Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in Hamilton County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Hamilton County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public schools serving 2,476 students in Hamilton County, IA (there are 1 private school, serving 78 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Hamilton County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Hamilton County, IA are South Hamilton Elementary School, South Hamilton Middle And High School and Sunset Heights Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Hamilton County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 74% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 69% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Hamilton County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Hamilton County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
South Hamilton Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
404 Blaine St
Jewell, IA 50130
(515) 827-5096
Gr: PK-6 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
South Hamilton Middle And High School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
315 Division St
Jewell, IA 50130
(515) 827-5418
Gr: 7-12 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #33.
Sunset Heights Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1101 Boone St
Webster City, IA 50595
(515) 832-9245
Gr: 2-4 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #44.
Northeast Hamilton Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
606 Illinois St
Webster City, IA 50595
(515) 325-6234
Gr: PK-6 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #55.
Webster City Middle School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1101 Des Moines Street
Webster City, IA 50595
(515) 832-9220
Gr: 5-8 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #66.
Webster City High School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1001 Lynx Avenue
Webster City, IA 50595
(515) 832-9210
Gr: 9-12 | 505 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #77.
Stratford Elementary School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1000 Shakespeare Ave
Stratford, IA 50249
(515) 838-2208
Gr: PK-6 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: n/an/a
Pleasant View Elementary School
1901 Willson Ave
Webster City, IA 50595
(515) 832-9241
Gr: PK-1 | 210 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 36%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Hamilton County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Hamilton County, IA include South Hamilton Elementary School, South Hamilton Middle And High School and Sunset Heights Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Hamilton County?
8 public schools are located in Hamilton County.
What percentage of students in Hamilton County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Hamilton County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Hamilton County?
Hamilton County public schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Hamilton County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (IA):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links: