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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Marion County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 5,601 students in Marion County, IA (there are 3 private schools, serving 812 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Marion County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Marion County, IA are Pella High School, Pella Middle School and Jefferson Intermediate. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Marion County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 73% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 78% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Marion County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Marion County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pella High School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
212 E University St
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3870
Gr: 9-12 | 801 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
Pella Middle School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
613 E 13th
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-4784
Gr: 7-8 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #33.
Jefferson Intermediate
(Math: 82% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
801 E 13th St
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-8267
Gr: 4-6 | 494 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #44.
Pleasantville Middle School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
415 Jones St
Pleasantville, IA 50225
(515) 848-0528
Gr: 7-8 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1111 North Main Street
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3970
Gr: PK-3 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #66.
Madison Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
950 E. University St.
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-4638
Gr: PK-3 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #77.
Pleasantville High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
415 Jones St
Pleasantville, IA 50225
(515) 848-0541
Gr: 9-12 | 241 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #88.
Pleasantville Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
414 Jones St
Pleasantville, IA 50225
(515) 848-0566
Gr: PK-6 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #99.
Knoxville Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
413 Willetts Dr
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-3315
Gr: 6-8 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1010.
Melcher-dallas Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1003 E Park St
Melcher Dallas, IA 50062
(641) 947-3151
Gr: PK-6 | 157 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1111.
Twin Cedars Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2204 Highway G71
Bussey, IA 50044
(641) 944-5245
Gr: PK-6 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1212.
Knoxville High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1811 W Madison
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-2173
Gr: 9-12 | 508 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1313.
Melcher-dallas High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
214 S Main
Melcher Dallas, IA 50163
(641) 947-3731
Gr: 7-12 | 151 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1414.
Northstar Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
407 W Larson
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-6527
Gr: 3-5 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1515.
Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2204 Highway G71
Bussey, IA 50044
(641) 944-5243
Gr: 7-12 | 142 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: n/an/a
Viersen Early Learning Center
1050 E University St
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-1944
Gr: PK | 137 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: n/an/a
West Elementary School
306 S Park Lane Dr
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-2185
Gr: PK-2 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 10%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Marion County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Marion County, IA include Pella High School, Pella Middle School and Jefferson Intermediate.
How many public schools are located in Marion County?
16 public schools are located in Marion County.
What percentage of students in Marion County go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Marion County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Marion County?
Marion County public schools minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Marion County are often viewed compared to one another?

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