Best Schools in Harlan, Iowa
5 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Harlan?
Use this page to compare every school in Harlan 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.
Harlan Community Middle School
Middle · Harlan Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Shelby County Catholic School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Harlan High School
High · Harlan 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 Harlan for 2026 are Harlan Community Middle School (7.5/10), Shelby County Catholic School (7.0/10), and Harlan High School (5.9/10), 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
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$161,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$161,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Harlan
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harlan Community Middle School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Shelby County Catholic School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Harlan High School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Harlan Intermediate School | 4.5 / 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
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $62,353
- Median home value
- $161,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 15 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 73%
40% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Harlan compares
Iowa rank
#114 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$62k
82% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Harlan, Iowa
Harlan, Iowa is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Harlan 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 Harlan is Harlan Community Middle School with a composite score of 7.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Harlan is served by 1 school district: Harlan Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 1,505 students.
Harlan's community shows 24% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $62,353. The poverty rate in the area is 8.6%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 347 students · Pre-K–2nd | 5.7 | ||
| 2 | 324 students · 3rd–5th | 4.5 | ||
| 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 | Shelby County Catholic School
Private
77 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.0 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 343 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 477 students · 9th–12th | 5.9 |
Schools in Harlan
Harlan, Iowa · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$62,353
Median Home Value
$161,800
Median Rent
$854/mo
Population
6,480
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
15 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Community Profile
Harlan has a median household income of $62,353. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,800, with a median rent of $854/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 3
- 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 Harlan, Iowa
How many schools are in Harlan, Iowa?
Harlan has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Harlan, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Harlan is 6.1 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 Harlan, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Harlan on MySchoolScout is Harlan Community Middle School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Harlan, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Harlan on MySchoolScout is Shelby County Catholic School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Harlan, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Harlan on MySchoolScout is Harlan Community Middle School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Harlan, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Harlan on MySchoolScout is Harlan High School with a composite score of 5.9/10.
How many school districts serve Harlan, Iowa?
Harlan is served by 1 school district: Harlan Comm School District.
What is the education level in Harlan, Iowa?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Harlan have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Harlan, Iowa?
The median household income in Harlan is approximately $62,353 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Harlan, Iowa?
Yes, Harlan has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Shelby County Catholic School with a score of 7.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Harlan, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Harlan is 14.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Harlan, 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.