Best Schools in Cresco, Iowa
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Cresco?
Use this page to compare every school in Cresco 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.
Crestwood Elementary School
Elementary · Howard-winneshiek Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Crestwood High School
High · Howard-winneshiek Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Notre Dame Catholic 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 Cresco for 2026 are Crestwood Elementary School (8.6/10), Crestwood High School (6.3/10), and Notre Dame Catholic School (4.5/10), 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
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$153,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.6
out of 10
Median Home
$153,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Cresco
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crestwood Elementary School | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Crestwood High School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Notre Dame Catholic School | 4.5 / 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
- 5.6/10
- Median household income
- $66,932
- Median home value
- $153,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 77%
25% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Cresco compares
Iowa rank
#143 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.7
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$67k
88% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Cresco, Iowa
Cresco, Iowa is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, , and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.6 out of 10, schools in Cresco 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 Cresco is Crestwood Elementary School with a composite score of 8.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Cresco is served by 1 school district: Howard-Winneshiek Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 1,058 students.
Cresco's community shows 20% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $66,932. The poverty rate in the area is 8.5%.
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 | 456 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.6 | ||
| 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 | Notre Dame Catholic School
Private
158 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.5 | ||
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 509 students · 7th–12th | 6.3 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.1 |
Schools in Cresco
Cresco, Iowa · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$66,932
Median Home Value
$153,300
Median Rent
$721/mo
Population
5,763
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Community Profile
Cresco has a median household income of $66,932. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,300, with a median rent of $721/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. 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
- Other
- 1
Resources
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 Cresco, Iowa
How many schools are in Cresco, Iowa?
Cresco has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Cresco, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Cresco is 5.6 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 Cresco, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Cresco on MySchoolScout is Crestwood Elementary School with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Cresco, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Cresco on MySchoolScout is Crestwood Elementary School with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best high school in Cresco, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Cresco on MySchoolScout is Crestwood High School with a composite score of 6.3/10.
How many school districts serve Cresco, Iowa?
Cresco is served by 1 school district: Howard-winneshiek Comm School District.
What is the education level in Cresco, Iowa?
According to Census data, 20% of adults in Cresco have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Cresco, Iowa?
The median household income in Cresco is approximately $66,932 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Cresco, Iowa?
Yes, Cresco has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is Notre Dame Catholic School with a score of 4.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Cresco, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Cresco is 15.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Cresco, 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.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.