Best Schools in Cherokee, Iowa
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Cherokee?
Use this page to compare every school in Cherokee 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.
Cherokee Middle School
Middle · Cherokee Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Washington High School
High · Cherokee Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Cherokee Elementary School
Elementary · Cherokee 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 Cherokee for 2026 are Cherokee Middle School (6.9/10), Washington High School (5.9/10), and Cherokee Elementary School (3.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
3
in this city
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$127,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$127,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Cherokee
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cherokee Middle School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Washington High School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Cherokee Elementary 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
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $56,964
- Median home value
- $127,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Cherokee compares
Iowa rank
#147 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$57k
75% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Cherokee, Iowa
Cherokee, Iowa is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Cherokee 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 Cherokee is Cherokee Middle School with a composite score of 6.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Cherokee is served by 1 school district: Cherokee Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 1,217 students.
Cherokee's community shows 20% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $56,964. The poverty rate in the area is 22.1%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 484 students · Pre-K–4th | 3.7 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 356 students · 5th–8th | 6.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 377 students · 9th–12th | 5.9 |
Schools in Cherokee
Cherokee, Iowa · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$56,964
Median Home Value
$127,900
Median Rent
$725/mo
Population
6,313
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
67%
Poverty Rate
22.1%
Community Profile
Cherokee has a median household income of $56,964. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $127,900, with a median rent of $725/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 1
- 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 Cherokee, Iowa
How many schools are in Cherokee, Iowa?
Cherokee has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Cherokee, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Cherokee is 5.5 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 Cherokee, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Cherokee on MySchoolScout is Cherokee Middle School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Cherokee, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Cherokee on MySchoolScout is Cherokee Elementary School with a composite score of 3.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Cherokee, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Cherokee on MySchoolScout is Cherokee Middle School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best high school in Cherokee, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Cherokee on MySchoolScout is Washington High School with a composite score of 5.9/10.
How many school districts serve Cherokee, Iowa?
Cherokee is served by 1 school district: Cherokee Comm School District.
What is the education level in Cherokee, Iowa?
According to Census data, 20% of adults in Cherokee have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Cherokee, Iowa?
The median household income in Cherokee is approximately $56,964 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Cherokee, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Cherokee is 14.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Cherokee, 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.