Best Schools in Fort Dodge, Iowa
11 schools · 7 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Fort Dodge?
Use this page to compare every school in Fort Dodge 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.
Community Christian School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
St Edmond Catholic School
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
St Paul Lutheran School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Fort Dodge for 2026 are Community Christian School (8.1/10), St Edmond Catholic School (5.3/10), and St Paul Lutheran School (5.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 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
11
7 public · 4 private
Avg Score
4.6
out of 10
Median Home
$139,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
11
7 public · 4 private
Avg Score
4.6
out of 10
Median Home
$139,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Fort Dodge
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 of 11). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Community Christian School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | St Edmond Catholic School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 3 | St Paul Lutheran School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Fort Dodge Middle School | 5.0 / 10 |
| 5 | St Edmond Catholic School | 5.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Feelhaver Elementary School | 4.0 / 10 |
| 7 | Duncombe Elementary School | 3.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Cooper Elementary School | 3.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Fort Dodge High School | 2.9 / 10 |
| 10 | Butler Elementary School | 2.7 / 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
- 4.6/10
- Median household income
- $66,130
- Median home value
- $139,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
9% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Fort Dodge compares
Iowa rank
#164 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.7
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$66k
87% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
11
About Schools in Fort Dodge, Iowa
Fort Dodge, Iowa is home to 11 schools, including 7 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 4.6 out of 10, schools in Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge is Community Christian School with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Fort Dodge is served by 1 school district: Fort Dodge Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 3,611 students.
Fort Dodge's community shows 21% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $66,130. The poverty rate in the area is 12.7%.
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
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 382 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 5.8 | ||
| 2 | 221 students · 1st–5th | 4.0 | ||
| 3 | 454 students · 1st–5th | 3.3 | ||
| 4 | 238 students · 1st–5th | 3.1 | ||
| 5 | 344 students · 1st–5th | 2.7 | ||
| 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 | Community Christian School
Private
74 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | St Paul Lutheran School
Private
75 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.3 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 774 students · 6th–8th | 5.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,057 students · 9th–12th | 2.9 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Edmond Catholic School
Private
548 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.3 |
| 2 | St Edmond Catholic School
Private
548 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.0 |
Schools in Fort Dodge
Fort Dodge, Iowa · 11 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$66,130
Median Home Value
$139,700
Median Rent
$779/mo
Population
28,633
College Educated
21%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Community Profile
Fort Dodge has a median household income of $66,130. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,700, with a median rent of $779/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 2
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 Fort Dodge, Iowa
How many schools are in Fort Dodge, Iowa?
Fort Dodge has 11 schools, including 7 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Fort Dodge, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Fort Dodge is 4.6 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 Fort Dodge, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Fort Dodge on MySchoolScout is Community Christian School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Fort Dodge, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Fort Dodge on MySchoolScout is Community Christian School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Fort Dodge, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Fort Dodge on MySchoolScout is Fort Dodge Middle School with a composite score of 5.0/10.
What is the best high school in Fort Dodge, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Fort Dodge on MySchoolScout is Fort Dodge High School with a composite score of 2.9/10.
How many school districts serve Fort Dodge, Iowa?
Fort Dodge is served by 1 school district: Fort Dodge Comm School District.
What is the education level in Fort Dodge, Iowa?
According to Census data, 21% of adults in Fort Dodge have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Fort Dodge, Iowa?
The median household income in Fort Dodge is approximately $66,130 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Fort Dodge, Iowa?
Yes, Fort Dodge has 4 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Community Christian School with a score of 8.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Fort Dodge, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Fort Dodge is 14.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Fort Dodge, 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.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.