Best Schools in Decorah, Iowa
8 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Decorah?
Use this page to compare every school in Decorah 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.
Decorah Middle School
Middle · Decorah Community School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Decorah High School
High · Decorah Community School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Carrie Lee Elementary
Elementary · Decorah Community 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 Decorah for 2026 are Decorah Middle School (8.6/10), Decorah High School (7.6/10), and Carrie Lee Elementary (7.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
8
4 public · 4 private
Avg Score
7.4
out of 10
Median Home
$249,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
4 public · 4 private
Avg Score
7.4
out of 10
Median Home
$249,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Decorah
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Decorah Middle School | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Decorah High School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Carrie Lee Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Ne Iowa Montessori School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 5 | St Benedict School | 6.0 / 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
- 7.4/10
- Median household income
- $70,046
- Median home value
- $249,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39%
- Avg commute
- 17 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Decorah compares
Iowa rank
#35 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.1
above Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$70k
92% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Decorah, Iowa
Decorah, Iowa is home to 8 schools, including 4 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.4 out of 10, schools in Decorah perform strongly 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 Decorah is Decorah Middle School with a composite score of 8.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Decorah is served by 1 school district: Decorah Community School District. These districts collectively serve 1,640 students.
Decorah's community shows 39% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $70,046. The poverty rate in the area is 8.9%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 310 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 228 students · 3rd–4th | 7.3 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Ne Iowa Montessori School
Private
37 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.6 | ||
| 2 | St Benedict School
Private
138 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.0 | ||
| 3 | Kinderhaus
Private
3 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 436 students · 5th–8th | 8.6 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 569 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crossroads Academy
Private
24 students · 1st–12th | — |
Schools in Decorah
Decorah, Iowa · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$70,046
Median Home Value
$249,500
Median Rent
$813/mo
Population
12,539
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Community Profile
Decorah has a median household income of $70,046. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $249,500, with a median rent of $813/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 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 Decorah, Iowa
How many schools are in Decorah, Iowa?
Decorah has 8 schools, including 4 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Decorah, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Decorah is 7.4 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 Decorah, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Decorah on MySchoolScout is Decorah Middle School with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Decorah, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Decorah on MySchoolScout is Carrie Lee Elementary with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Decorah, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Decorah on MySchoolScout is Decorah Middle School with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best high school in Decorah, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Decorah on MySchoolScout is Decorah High School with a composite score of 7.6/10.
How many school districts serve Decorah, Iowa?
Decorah is served by 1 school district: Decorah Community School District.
What is the education level in Decorah, Iowa?
According to Census data, 39% of adults in Decorah have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Decorah, Iowa?
The median household income in Decorah is approximately $70,046 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Decorah, Iowa?
Yes, Decorah has 4 private schools alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Ne Iowa Montessori School with a score of 6.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Decorah, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Decorah is 9.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Decorah, 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.