6.2 avg / 10

Best Schools in Independence, Iowa

6 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 High · 2 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 4

Private: 2

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 6.2/10

Estimated Scores: 60%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 6.2/10
Median household income: $79,861
Median home value: $174,000
Bachelor's degree or higher: 24%
Avg commute: 23 min
Owner-occupied homes: 78%

How Independence compares

Iowa rank

#96 of 175

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.1

below Iowa avg (6.3)

Median household income

$80k

105% of Iowa median

Schools in this city

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 6.2 out of 10, schools in Independence show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Independence is East Elementary School with a composite score of 7.1/10, 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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (6) Elementary (3) High (1)

Filter by Type: All Types (6) Public (4) Private (2)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (6) Academics (6) Growth (2) Diversity (2) Resources (4)

Filter by ZIP: 50644 (6)

Elementary Schools

3 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	East Elementary School 281 students · Kindergarten–2nd	281	Kindergarten–2nd	7.1
2	West Elementary School 371 students · 3rd–6th	371	3rd–6th	6.0
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	135	Pre-K–8th	Not Rated

High Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Independence Junior Senior High School 724 students · 7th–12th	724	7th–12th	6.4

Other Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Early Childhood Center 39 students · Pre-K–Pre-K	39	Pre-K–Pre-K	5.4
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	2	4th–10th	Not Rated

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.

Quick Facts

State: Iowa
Total Schools: 6
Elementary: 3
High: 1
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 6.2/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Independence schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Independence 📊 Niche Independence Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School District

Independence Comm School District

4 schools · 1,480 students

Nearby Cities

Dunkerton (2 schools)

15 mi

Center Point (4 schools)

19 mi

Troy Mills (3 schools)

17 mi

Maynard (2 schools)

21 mi

La Porte City (2 schools)

18 mi

Arlington (3 schools)

20 mi

Vinton (3 schools)

23 mi

Evansdale (2 schools)

19 mi

Shellsburg (1 school)

26 mi

Readlyn (2 schools)

22 mi

Alburnett (3 schools)

26 mi

Other Major Cities in Iowa

Top metros statewide by school count.

Des Moines 77 schools Cedar Rapids 52 schools Sioux City 29 schools Davenport 28 schools Dubuque 23 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently 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 6.2 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Independence, Iowa?

The top-ranked school in Independence on MySchoolScout is East Elementary School with a composite score of 7.1/10.

What is the best elementary school in Independence, Iowa?

The top-ranked elementary school in Independence on MySchoolScout is East Elementary School with a composite score of 7.1/10.

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 6.4/10.

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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.