Best Schools in Indianola, Iowa
7 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Indianola?
Use this page to compare every school in Indianola 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.
Irving Elementary School
Elementary · Indianola Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Emerson Elementary School
Elementary · Indianola Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Indianola Middle School
Middle · Indianola 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 Indianola for 2026 are Irving Elementary School (8.3/10), Emerson Elementary School (6.9/10), and Indianola Middle School (6.3/10), 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
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$248,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$248,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Indianola
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 | Irving Elementary School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Emerson Elementary School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Indianola Middle School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Wilder Elementary School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Whittier Elementary School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Indianola High School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Victory Christian Academy | 3.9 / 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
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $86,463
- Median home value
- $248,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 34%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 75%
14% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Indianola compares
Iowa rank
#123 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$86k
113% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Indianola, Iowa
Indianola, Iowa is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Indianola 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 Indianola is Irving Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Indianola is served by 1 school district: Indianola Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 3,634 students.
Indianola's community shows 34% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $86,463. The poverty rate in the area is 6.4%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 392 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.3 | ||
| 2 | 415 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.9 | ||
| 3 | 471 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 4 | 397 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.5 | ||
| 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 | Victory Christian Academy
Private
66 students · Pre-K–6th | 3.9 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 820 students · 6th–8th | 6.3 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,139 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 |
Schools in Indianola
Indianola, Iowa · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$86,463
Median Home Value
$248,700
Median Rent
$975/mo
Population
20,009
College Educated
34%
Homeownership
75%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Community Profile
Indianola has a median household income of $86,463. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,700, with a median rent of $975/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% 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
- 5
- 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 Indianola, Iowa
How many schools are in Indianola, Iowa?
Indianola has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Indianola, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Indianola is 6.0 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 Indianola, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Indianola on MySchoolScout is Irving Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Indianola, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Indianola on MySchoolScout is Irving Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Indianola, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Indianola on MySchoolScout is Indianola Middle School with a composite score of 6.3/10.
What is the best high school in Indianola, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Indianola on MySchoolScout is Indianola High School with a composite score of 5.3/10.
How many school districts serve Indianola, Iowa?
Indianola is served by 1 school district: Indianola Comm School District.
What is the education level in Indianola, Iowa?
According to Census data, 34% of adults in Indianola have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Indianola, Iowa?
The median household income in Indianola is approximately $86,463 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Indianola, Iowa?
Yes, Indianola has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Victory Christian Academy with a score of 3.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Indianola, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Indianola is 14.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Indianola, 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.