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6.2 avg / 10

Best Schools in Cresco, Iowa

4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 High · 1 Other

Public: 3
Private: 1
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 6.2/10
Estimated Scores: 50%

Family Snapshot

At a glance
Avg school rating
6.2/10

25% of schools rated 7+

Median household income
$66,932

Census ACS, ZIPs in this city

Median home value
$153,300

Owner-occupied units

Bachelor's degree or higher
20%

Adults 25+

Avg commute
18 min

Workers age 16+

Owner-occupied homes
77%

Of occupied housing units

How Cresco compares

Iowa rank

#101 of 175

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.1

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 6.2 out of 10, schools in Cresco show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Cresco is Crestwood Elementary School with a composite score of 8.4/10, 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.

Filter by ZIP: 52136 (4)

Elementary Schools

2 schools
# School Rating
1 456 students · Kindergarten–6th 8.4
Private Schools 1 school

Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.

1 158 students · Pre-K–6th Not Rated

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 5.6

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.

Quick Facts

State
Iowa
Total Schools
4
Elementary
2
High
1
Districts
1
Avg Rating
6.2/10

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently 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 6.2 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

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 8.4/10.

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 8.4/10.

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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.

Related reading

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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.