Best Schools in Manchester, Iowa
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Manchester?
Use this page to compare every school in Manchester 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 Delaware Middle School
Middle · West Delaware County Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
West Delaware High School
High · West Delaware County Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lambert Elementary School
Elementary · West Delaware County 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 Manchester for 2026 are West Delaware Middle School (9.2/10), West Delaware High School (8.1/10), and Lambert Elementary School (6.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 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
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$168,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$168,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Manchester
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Delaware Middle School | 9.2 / 10 |
| 2 | West Delaware High School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Lambert Elementary School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 4 | St Mary School | 5.0 / 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
- 7.3/10
- Median household income
- $71,467
- Median home value
- $168,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 81%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Manchester compares
Iowa rank
#38 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.0
above Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$71k
94% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Manchester, Iowa
Manchester, Iowa is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.3 out of 10, schools in Manchester perform strongly 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 Manchester is West Delaware Middle School with a composite score of 9.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Manchester is served by 1 school district: West Delaware County Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 1,323 students.
Manchester's community shows 23% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $71,467. The poverty rate in the area is 9.8%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 465 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.9 | ||
| 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 | St Mary School
Private
203 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.0 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 372 students · 5th–8th | 9.2 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 466 students · 9th–12th | 8.1 |
Schools in Manchester
Manchester, Iowa · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$71,467
Median Home Value
$168,800
Median Rent
$737/mo
Population
7,883
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
81%
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Community Profile
Manchester has a median household income of $71,467. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,800, with a median rent of $737/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
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 Manchester, Iowa
How many schools are in Manchester, Iowa?
Manchester has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Manchester, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Manchester is 7.3 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 Manchester, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Manchester on MySchoolScout is West Delaware Middle School with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Manchester, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Manchester on MySchoolScout is Lambert Elementary School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Manchester, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Manchester on MySchoolScout is West Delaware Middle School with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best high school in Manchester, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Manchester on MySchoolScout is West Delaware High School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
How many school districts serve Manchester, Iowa?
Manchester is served by 1 school district: West Delaware County Comm School District.
What is the education level in Manchester, Iowa?
According to Census data, 23% of adults in Manchester have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Manchester, Iowa?
The median household income in Manchester is approximately $71,467 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Manchester, Iowa?
Yes, Manchester has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Mary School with a score of 5.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Manchester, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Manchester is 13.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Manchester, 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.