For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 5,787 students in Des Moines County, IA (there are , serving 1,010 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Des Moines County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Des Moines County, IA are Mediapolis High School, West Burlington Elementary School and Mediapolis Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Des Moines County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 66% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Des Moines County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Des Moines County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Mediapolis High School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
725 N. Northfield
Mediapolis, IA 52637
(319) 394-3101
Mediapolis, IA 52637
(319) 394-3101
Grades: 9-12
| 318 students
Rank: #22.
West Burlington Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
545 Ramsey St
West Burlington, IA 52655
(319) 752-8747
West Burlington, IA 52655
(319) 752-8747
Grades: PK-5
| 437 students
Rank: #33.
Mediapolis Middle School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
725 N. Northfield
Mediapolis, IA 52637
(319) 394-3101
Mediapolis, IA 52637
(319) 394-3101
Grades: 6-8
| 225 students
Rank: #44.
Mediapolis Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
725 N. Northfield
Mediapolis, IA 52637
(319) 394-3101
Mediapolis, IA 52637
(319) 394-3101
Grades: PK-5
| 429 students
Rank: #55.
Danville Junior-senior High School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
419 South Main Street
Danville, IA 52623
(319) 392-4222
Danville, IA 52623
(319) 392-4222
Grades: 7-12
| 305 students
Rank: #66.
Danville Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
419 South Main Street
Danville, IA 52623
(319) 392-4221
Danville, IA 52623
(319) 392-4221
Grades: PK-6
| 377 students
Rank: #77.
West Burlington Arnold Jr./sr. High School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
408 W Van Weiss Blvd
West Burlington, IA 52655
(319) 752-8747
West Burlington, IA 52655
(319) 752-8747
Grades: 6-12
| 463 students
Rank: #88.
Sunnyside Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2040 Sunnyside Ave.
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5244
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5244
Grades: K-4
| 298 students
Rank: #99.
Black Hawk Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2804 S 14th St
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5300
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5300
Grades: K-4
| 290 students
Rank: #1010.
North Hill Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
825 N. 9th St.
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-6363
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-6363
Grades: K-4
| 237 students
Rank: #1111.
Aldo Leopold Intermediate School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3075 Sunnyside
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 752-8390
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 752-8390
Grades: 5-6
| 424 students
Rank: #1212.
James Wilson Grimes School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
800 South St.
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-0420
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-0420
Grades: K-4
| 247 students
Rank: #1313.
Burlington Community High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
421 Terrace Dr
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2211
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2211
Grades: 9-12
| 1,090 students
Rank: #1414.
Edward Stone Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3000 Mason Rd.
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 752-4393
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 752-4393
Grades: 7-8
| 471 students
Rank: n/an/a
700 South Starr Avenue
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2707
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2707
Grades: PK
| 176 students
Des Moines County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Burlington Alternative School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
349 Terrace Dr Ste 100
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2211
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2211
Grades: 9-12
| 147 students
700 South Starr St.
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2707
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-2707
Grades: PK-5
| 295 students
811 White St
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5161
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5161
Grades: 6-8
| 319 students
1621 Dodge St
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5810
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-5810
Grades: K-5
| 245 students
408 W Van Weiss Blvd
West Burlington, IA 52655
(319) 752-7138
West Burlington, IA 52655
(319) 752-7138
Grades: 6-8
| 249 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Des Moines County, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Des Moines County, IA include Mediapolis High School, West Burlington Elementary School and Mediapolis Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Des Moines County?
15 public schools are located in Des Moines County.
What percentage of students in Des Moines County go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Des Moines County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Des Moines County?
Des Moines County public schools minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Des Moines County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Des Moines County include: James Wilson Grimes School vs. Black Hawk Elementary School, Mediapolis Elementary School vs. Danville Elementary School, Edward Stone Middle School vs. Aldo Leopold Intermediate School
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