For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 10,425 students in Warren County, IA (there are 3 private schools, serving 70 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Warren County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Warren County, IA are Irving Elementary School, Martensdale Elementary School and Lakewood Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Warren County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 74% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 74% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Warren County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Warren County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Irving Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
500 W Clinton
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9560
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9560
Gr: K-5 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Martensdale Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
390 Burlington
Martensdale, IA 50160
(641) 764-2621
Martensdale, IA 50160
(641) 764-2621
Gr: PK-6 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Lakewood Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
9210 Happy Hollow Dr
Norwalk, IA 50211
(515) 981-1850
Norwalk, IA 50211
(515) 981-1850
Gr: 4-5 | 554 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #44.
Norwalk Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
200 Cherry Street
Norwalk, IA 50211
(515) 981-0435
Norwalk, IA 50211
(515) 981-0435
Gr: 6-8 | 824 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #55.
Orchard Hills Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1130 W North Avenue
Norwalk, IA 50211
(515) 981-1855
Norwalk, IA 50211
(515) 981-1855
Gr: 2-3 | 558 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #66.
Indianola Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
403 S 15th St
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9530
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9530
Gr: 6-8 | 818 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #77.
Hartford Upper Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 N. Vine
Carlisle, IA 50047
(515) 989-0316
Carlisle, IA 50047
(515) 989-0316
Gr: 4-5 | 303 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #88.
Wilder Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2303 W Euclid
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9540
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9540
Gr: K-5 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #99.
Norwalk Senior High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1201 North Ave
Norwalk, IA 50211
(515) 981-4201
Norwalk, IA 50211
(515) 981-4201
Gr: 9-12 | 1,035 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1010.
Southeast Warren Primary
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
316 N 5th
Milo, IA 50166
(641) 942-6216
Milo, IA 50166
(641) 942-6216
Gr: PK-4 | 162 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1111.
Emerson Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1109 E Euclid
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9550
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9550
Gr: K-5 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Carlisle Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
430 School St
Carlisle, IA 50047
(515) 989-0339
Carlisle, IA 50047
(515) 989-0339
Gr: PK-3 | 715 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Whittier Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1306 W Salem
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9570
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9570
Gr: PK-5 | 369 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1414.
Indianola High School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1304 E 1st
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9510
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9510
Gr: 9-12 | 1,165 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1515.
Carlisle Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
325 Scotchridge Rd
Carlisle, IA 50047
(515) 989-0833
Carlisle, IA 50047
(515) 989-0833
Gr: 6-8 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1616.
Southeast Warren Jr-sr High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
16331 Tyler St
Liberty Center, IA 50145
(641) 466-3331
Liberty Center, IA 50145
(641) 466-3331
Gr: 5-12 | 276 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1717.
Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
390 Burlington
Martensdale, IA 50160
(641) 764-2486
Martensdale, IA 50160
(641) 764-2486
Gr: 7-12 | 225 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1818.
Carlisle High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
430 School St
Carlisle, IA 50047
(515) 989-0831
Carlisle, IA 50047
(515) 989-0831
Gr: 9-12 | 754 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: n/an/a
713 School Avenue
Norwalk, IA 50211
(515) 981-1005
Norwalk, IA 50211
(515) 981-1005
Gr: PK-1 | 548 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Warren County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Warren County, IA include Irving Elementary School, Martensdale Elementary School and Lakewood Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Warren County?
20 public schools are located in Warren County.
What percentage of students in Warren County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Warren County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Warren County?
Warren County public schools minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Warren County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Warren County include: Emerson Elementary School vs. Irving Elementary School, Carlisle Middle School vs. Carlisle Elementary School, Wilder Elementary School vs. Whittier Elementary School
Recent Articles
Phone Bans Are Expanding: Will They Actually Help Your Child?
Phone bans are spreading in public schools nationwide. Learn how to evaluate whether a school's cellphone policy will improve your child's learning and well-being.
Should You Move for a Better Public School or Stay Put?
Considering a move to a higher-rated public school? Learn how to weigh school quality, housing costs, and family priorities before relocating.
How to Compare Public School Value Beyond Test Scores
Learn how to evaluate public school value using student support, school climate, opportunities, and outcomes, not just standardized test scores.
