Best Schools in Grinnell, Iowa
6 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Grinnell?
Use this page to compare every school in Grinnell 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.
Davis Elementary School
Elementary · Grinnell-newburg Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Grinnell Community Middle School
Middle · Grinnell-newburg Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Grinnell Community Senior High School
High · Grinnell-newburg 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 Grinnell for 2026 are Davis Elementary School (7.8/10), Grinnell Community Middle School (7.3/10), and Grinnell Community Senior High School (7.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$198,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$198,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Grinnell
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davis Elementary School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Grinnell Community Middle School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Grinnell Community Senior High School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Central Iowa Christian 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
- 7.3/10
- Median household income
- $64,707
- Median home value
- $198,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38%
- Avg commute
- 16 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69%
83% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Grinnell compares
Iowa rank
#39 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.9
above Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$65k
85% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Grinnell, Iowa
Grinnell, Iowa is home to 6 schools, including 5 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.3 out of 10, schools in Grinnell 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 Grinnell is Bailey Park Elementary School with a composite score of 8.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Grinnell is served by 1 school district: Grinnell-Newburg Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 1,577 students.
Grinnell's community shows 38% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $64,707. The poverty rate in the area is 9.5%.
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 | 138 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 8.0 | ||
| 2 | 241 students · Pre-K–2nd | 8.0 | ||
| 3 | 228 students · 3rd–4th | 7.8 | ||
| 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 | Central Iowa Christian School
Private
52 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.2 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 439 students · 5th–8th | 7.3 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 486 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
Schools in Grinnell
Grinnell, Iowa · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$64,707
Median Home Value
$198,100
Median Rent
$863/mo
Population
11,776
College Educated
38%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
16 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Community Profile
Grinnell has a median household income of $64,707. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,100, with a median rent of $863/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 4
- 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 Grinnell, Iowa
How many schools are in Grinnell, Iowa?
Grinnell has 6 schools, including 5 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Grinnell, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Grinnell is 7.3 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 Grinnell, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Grinnell on MySchoolScout is Davis Elementary School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Grinnell, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Grinnell on MySchoolScout is Davis Elementary School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Grinnell, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Grinnell on MySchoolScout is Grinnell Community Middle School with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best high school in Grinnell, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Grinnell on MySchoolScout is Grinnell Community Senior High School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Grinnell, Iowa?
Grinnell is served by 1 school district: Grinnell-newburg Comm School District.
What is the education level in Grinnell, Iowa?
According to Census data, 38% of adults in Grinnell have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Grinnell, Iowa?
The median household income in Grinnell is approximately $64,707 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Grinnell, Iowa?
Yes, Grinnell has 1 private school alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Central Iowa Christian School with a score of 5.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Grinnell, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Grinnell is 13.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Grinnell, 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.