Best Schools in Onawa, Iowa
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Onawa?
Use this page to compare every school in Onawa 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 Monona Middle School
Middle · West Monona Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
West Monona Elementary
Elementary · West Monona Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
West Monona High School
High · West Monona 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 Onawa for 2026 are West Monona Middle School (8.2/10), West Monona Elementary (7.0/10), and West Monona High School (5.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$140,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$140,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Onawa
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Monona Middle School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | West Monona Elementary | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | West Monona High School | 5.8 / 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
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $60,642
- Median home value
- $140,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Onawa compares
Iowa rank
#56 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$61k
80% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Onawa, Iowa
Onawa, Iowa is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.0 out of 10, schools in Onawa 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 Onawa is West Monona Middle School with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Onawa is served by 1 school district: West Monona Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 645 students.
Onawa's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $60,642. The poverty rate in the area is 14.6%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 342 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.0 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 112 students · 6th–8th | 8.2 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 191 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 |
Schools in Onawa
Onawa, Iowa · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$60,642
Median Home Value
$140,400
Median Rent
$828/mo
Population
3,388
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Community Profile
Onawa has a median household income of $60,642. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $140,400, with a median rent of $828/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 1
- 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 Onawa, Iowa
How many schools are in Onawa, Iowa?
Onawa has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Onawa, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Onawa is 7.0 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 Onawa, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Onawa on MySchoolScout is West Monona Middle School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Onawa, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Onawa on MySchoolScout is West Monona Elementary with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Onawa, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Onawa on MySchoolScout is West Monona Middle School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best high school in Onawa, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Onawa on MySchoolScout is West Monona High School with a composite score of 5.8/10.
How many school districts serve Onawa, Iowa?
Onawa is served by 1 school district: West Monona Comm School District.
What is the education level in Onawa, Iowa?
According to Census data, 18% of adults in Onawa have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Onawa, Iowa?
The median household income in Onawa is approximately $60,642 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Onawa, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Onawa is 14.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Onawa, 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.