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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Webster County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 4,772 students in Webster County, IA (there are 4 private schools, serving 895 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Webster County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Webster County, IA are Manson Northwest Webster Elementary School, Dayton Center and Southeast Valley Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Webster County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Webster County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 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 Webster County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Manson Northwest Webster Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
303 Pierce Street
Barnum, IA 50518
(515) 542-3211
Gr: PK-6 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #22.
Dayton Center
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
104 2nd St. Nw
Dayton, IA 50530
(515) 547-2314
Gr: PK-4 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
Southeast Valley Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
30850 Paragon Ave.
Burnside, IA 50521
(515) 359-2235
Gr: 5-8 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #44.
Feelhaver Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1300 14th Ave N
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
(515) 574-5680
Gr: 1-5 | 227 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #55.
Cooper Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2420 14th Avenue North
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
(515) 574-5602
Gr: 1-5 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #66.
Fort Dodge Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
800 North 32nd Street
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
(515) 574-5691
Gr: 6-8 | 765 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #77.
Duncombe Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1620 6th Avenue North
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
(515) 574-5623
Gr: 1-5 | 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #88.
Fort Dodge High School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
819 N 25th St
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
(515) 955-1770
Gr: 9-12 | 1,020 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #99.
Butler Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
945 South 18th Street
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
(515) 574-5882
Gr: 1-5 | 328 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: n/an/a
Early Childhood Center
104 So. 17th St.
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
(515) 574-5740
Gr: PK-K | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: n/an/a
Southeast Valley High School
1005 Riddle St
Gowrie, IA 50543
(515) 352-3142
Gr: 9-12 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Webster County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Webster County, IA include Manson Northwest Webster Elementary School, Dayton Center and Southeast Valley Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Webster County?
11 public schools are located in Webster County.
What percentage of students in Webster County go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Webster County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Webster County?
Webster 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 Webster County are often viewed compared to one another?

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