Best Schools in Fairfield, Iowa
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Fairfield?
Use this page to compare every school in Fairfield 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.
Maharishi School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Washington Elementary
Elementary · Fairfield Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Fairfield Middle School
Middle · Fairfield 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 Fairfield for 2026 are Maharishi School (9.4/10), Washington Elementary (8.6/10), and Fairfield Middle School (7.5/10), 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
6
4 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$168,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
4 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$168,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Fairfield
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maharishi School | 9.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Washington Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Fairfield Middle School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Pence Elementary | 5.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Fairfield High School | 5.2 / 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
- 7.2/10
- Median household income
- $55,528
- Median home value
- $168,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 46%
- Avg commute
- 13 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 61%
60% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Fairfield compares
Iowa rank
#40 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.9
above Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$56k
73% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Fairfield, Iowa
Fairfield, Iowa is home to 6 schools, including 4 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.2 out of 10, schools in Fairfield 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 Fairfield is Maharishi School with a composite score of 9.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Fairfield is served by 1 school district: Fairfield Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 1,466 students.
Fairfield's community shows 46% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $55,528. The poverty rate in the area is 16.0%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 255 students · Pre-K–1st | 8.6 | ||
| 2 | 339 students · 2nd–4th | 5.4 | ||
| 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 | Singing Cedars School
Private
27 students · Kindergarten–3rd | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 418 students · 5th–8th | 7.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 445 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maharishi School
Private
113 students · Pre-K–12th | 9.4 |
Schools in Fairfield
Fairfield, Iowa · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$55,528
Median Home Value
$168,200
Median Rent
$877/mo
Population
11,586
College Educated
46%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
13 min
Poverty Rate
16.0%
Community Profile
Fairfield has a median household income of $55,528. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,200, with a median rent of $877/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 3
- 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 Fairfield, Iowa
How many schools are in Fairfield, Iowa?
Fairfield has 6 schools, including 4 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Fairfield, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Fairfield is 7.2 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 Fairfield, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Fairfield on MySchoolScout is Maharishi School with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Fairfield, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Fairfield on MySchoolScout is Washington Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Fairfield, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Fairfield on MySchoolScout is Fairfield Middle School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Fairfield, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Fairfield on MySchoolScout is Fairfield High School with a composite score of 5.2/10.
How many school districts serve Fairfield, Iowa?
Fairfield is served by 1 school district: Fairfield Comm School District.
What is the education level in Fairfield, Iowa?
According to Census data, 46% of adults in Fairfield have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Fairfield, Iowa?
The median household income in Fairfield is approximately $55,528 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Fairfield, Iowa?
Yes, Fairfield has 2 private schools alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Maharishi School with a score of 9.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Fairfield, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Fairfield is 11.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Fairfield, 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.