Best Schools in Marion County, IA
Marion County, IA has 30 public schools (8 high, 8 middle, 13 elementary) serving 12,997 students. On average they score 75% on state proficiency tests against a projected 63%, so schools in Marion County don't meet expectations. Rankings below compare each school’s actual results with the projection for its socioeconomic context.
Best High Schools in Marion County, IA
The top high schools in Marion County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Pella High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pella Comm School District • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 764 Students
2. Pcm High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pcm Comm School District • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 357 Students
3. Southeast Polk High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Southeast Polk Comm School District • Public • Grades 10 - 12 • 2353 Students
4. Chariton High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Chariton Comm School District • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 392 Students
5. Twin Cedars Jr-sr High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Twin Cedars Comm School District • Public • Grades 7 - 12 • 156 Students
6. Knoxville High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Knoxville Comm School District • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 500 Students
7. Pleasantville High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pleasantville Comm School District • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 244 Students
8. Melcher-dallas High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Melcher-dallas Comm School District • Public • Grades 7 - 12 • 153 Students
Best Middle Schools in Marion County, IA
The top middle schools in Marion County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Pella Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pella Comm School District • Public • Grades 7 - 8 • 382 Students
2. Jefferson Intermediate
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pella Comm School District • Public • Grades 4 - 6 • 526 Students
3. Spring Creek - 6th Grade
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Southeast Polk Comm School District • Public • Grades 6 - 7 • 535 Students
4. Chariton Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Chariton Comm School District • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 285 Students
5. Pcm Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pcm Comm School District • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 247 Students
6. Southeast Polk Junior High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Southeast Polk Comm School District • Public • Grades 8 - 9 • 1088 Students
7. Pleasantville Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pleasantville Comm School District • Public • Grades 7 - 8 • 114 Students
8. Knoxville Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Knoxville Comm School District • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 368 Students
Best Elementary Schools in Marion County, IA
The top elementary schools in Marion County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Runnells Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Southeast Polk Comm School District • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 269 Students
2. Lincoln Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pella Comm School District • Public • Grades Pre K - 3 • 329 Students
3. Pella Christian Grade School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pella Christian Grade School • Private • Grades Pre K - 8 • 522 Students
4. Madison Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pella Comm School District • Public • Grades Pre K - 3 • 490 Students
5. Pleasantville Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pleasantville Comm School District • Public • Grades Pre K - 6 • 421 Students
6. Twin Cedars Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Twin Cedars Comm School District • Public • Grades Pre K - 6 • 202 Students
7. Prairie City Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Pcm Comm School District • Public • Grades 3 - 5 • 320 Students
8. Van Allen Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Chariton Comm School District • Public • Grades 3 - 5 • 254 Students
9. Northstar Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Knoxville Comm School District • Public • Grades 3 - 5 • 341 Students
10. Melcher-dallas Elem
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Melcher-dallas Comm School District • Public • Grades Pre K - 6 • 177 Students
Education & Community Snapshot in Marion County, IA
County-level factors that shape the learning environment around local schools.
Community Factors
Marion County, IA has a total population of 33,414 with 26% of that population attending schools. The adult high school graduation rate is 95%, and 34% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students in Marion County, IA
K-12 Students
High School Graduates
Adults 25+ with HS diplomas
College Graduates
Adults 25+ with a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Demographics statistics provided by Best Neighborhood Marion County, IA.
Safety
Crime Grades summarize reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Use them as neighborhood context, not a school rating.
Overall Crime Grade
11.80 per 1,000 Residents
Violent Crime Grade
2.16 per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Grade
9.64 per 1,000 Residents
Crime statistics provided by CrimeGrade in Marion County, IA.
Connectivity
Connectivity influences learning at home. We summarize internet infrastructure, typical download speed, and a digital connectivity index for Marion County, IA.
ISP Report Card
Internet Infrastructure Grade
Average Download Speed
Speed Most Residents Can Get
Digital Connectivity Index
ISP Connectivity Demand Report
To read more about these statistics, please visit Marion County, IA Internet Health Assessment.
Questions About Schools in Marion County, IA
How many schools are in Marion County, IA?
Marion County, IA has 30 public schools: 8 high schools, 8 middle schools and 13 elementary schools, serving 12,997 students in total.
How do schools in Marion County perform on state tests?
On average, 30 schools in Marion County score 75% proficient on state assessments. Given the socioeconomic context of their students we project 63%, so on average schools in Marion County don't meet expectations.
How does SchoolGrade rank the best schools in Marion County?
Every public school gets a SchoolGrade from A+ to F based on the share of students at or above the state proficiency bar. The Impact Grade compares that result with what we would expect given the school’s student and community context, so schools that outperform their circumstances stand out. Schools cannot pay to change a grade. Read the full methodology.
Best Schools in Cities Near Marion County, IA
Explore nearby cities to widen your school search.
- Actual: 76%
- Projected: 63%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 76%
- Projected: 62%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 74%
- Projected: 59%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 67%
- Projected: 54%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 73%
- Projected: 63%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 74%
- Projected: 60%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 67%
- Projected: 52%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 61%
- Projected: 50%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 67%
- Projected: 53%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 70%
- Projected: 60%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
Cities, towns and school districts in Marion County
6 places in Marion County with graded public schools. Each link opens that place's ranked schools.
Cities and towns (6)
School districts (3)
- Pella Comm School District (5 schools)
- Knoxville Comm School District (4 schools)
- Pleasantville Comm School District (3 schools)