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5.2 avg / 10

Best Schools in Essex, Iowa

2 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 High

Public: 2
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 5.2/10
Move-ready shortlistcity map + schools

Choosing a school in Essex?

Use this page to compare every school in Essex 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.

Essex Junior-senior High School

6.4/10

High · Essex Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

Essex Elementary School

3.9/10

Elementary · Essex Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.

Schools

2

in this city

Avg Score

5.2

out of 10

Median Home

$115,700

home value · ACS

District

1

serving the city

Top-Rated Schools in Essex

Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (2 of 2). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.

# School Rating
1 Essex Junior-senior High School 6.4 / 10
2 Essex Elementary School 3.9 / 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
5.2/10

0% of schools rated 7+

Median household income
$61,154

Census ACS, ZIPs in this city

Median home value
$115,700

Owner-occupied units

Bachelor's degree or higher
16%

Adults 25+

Owner-occupied homes
80%

Of occupied housing units

How Essex compares

Median household income

$61k

80% of Iowa median

About Schools in Essex, Iowa

Essex, Iowa is home to 2 schools, including 2 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, , and 1 high school.

With an average rating of 5.2 out of 10, schools in Essex 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 Essex is Essex Junior-senior High School with a composite score of 6.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Essex is served by 1 school district: Essex Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 215 students.

Essex's community shows 16% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $61,154. The poverty rate in the area is 9.4%.

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: 51638 (2)

Elementary Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 121 students · Pre-K–5th 3.9

High Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 94 students · 6th–12th 6.4

Schools in Essex

Essex, Iowa · 2 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$61,154

Median Home Value

$115,700

Median Rent

$688/mo

Population

1,278

College Educated

16%

Homeownership

80%

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Community Profile

Essex has a median household income of $61,154. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $115,700, with a median rent of $688/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Essex, Iowa

How many schools are in Essex, Iowa?

Essex has 2 schools, including 2 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Essex, Iowa?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Essex is 5.2 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 Essex, Iowa?

The top-ranked school in Essex on MySchoolScout is Essex Junior-senior High School with a composite score of 6.4/10.

What is the best elementary school in Essex, Iowa?

The top-ranked elementary school in Essex on MySchoolScout is Essex Elementary School with a composite score of 3.9/10.

What is the best high school in Essex, Iowa?

The top-ranked high school in Essex on MySchoolScout is Essex Junior-senior High School with a composite score of 6.4/10.

How many school districts serve Essex, Iowa?

Essex is served by 1 school district: Essex Comm School District.

What is the education level in Essex, Iowa?

According to Census data, 16% of adults in Essex have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Essex, Iowa?

The median household income in Essex is approximately $61,154 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Essex, Iowa?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Essex is 12.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Essex, 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.