Best Schools in Grimes, Iowa
7 schools · 4 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Grimes?
Use this page to compare every school in Grimes 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.
South Prairie Elementary
Elementary · Dallas Center-grimes Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
North Ridge Elementary
Elementary · Dallas Center-grimes Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Dallas Center Elementary
Elementary · Dallas Center-grimes 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 Grimes for 2026 are South Prairie Elementary (8.2/10), North Ridge Elementary (8.0/10), and Dallas Center Elementary (7.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
7
in this city
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$285,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
in this city
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$285,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Grimes
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Prairie Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | North Ridge Elementary | 8.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Dallas Center Elementary | 7.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Dallas Center-grimes Middle School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Dc-g Oak View | 7.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Dallas Center-grimes High School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Heritage Elementary | 3.3 / 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
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $108,352
- Median home value
- $285,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 48%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
71% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Grimes compares
Iowa rank
#66 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.5
above Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$108k
142% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Grimes, Iowa
Grimes, Iowa is home to 7 schools, including 7 public schools. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Grimes 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 Grimes is South Prairie Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Grimes is served by 1 school district: Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 3,770 students.
Grimes's community shows 48% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $108,352. The poverty rate in the area is 6.6%.
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 | 455 students · Kindergarten–4th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 423 students · Kindergarten–4th | 8.0 |
| 3 | 179 students · Kindergarten–4th | 7.8 |
| 4 | 567 students · Pre-K–4th | 3.3 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 537 students · 5th–6th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 565 students · 7th–8th | 7.6 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,027 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 |
Schools in Grimes
Grimes, Iowa · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$108,352
Median Home Value
$285,700
Median Rent
$1,156/mo
Population
16,254
College Educated
48%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Community Profile
Grimes has a median household income of $108,352. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $285,700, with a median rent of $1,156/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
Resources
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 Grimes, Iowa
How many schools are in Grimes, Iowa?
Grimes has 7 schools, including 7 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Grimes, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Grimes is 6.8 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 Grimes, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Grimes on MySchoolScout is South Prairie Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Grimes, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Grimes on MySchoolScout is South Prairie Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Grimes, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Grimes on MySchoolScout is Dallas Center-grimes Middle School with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best high school in Grimes, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Grimes on MySchoolScout is Dallas Center-grimes High School with a composite score of 5.2/10.
How many school districts serve Grimes, Iowa?
Grimes is served by 1 school district: Dallas Center-grimes Comm School District.
What is the education level in Grimes, Iowa?
According to Census data, 48% of adults in Grimes have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Grimes, Iowa?
The median household income in Grimes is approximately $108,352 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Grimes, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Grimes is 15.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Grimes, 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.