For the 2025 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 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Winnebago County, IA are Lake Mills Elementary School, Forest City Middle School and Lake Mills Senior High School. 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 70% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), 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 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Winnebago County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Lake Mills Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
102 S 4th Ave E
Lake Mills, IA 50450
(641) 592-1882
Lake Mills, IA 50450
(641) 592-1882
Grades: PK-5
| 316 students
Rank: #22.
Forest City Middle School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
216 W School St
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-4772
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-4772
Grades: 5-8
| 319 students
Rank: #33.
Lake Mills Senior High School
(Math: 70-74% | 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
Grades: 9-12
| 213 students
Rank: #44.
Forest City High School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
206 W School St
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-2324
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-2324
Grades: 9-12
| 333 students
Rank: #55.
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
111 3rd Ave Nw
Buffalo Center, IA 50424
(641) 562-2525
Buffalo Center, IA 50424
(641) 562-2525
Grades: PK-5
| 231 students
Rank: #66.
Forest City Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1405 W I St
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-2670
Forest City, IA 50436
(641) 585-2670
Grades: PK-4
| 462 students
Rank: #77.
Lake Mills Middle School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
102 S 4th Ave E
Lake Mills, IA 50450
(641) 592-0894
Lake Mills, IA 50450
(641) 592-0894
Grades: 6-8
| 141 students
Rank: #88.
North Iowa Middle 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
Grades: 6-8
| 100 students
Rank: #99.
North Iowa High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
111 3rd Ave Nw
Buffalo Center, IA 50424
(641) 562-2525
Buffalo Center, IA 50424
(641) 562-2525
Grades: 9-12
| 134 students
Winnebago County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 15 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 3 students
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 Middle School and Lake Mills Senior High School.
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 91%).
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 29% (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, North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center vs. Forest City Elementary School, Forest City Elementary School vs. Lake Mills Elementary 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.