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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Buchanan County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 3,595 students in Buchanan County, IA (there are 3 private schools, serving 337 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Buchanan County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Buchanan County, IA are Jesup Elementary School, Jesup Middle School and Fairbank Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Buchanan County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 75% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 73% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Buchanan County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 6% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Buchanan County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Jesup Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
531 Prospect
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Gr: PK-4 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #22.
Jesup Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
531 Prospect
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Gr: 5-8 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #33.
Fairbank Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
311 5th St N
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 635-2071
Gr: PK-6 | 187 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
Jesup High School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
531 Prospect
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Gr: 9-12 | 269 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #55.
Independence Junior Senior High School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
700 20th Ave Sw
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7405
Gr: 7-12 | 712 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
East Buchanan Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
414 5th St North
Winthrop, IA 50682
(319) 935-3660
Gr: PK-6 | 303 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #77.
Wapsie Valley High School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
Rr 2 2535 Viking Ave
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 638-6711
Gr: 7-12 | 273 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #88.
West Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1301 1st St W
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7430
Gr: 3-6 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #99.
East Buchanan Middle School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
414 5th St North
Winthrop, IA 50682
(319) 935-3367
Gr: 7-8 | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #1010.
Rural Elementary School #1
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1099 Amish Blvd
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 635-2071
Gr: K-8 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #1111.
East Buchanan High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
414 5th St North
Winthrop, IA 50682
(319) 935-3367
Gr: 9-12 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1212.
Rural Elementary School #2
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1198 Fairbank Amish Blvd
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 635-2071
Gr: K-8 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #1313.
Rural Elementary School #4
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1153 Denison Ave
Fairbank, IA 50629
(319) 635-2071
Gr: K-8 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Rank: #1414.
Prairie Grove Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1501 150th St
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Gr: K-8 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Perry #1 Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1726 Fairbank Amish Blvd
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Gr: K-8 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Triumph Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1348 145th St
Jesup, IA 50648
(319) 827-1700
Gr: K-8 | 42 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
Rank: n/an/a
Early Childhood Center
1011 1st St W
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-4780
Gr: PK | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: n/an/a
East Elementary School
1103 First Street West
Independence, IA 50644
(319) 334-7425
Gr: K-2 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Buchanan County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Buchanan County, IA include Jesup Elementary School, Jesup Middle School and Fairbank Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Buchanan County?
18 public schools are located in Buchanan County.
What percentage of students in Buchanan County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Buchanan County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Buchanan County?
Buchanan County public schools minority enrollment is 6% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Buchanan County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Buchanan County include: Jesup Elementary School vs. Fairbank Elementary School

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