Best Schools in Denison, Iowa
6 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Denison?
Use this page to compare every school in Denison 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.
Denison Middle School
Middle · Denison Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Broadway Elementary School
Elementary · Denison Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Denison High School
High · Denison 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 Denison for 2026 are Denison Middle School (8.5/10), Broadway Elementary School (7.7/10), and Denison High School (7.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
6
4 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$146,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
4 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$146,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Denison
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denison Middle School | 8.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Broadway Elementary School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Denison High School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Zion Lutheran School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 5 | St Rose of Lima School | 5.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Denison Elementary School | 4.8 / 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
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $64,399
- Median home value
- $146,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18%
- Avg commute
- 15 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Denison compares
Iowa rank
#79 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$64k
84% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Denison, Iowa
Denison, Iowa is home to 6 schools, including 4 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.6 out of 10, schools in Denison 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 Denison is Denison Middle School with a composite score of 8.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Denison is served by 1 school district: Denison Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 2,259 students.
Denison's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $64,399. The poverty rate in the area is 19.9%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 278 students · 4th–5th | 7.7 | ||
| 2 | 698 students · Pre-K–3rd | 4.8 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Zion Lutheran School
Private
80 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.5 | ||
| 2 | St Rose of Lima School
Private
96 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.0 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 490 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 773 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
Schools in Denison
Denison, Iowa · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$64,399
Median Home Value
$146,200
Median Rent
$763/mo
Population
9,586
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
15 min
Poverty Rate
19.9%
Community Profile
Denison has a median household income of $64,399. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,200, with a median rent of $763/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 4
- 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 Denison, Iowa
How many schools are in Denison, Iowa?
Denison has 6 schools, including 4 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Denison, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Denison is 6.6 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 Denison, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Denison on MySchoolScout is Denison Middle School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Denison, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Denison on MySchoolScout is Broadway Elementary School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Denison, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Denison on MySchoolScout is Denison Middle School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best high school in Denison, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Denison on MySchoolScout is Denison High School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
How many school districts serve Denison, Iowa?
Denison is served by 1 school district: Denison Comm School District.
What is the education level in Denison, Iowa?
According to Census data, 18% of adults in Denison have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Denison, Iowa?
The median household income in Denison is approximately $64,399 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Denison, Iowa?
Yes, Denison has 2 private schools alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Zion Lutheran School with a score of 6.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Denison, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Denison is 14.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Denison, 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.