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
(515) 967-5533
Grades: 6
| 569 students
Rank: #3131.
Summit Middle School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9500 Windsor Parkway
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Grades: 6-7
| 1,121 students
Rank: #3232.
Westridge Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5500 E P True Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-5400
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 633-5400
Grades: PK-6
| 753 students
Rank: #3333.
Beaver Creek Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8701 Lyndhurst
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6228
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6228
Grades: K-5
| 547 students
Rank: #3434.
Dallas Center-grimes High School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2555 W 1st St
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grades: 9-12
| 947 students
Rank: #3535.
Brookview Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8000 E.p. True Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-5166
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-5166
Grades: K-5
| 590 students
Show 100 more public schools in Polk County, IA (out of 140 total schools)
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Polk County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
3720 E 29th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Grades: PK-5
| 337 students
Bridges (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
1800 Grand
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Grades: 6-12
| 25 students
1801 16th St
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Grades: PK
| 99 students
1020 8th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6300
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6300
Grades: K-6
| 259 students
3353 240th Street
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grades: 9-12
| 458 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 7-12
| 2 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
Des Moines Public Charter School (Closed 2013)
Charter School
620 8th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7911
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7911
Grades: 7-9
| 117 students
918 Se 11th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Grades: PK-K
| 15 students
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Grades: K-5
| 10 students
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Grades: 6-8
| 21 students
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 6-12
| 118 students
1000 Porter Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Grades: PK-5
| 547 students
The Harbor-southeast Polk Alternative School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
1301 First Ave N
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 957-8811
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 957-8811
Grades: 9-12
| 57 students
800 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Grades: K-5
| 309 students
6301 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Grades: K-5
| 354 students
2115 E 39th Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Grades: PK-5
| 207 students
1001 Amos Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7588
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7588
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Metro West Learning Academy (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
11500 Nw 54th Ave
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-3171
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-3171
Grades: 9-12
| 18 students
2905 Ne 46th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Grades: 4-5
| 198 students
925 Sw Porter
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Grades: K-5
| 11 students
Orchard Place School (Closed 2021)
Alternative School
5412 Sw 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Grades: K-12
| 66 students
415 7th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6600
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6600
Grades: PK-3
| 180 students
Ruby Van Meter School (Closed 2021)
Special Education School
710 28th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Grades: 6-12
| 135 students
Scavo Alternative High School (Closed 2021)
Alternative School
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7589
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7589
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Smouse Opportunity School (Closed 2021)
Special Education School
2820 Center St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8210
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8210
Grades: PK-8
| 94 students
310 Nw School St
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9670
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9670
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
1401 E 12th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Grades: PK-5
| 368 students
Youth Homes Of Middle America (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
7085 Nw Beaver Dr
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 276-3473
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 276-3473
Grades: 6-12
| 30 students
1101 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Grades: PK-K
| 18 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Polk County, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Polk County, IA include Mitchellville Elementary School, North Ridge Elementary School and North Polk High School.
How many public schools are located in Polk County, IA?
140 public schools are located in Polk County, IA.
What percentage of students in Polk County, IA go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Polk County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County, IA?
Polk County, IA public schools minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
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