For the 2026-27 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 2,249 students in Winnebago County, IA (there are 1 private school, serving 25 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Winnebago County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Winnebago County, IA are Lake Mills Elementary School, Forest City Elementary School and North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Winnebago County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 76% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 77% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Winnebago County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Winnebago County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lake Mills Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
102 S 4th Ave E
Lake Mills, IA 50450
(641) 592-1882
Lake Mills, IA 50450
(641) 592-1882
Gr: PK-5 | 303 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Forest City Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1405 W I St
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-2670
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-2670
Gr: PK-4 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
111 3rd Ave Nw
Buffalo Center, IA 50424
(641) 562-2525
Buffalo Center, IA 50424
(641) 562-2525
Gr: PK-5 | 227 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #44.
Lake Mills Senior High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
102 S 4th Ave E
Lake Mills, IA 50450
(641) 592-0893
Lake Mills, IA 50450
(641) 592-0893
Gr: 9-12 | 193 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #55.
Forest City Middle School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
216 W School St
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-4772
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-4772
Gr: 5-8 | 330 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #66.
Lake Mills Middle School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
102 S 4th Ave E
Lake Mills, IA 50450
(641) 592-0894
Lake Mills, IA 50450
(641) 592-0894
Gr: 6-8 | 146 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #77.
Forest City High School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
206 W School St
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-2324
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-2324
Gr: 9-12 | 304 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #88.
North Iowa Middle School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
111 3rd Ave Nw
Buffalo Center, IA 50424
(641) 562-2525
Buffalo Center, IA 50424
(641) 562-2525
Gr: 6-8 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #99.
North Iowa High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
111 3rd Ave Nw
Buffalo Center, IA 50424
(641) 562-2525
Buffalo Center, IA 50424
(641) 562-2525
Gr: 9-12 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Winnebago County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Forest City Alternative School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
145 South Clark St
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-2324
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-2324
Gr: 9-12 | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
North Iowa Alternative High School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
116 Jackson St S
Thompson, IA 50478
(641) 584-2100
Thompson, IA 50478
(641) 584-2100
Gr: 9-12 | 3 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Winnebago County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Winnebago County, IA include Lake Mills Elementary School, Forest City Elementary School and North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center.
How many public schools are located in Winnebago County?
9 public schools are located in Winnebago County.
What percentage of students in Winnebago County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Winnebago County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Winnebago County?
Winnebago County public schools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Winnebago County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Winnebago County include: Forest City Elementary School vs. North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center, Lake Mills Elementary School vs. North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center, North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center vs. Forest City Elementary School
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