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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Wapello County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 6,888 students in Wapello County, IA (there are 2 private schools, serving 183 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Wapello County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Wapello County, IA are Eddyville Elementary School, Eisenhower Elementary School and Horace Mann Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wapello County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 56% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Wapello County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Wapello County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Eddyville Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
702 Vance Street
Eddyville, IA 52553
(641) 969-4281
Gr: PK-6 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Eisenhower Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2624 Marilyn Rd
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-5617
Gr: K-5 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #33.
Horace Mann Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1523 N Court St
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-4661
Gr: K-5 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #44.
Blakesburg Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
407 S Wilson
Blakesburg, IA 52536
(641) 938-2203
Gr: PK-6 | 103 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #55.
Cardinal Junior High School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4045 Ashland Road
Eldon, IA 52554
(641) 652-7531
Gr: 5-8 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #66.
Cardinal Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5414 Hwy 16
Eldon, IA 52554
(641) 652-3591
Gr: PK-4 | 495 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #77.
Eddyville-blakesburg-fremont Jr/sr High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1301 Berdan St
Eddyville, IA 52553
(641) 969-4288
Gr: 7-12 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #88.
Evans Junior High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
812 Chester Avenue
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-6511
Gr: 8-9 | 684 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #99.
Cardinal High School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4045 Ashland Rd
Eldon, IA 52554
(641) 652-7531
Gr: 9-12 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1010.
Wilson Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1102 E. 4th St.
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-5441
Gr: K-5 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1111.
Ottumwa High School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
501 E 2nd
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 683-4444
Gr: 10-12 | 910 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1212.
Liberty Intermediate School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
50 Traxler Drive
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 682-4502
Gr: 6-7 | 633 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1313.
James Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1001 N Benton
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-5411
Gr: K-5 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1414.
Ottumwa Virtual Learning
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
115 N Ferry St
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-6597
Gr: PK-12 | 106 students Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: n/an/a
Douma Elementary School
307 W. Mary St.
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-4668
Gr: 1-2 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: n/an/a
Fahrney Elementary School
520 South Milner
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-6597
Gr: 3-5 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: n/an/a
Gateway High School
907 Gateway Drive
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-6597
Gr: 9-12 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: n/an/a
Pickwick Early Childhood Center
1306 W Williams
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-7179
Gr: PK-K | 560 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 50%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Wapello County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Wapello County, IA include Eddyville Elementary School, Eisenhower Elementary School and Horace Mann Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Wapello County?
17 public schools are located in Wapello County.
What percentage of students in Wapello County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Wapello County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Wapello County?
Wapello County public schools minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Wapello County are often viewed compared to one another?

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