Best Schools in Spirit Lake, Iowa
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Spirit Lake?
Use this page to compare every school in Spirit Lake 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.
Spirit Lake Elementary School
Elementary · Spirit Lake Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Spirit Lake Middle School
Middle · Spirit Lake Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Spirit Lake High School
High · Spirit Lake 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 Spirit Lake for 2026 are Spirit Lake Elementary School (7.5/10), Spirit Lake Middle School (6.5/10), and Spirit Lake High School (5.1/10), 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
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$256,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$256,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Spirit Lake
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 | Spirit Lake Elementary School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Spirit Lake Middle School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Spirit Lake High School | 5.1 / 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
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $77,464
- Median home value
- $256,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35%
- Avg commute
- 15 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Spirit Lake compares
Iowa rank
#97 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$77k
102% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Spirit Lake, Iowa
Spirit Lake, 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 6.4 out of 10, schools in Spirit Lake 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 Spirit Lake is Spirit Lake Elementary School with a composite score of 7.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Spirit Lake is served by 1 school district: Spirit Lake Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 1,328 students.
Spirit Lake's community shows 35% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $77,464. The poverty rate in the area is 6.9%.
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 | 568 students · Pre-K–4th | 7.5 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 364 students · 5th–8th | 6.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 396 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 |
Schools in Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake, Iowa · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$77,464
Median Home Value
$256,000
Median Rent
$1,005/mo
Population
8,561
College Educated
35%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
15 min
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Community Profile
Spirit Lake has a median household income of $77,464. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $256,000, with a median rent of $1,005/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 Spirit Lake, Iowa
How many schools are in Spirit Lake, Iowa?
Spirit Lake has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Spirit Lake, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Spirit Lake is 6.4 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 Spirit Lake, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Spirit Lake on MySchoolScout is Spirit Lake Elementary School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Spirit Lake, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Spirit Lake on MySchoolScout is Spirit Lake Elementary School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Spirit Lake, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Spirit Lake on MySchoolScout is Spirit Lake Middle School with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best high school in Spirit Lake, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Spirit Lake on MySchoolScout is Spirit Lake High School with a composite score of 5.1/10.
How many school districts serve Spirit Lake, Iowa?
Spirit Lake is served by 1 school district: Spirit Lake Comm School District.
What is the education level in Spirit Lake, Iowa?
According to Census data, 35% of adults in Spirit Lake have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Spirit Lake, Iowa?
The median household income in Spirit Lake is approximately $77,464 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Spirit Lake, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Spirit Lake is 15.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Spirit Lake, 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.