For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 1,548 students in Montgomery County, IA.
The top-ranked public schools in Montgomery County, IA are Stanton Elementary School, Stanton High School and Sylvia Enarson Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Montgomery County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 70% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 64% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Montgomery County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Montgomery County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Stanton Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
605 Elliott Street
Stanton, IA 51573
(712) 829-2171
Stanton, IA 51573
(712) 829-2171
Gr: K-5 | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Stanton High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
605 Elliott Street
Stanton, IA 51573
(712) 829-2162
Stanton, IA 51573
(712) 829-2162
Gr: 6-12 | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Sylvia Enarson Elementary School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
219 Central Avenue
Villisca, IA 50864
(712) 826-5982
Villisca, IA 50864
(712) 826-5982
Gr: PK-5 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #44.
Red Oak Junior/senior High School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2011 N 8th St
Red Oak, IA 51566
(712) 623-6610
Red Oak, IA 51566
(712) 623-6610
Gr: 7-12 | 420 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #55.
Red Oak Early Childhood Center
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 50-54% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 W. 2nd Street
Red Oak, IA 51566
(712) 623-6630
Red Oak, IA 51566
(712) 623-6630
Gr: PK | 51 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #66.
Southwest Valley Middle School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
406 East Third Street
Villisca, IA 50864
(712) 826-2552
Villisca, IA 50864
(712) 826-2552
Gr: 6-8 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #77.
Inman Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
900 Inman Drive
Red Oak, IA 51566
(712) 623-6635
Red Oak, IA 51566
(712) 623-6635
Gr: K-6 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Montgomery County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Montgomery County, IA include Stanton Elementary School, Stanton High School and Sylvia Enarson Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Montgomery County?
7 public schools are located in Montgomery County.
What is the racial composition of students in Montgomery County?
Montgomery County public schools minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Montgomery County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Montgomery County include: Red Oak Junior/senior High School vs. Southwest Valley Middle School, Red Oak Junior/senior High School vs. Stanton High School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.