Best Schools in Independence, Iowa
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Independence?
Use this page to compare every school in Independence 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.
West Elementary School
Elementary · Independence Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
St Johns School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Independence Junior Senior High School
High · Independence 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 Independence for 2026 are West Elementary School (6.3/10), St Johns School (6.2/10), and Independence Junior Senior High School (5.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$174,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
4 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$174,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Independence
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Elementary School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 2 | St Johns School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Independence Junior Senior High School | 5.8 / 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
- 5.8/10
- Median household income
- $79,861
- Median home value
- $174,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 78%
20% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Independence compares
Iowa rank
#136 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$80k
105% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Independence, Iowa
Independence, Iowa is home to 6 schools, including 4 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, , and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, schools in Independence 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 Independence is East Elementary School with a composite score of 7.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Independence is served by 1 school district: Independence Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 1,480 students.
Independence's community shows 24% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $79,861. The poverty rate in the area is 7.2%.
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 | 281 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 7.6 | ||
| 2 | 371 students · 3rd–6th | 6.3 | ||
| 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 | St Johns School
Private
135 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.2 | ||
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 724 students · 7th–12th | 5.8 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 39 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 2.9 | ||
| 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 | Independence Christian Academy
Private
2 students · 4th–10th | — | ||
Schools in Independence
Independence, Iowa · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$79,861
Median Home Value
$174,000
Median Rent
$770/mo
Population
8,475
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
78%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Community Profile
Independence has a median household income of $79,861. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,000, with a median rent of $770/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 3
- 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 Independence, Iowa
How many schools are in Independence, Iowa?
Independence has 6 schools, including 4 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Independence, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Independence is 5.8 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 Independence, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Independence on MySchoolScout is West Elementary School with a composite score of 6.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Independence, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Independence on MySchoolScout is West Elementary School with a composite score of 6.3/10.
What is the best high school in Independence, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Independence on MySchoolScout is Independence Junior Senior High School with a composite score of 5.8/10.
How many school districts serve Independence, Iowa?
Independence is served by 1 school district: Independence Comm School District.
What is the education level in Independence, Iowa?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Independence have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Independence, Iowa?
The median household income in Independence is approximately $79,861 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Independence, Iowa?
Yes, Independence has 2 private schools alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Johns School with a score of 6.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Independence, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Independence 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 Independence, 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.