Best Schools in Donnellson, Iowa
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Donnellson?
Use this page to compare every school in Donnellson 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.
Central Lee High School
High · Central Lee Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Central Lee Elementary School
Elementary · Central Lee Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Central Lee Middle School
Middle · Central Lee 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 Donnellson for 2026 are Central Lee High School (7.6/10), Central Lee Elementary School (6.2/10), and Central Lee Middle School (5.8/10), 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
in this city
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$201,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$201,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Donnellson
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 | Central Lee High School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Central Lee Elementary School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Central Lee Middle School | 5.8 / 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
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $78,224
- Median home value
- $201,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 87%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Donnellson compares
Iowa rank
#81 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$78k
103% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Donnellson, Iowa
Donnellson, Iowa is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.5 out of 10, schools in Donnellson 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 Donnellson is Central Lee High School with a composite score of 7.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Donnellson is served by 1 school district: Central Lee Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 1,270 students.
Donnellson's community shows 27% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $78,224. The poverty rate in the area is 9.3%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 672 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.2 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 280 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 318 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 |
Schools in Donnellson
Donnellson, Iowa · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$78,224
Median Home Value
$201,100
Median Rent
$753/mo
Population
2,303
College Educated
27%
Homeownership
87%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Community Profile
Donnellson has a median household income of $78,224. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $201,100, with a median rent of $753/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 1
- 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 Donnellson, Iowa
How many schools are in Donnellson, Iowa?
Donnellson has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Donnellson, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Donnellson is 6.5 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 Donnellson, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Donnellson on MySchoolScout is Central Lee High School with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Donnellson, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Donnellson on MySchoolScout is Central Lee Elementary School with a composite score of 6.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Donnellson, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Donnellson on MySchoolScout is Central Lee Middle School with a composite score of 5.8/10.
What is the best high school in Donnellson, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Donnellson on MySchoolScout is Central Lee High School with a composite score of 7.6/10.
How many school districts serve Donnellson, Iowa?
Donnellson is served by 1 school district: Central Lee Comm School District.
What is the education level in Donnellson, Iowa?
According to Census data, 27% of adults in Donnellson have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Donnellson, Iowa?
The median household income in Donnellson is approximately $78,224 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Donnellson, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Donnellson is 17.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Donnellson, 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.