Best Schools in Kalona, Iowa
5 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Kalona?
Use this page to compare every school in Kalona 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.
Hillcrest Academy
High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Hillcrest Academy
High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mid-prairie Middle School
Middle · Mid-prairie 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 Kalona for 2026 are Hillcrest Academy (7.9/10), Hillcrest Academy (6.8/10), and Mid-prairie Middle School (6.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
2 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$257,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
2 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$257,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Kalona
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillcrest Academy | 7.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Hillcrest Academy | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Mid-prairie Middle School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Mid-prairie East Elementary School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Pathway Christian School | 3.3 / 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
- $82,140
- Median home value
- $257,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 33%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 75%
20% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Kalona compares
Iowa rank
#119 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$82k
108% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Kalona, Iowa
Kalona, Iowa is home to 5 schools, including 2 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Kalona 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 Kalona is Hillcrest Academy with a composite score of 7.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Kalona is served by 1 school district: Mid-Prairie Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 1,418 students.
Kalona's community shows 33% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $82,140. The poverty rate in the area is 5.1%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 280 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 5.8 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 410 students · 5th–8th | 6.6 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillcrest Academy
Private
64 students · 9th–12th | 7.9 |
| 2 | Hillcrest Academy
Private
64 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pathway Christian School
Private
82 students · Kindergarten–12th | 3.3 |
Schools in Kalona
Kalona, Iowa · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$82,140
Median Home Value
$257,400
Median Rent
$806/mo
Population
5,301
College Educated
33%
Homeownership
75%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Community Profile
Kalona has a median household income of $82,140. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $257,400, with a median rent of $806/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% 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
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- 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 Kalona, Iowa
How many schools are in Kalona, Iowa?
Kalona has 5 schools, including 2 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Kalona, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Kalona 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 Kalona, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Kalona on MySchoolScout is Hillcrest Academy with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Kalona, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Kalona on MySchoolScout is Mid-prairie East Elementary School with a composite score of 5.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Kalona, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Kalona on MySchoolScout is Mid-prairie Middle School with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best high school in Kalona, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Kalona on MySchoolScout is Hillcrest Academy with a composite score of 7.9/10.
How many school districts serve Kalona, Iowa?
Kalona is served by 1 school district: Mid-prairie Comm School District.
What is the education level in Kalona, Iowa?
According to Census data, 33% of adults in Kalona have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Kalona, Iowa?
The median household income in Kalona is approximately $82,140 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Kalona, Iowa?
Yes, Kalona has 3 private schools alongside 2 public schools. The top-rated private school is Hillcrest Academy with a score of 7.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Kalona, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Kalona is 24.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Kalona, 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.