Best Schools in Spencer, Iowa
7 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Spencer?
Use this page to compare every school in Spencer 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.
Spencer Middle School
Middle · Spencer Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Sacred Heart School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Spencer High School
High · Spencer 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 Spencer for 2026 are Spencer Middle School (7.8/10), Sacred Heart School (6.8/10), and Spencer High School (6.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$180,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$180,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Spencer
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spencer Middle School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Sacred Heart School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Spencer High School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Lincoln Elementary School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Fairview Park Elementary | 4.4 / 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
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $61,175
- Median home value
- $180,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28%
- Avg commute
- 17 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 70%
29% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Spencer compares
Iowa rank
#89 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$61k
80% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Spencer, Iowa
Spencer, Iowa is home to 7 schools, including 5 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.5 out of 10, schools in Spencer 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 Spencer is Johnson Elementary with a composite score of 7.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Spencer is served by 1 school district: Spencer Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 2,267 students.
Spencer's community shows 28% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $61,175. The poverty rate in the area is 13.0%.
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 | 217 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 7.9 | ||
| 2 | 462 students · 3rd–5th | 5.8 | ||
| 3 | 262 students · 1st–2nd | 4.4 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Sacred Heart School
Private
143 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School
Private
92 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.2 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 502 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 718 students · 9th–12th | 6.4 |
Schools in Spencer
Spencer, Iowa · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$61,175
Median Home Value
$180,400
Median Rent
$796/mo
Population
12,402
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
70%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
13.0%
Community Profile
Spencer has a median household income of $61,175. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,400, with a median rent of $796/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 Spencer, Iowa
How many schools are in Spencer, Iowa?
Spencer has 7 schools, including 5 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Spencer, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Spencer is 6.5 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 Spencer, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Spencer on MySchoolScout is Spencer Middle School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Spencer, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Spencer on MySchoolScout is Sacred Heart School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Spencer, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Spencer on MySchoolScout is Spencer Middle School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best high school in Spencer, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Spencer on MySchoolScout is Spencer High School with a composite score of 6.4/10.
How many school districts serve Spencer, Iowa?
Spencer is served by 1 school district: Spencer Comm School District.
What is the education level in Spencer, Iowa?
According to Census data, 28% of adults in Spencer have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Spencer, Iowa?
The median household income in Spencer is approximately $61,175 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Spencer, Iowa?
Yes, Spencer has 2 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Sacred Heart School with a score of 6.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Spencer, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Spencer is 13.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Spencer, 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.