Best Schools in Charles City, Iowa
5 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Charles City?
Use this page to compare every school in Charles City by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Charles City Middle School
Middle · Charles City Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Immaculate Conception School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lincoln Elementary School
Elementary · Charles City Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Charles City for 2026 are Charles City Middle School (5.7/10), Immaculate Conception School (5.6/10), and Lincoln Elementary School (4.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$135,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$135,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Charles City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles City Middle School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Immaculate Conception School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Lincoln Elementary School | 4.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Charles City High School | 3.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.4/10
- Median household income
- $63,226
- Median home value
- $135,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19%
- Avg commute
- 17 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
20% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Charles City compares
Iowa rank
#152 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.0
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$63k
83% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Charles City, Iowa
Charles City, Iowa is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.4 out of 10, schools in Charles City show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Charles City is Washington Elementary School with a composite score of 7.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Charles City is served by 1 school district: Charles City Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 1,473 students.
Charles City's community shows 19% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $63,226. The poverty rate in the area is 12.9%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 250 students · Pre-K–1st | 7.4 | ||
| 2 | 299 students · 2nd–4th | 4.4 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Immaculate Conception School
Private
156 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.6 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 378 students · 5th–8th | 5.7 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 522 students · 9th–12th | 3.7 |
Schools in Charles City
Charles City, Iowa · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$63,226
Median Home Value
$135,000
Median Rent
$628/mo
Population
9,419
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
12.9%
Community Profile
Charles City has a median household income of $63,226. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $135,000, with a median rent of $628/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Iowa
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Charles City, Iowa
How many schools are in Charles City, Iowa?
Charles City has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Charles City, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Charles City is 5.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Charles City, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Charles City on MySchoolScout is Charles City Middle School with a composite score of 5.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Charles City, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Charles City on MySchoolScout is Immaculate Conception School with a composite score of 5.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Charles City, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Charles City on MySchoolScout is Charles City Middle School with a composite score of 5.7/10.
What is the best high school in Charles City, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Charles City on MySchoolScout is Charles City High School with a composite score of 3.7/10.
How many school districts serve Charles City, Iowa?
Charles City is served by 1 school district: Charles City Comm School District.
What is the education level in Charles City, Iowa?
According to Census data, 19% of adults in Charles City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Charles City, Iowa?
The median household income in Charles City is approximately $63,226 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Charles City, Iowa?
Yes, Charles City has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Immaculate Conception School with a score of 5.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Charles City, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Charles City is 14.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Charles City, Iowa?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Iowa Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.