Best Schools in Clarinda, Iowa
3 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 High
Choosing a school in Clarinda?
Use this page to compare every school in Clarinda 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.
Garfield Elementary School
Elementary · Clarinda Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Clarinda High School
High · Clarinda Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Clarinda Lutheran School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Clarinda for 2026 are Garfield Elementary School (6.9/10), Clarinda High School (6.7/10), and Clarinda Lutheran School (5.5/10), 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
2 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$135,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
2 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$135,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Clarinda
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 | Garfield Elementary School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Clarinda High School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Clarinda Lutheran School | 5.5 / 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
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $54,758
- Median home value
- $135,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Clarinda compares
Iowa rank
#96 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$55k
72% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Clarinda, Iowa
Clarinda, Iowa is home to 3 schools, including 2 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, , and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Clarinda 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 Clarinda is Garfield Elementary School with a composite score of 6.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Clarinda is served by 1 school district: Clarinda Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 1,043 students.
Clarinda's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $54,758. The poverty rate in the area is 10.2%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 562 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.9 | ||
| 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 | Clarinda Lutheran School
Private
74 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 481 students · 7th–12th | 6.7 |
Schools in Clarinda
Clarinda, Iowa · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$54,758
Median Home Value
$135,200
Median Rent
$664/mo
Population
6,682
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Community Profile
Clarinda has a median household income of $54,758. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $135,200, with a median rent of $664/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 2
- 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 Clarinda, Iowa
How many schools are in Clarinda, Iowa?
Clarinda has 3 schools, including 2 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Clarinda, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Clarinda is 6.4 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 Clarinda, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Clarinda on MySchoolScout is Garfield Elementary School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Clarinda, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Clarinda on MySchoolScout is Garfield Elementary School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best high school in Clarinda, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Clarinda on MySchoolScout is Clarinda High School with a composite score of 6.7/10.
How many school districts serve Clarinda, Iowa?
Clarinda is served by 1 school district: Clarinda Comm School District.
What is the education level in Clarinda, Iowa?
According to Census data, 18% of adults in Clarinda have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Clarinda, Iowa?
The median household income in Clarinda is approximately $54,758 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Clarinda, Iowa?
Yes, Clarinda has 1 private school alongside 2 public schools. The top-rated private school is Clarinda Lutheran School with a score of 5.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Clarinda, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Clarinda is 12.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Clarinda, 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.