Best Schools in Urbandale, Iowa
8 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Urbandale?
Use this page to compare every school in Urbandale 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.
Olmsted Elementary School
Elementary · Urbandale Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Walnut Hills Elementary School
Elementary · Waukee Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Radiant Elementary School
Elementary · Waukee 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 Urbandale for 2026 are Olmsted Elementary School (8.4/10), Walnut Hills Elementary School (8.2/10), and Radiant Elementary School (7.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$360,250
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$360,250
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Urbandale
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olmsted Elementary School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Walnut Hills Elementary School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Radiant Elementary School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Webster Elementary School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Karen Acres Elementary School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Urbandale Middle School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Urbandale High School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 8 | St Pius X Catholic School | 4.8 / 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
- $131,491
- Median home value
- $360,250
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 55%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 80%
63% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Urbandale compares
Iowa rank
#58 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$131k
173% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Urbandale, Iowa
Urbandale, Iowa is home to 8 schools, including 7 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.0 out of 10, schools in Urbandale 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 Urbandale is Olmsted Elementary School with a composite score of 8.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Urbandale is served by 2 school districts: Urbandale Comm School District, Waukee Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 17,855 students.
Urbandale's community shows 55% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $131,491. The poverty rate in the area is 5.9%.
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
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 641 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.4 | ||
| 2 | 590 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 3 | 789 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 | ||
| 4 | 546 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 | ||
| 5 | 244 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.4 | ||
| 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 Pius X Catholic School
Private
349 students · Pre-K–8th | 4.8 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 869 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,311 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 |
Schools in Urbandale
Urbandale, Iowa · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$131,491
Median Home Value
$360,250
Median Rent
$1,315/mo
Population
48,759
College Educated
55%
Homeownership
80%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Community Profile
Urbandale has a median household income of $131,491. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $360,250, with a median rent of $1,315/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 6
- 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 Urbandale, Iowa
How many schools are in Urbandale, Iowa?
Urbandale has 8 schools, including 7 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Urbandale, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Urbandale 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 Urbandale, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Urbandale on MySchoolScout is Olmsted Elementary School with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Urbandale, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Urbandale on MySchoolScout is Olmsted Elementary School with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Urbandale, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Urbandale on MySchoolScout is Urbandale Middle School with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best high school in Urbandale, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Urbandale on MySchoolScout is Urbandale High School with a composite score of 5.8/10.
How many school districts serve Urbandale, Iowa?
Urbandale is served by 2 school districts: Urbandale Comm School District, Waukee Comm School District.
What is the education level in Urbandale, Iowa?
According to Census data, 55% of adults in Urbandale have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Urbandale, Iowa?
The median household income in Urbandale is approximately $131,491 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Urbandale, Iowa?
Yes, Urbandale has 1 private school alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Pius X Catholic School with a score of 4.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Urbandale, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Urbandale is 15.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Urbandale, 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.