Best Schools in Johnston, Iowa
8 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Johnston?
Use this page to compare every school in Johnston 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.
Henry a Wallace Elementary School
Elementary · Johnston Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Summit Middle School
Middle · Johnston Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lawson Elementary School
Elementary · Johnston 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 Johnston for 2026 are Henry a Wallace Elementary School (7.5/10), Summit Middle School (6.9/10), and Lawson Elementary School (6.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
8
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$347,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$347,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 6.8/10 despite 38% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.2 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Johnston schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Johnston
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Henry a Wallace Elementary School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Summit Middle School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Lawson Elementary School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Timber Ridge Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Johnston Senior High School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Beaver Creek Elementary School | 5.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Johnston Middle School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Horizon Elementary | 4.8 / 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
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $103,316
- Median home value
- $347,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 58%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
13% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Johnston compares
Iowa rank
#124 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$103k
136% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Johnston, Iowa
Johnston, Iowa is home to 8 schools, including 8 public schools. 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 Johnston 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 Johnston is Henry a Wallace Elementary School with a composite score of 7.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Johnston is served by 1 school district: Johnston Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 7,480 students.
Johnston's community shows 58% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $103,316. The poverty rate in the area is 7.6%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 826 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 |
| 2 | 595 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.8 |
| 3 | 663 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 |
| 4 | 564 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.4 |
| 5 | 673 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.8 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,135 students · 6th–7th | 6.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,771 students · 10th–12th | 5.7 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,200 students · 8th–9th | 5.1 |
Schools in Johnston
Johnston, Iowa · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$103,316
Median Home Value
$347,100
Median Rent
$1,284/mo
Population
24,388
College Educated
58%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Community Profile
Johnston has a median household income of $103,316. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $347,100, with a median rent of $1,284/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 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 Johnston, Iowa
How many schools are in Johnston, Iowa?
Johnston has 8 schools, including 8 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Johnston, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Johnston 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 Johnston, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Johnston on MySchoolScout is Henry a Wallace Elementary School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Johnston, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Johnston on MySchoolScout is Henry a Wallace Elementary School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Johnston, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Johnston on MySchoolScout is Summit Middle School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best high school in Johnston, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Johnston on MySchoolScout is Johnston Senior High School with a composite score of 5.7/10.
How many school districts serve Johnston, Iowa?
Johnston is served by 1 school district: Johnston Comm School District.
What is the education level in Johnston, Iowa?
According to Census data, 58% of adults in Johnston have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Johnston, Iowa?
The median household income in Johnston is approximately $103,316 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Johnston, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Johnston is 16.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Johnston, 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.