Best Schools in Washington, Iowa
5 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Washington?
Use this page to compare every school in Washington 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.
Stewart Elementary School
Elementary · Washington Comm School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
St James School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Washington Middle School
Middle · Washington 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 Washington for 2026 are Stewart Elementary School (8.1/10), St James School (8.0/10), and Washington Middle School (5.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$155,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$155,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Washington
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stewart Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | St James School | 8.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Washington Middle School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Lincoln Upper Elementary School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Washington High School | 3.1 / 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
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $63,232
- Median home value
- $155,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 19 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 64%
40% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Washington compares
Iowa rank
#125 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$63k
83% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Washington, Iowa
Washington, Iowa is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Washington 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 Washington is Stewart Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Washington is served by 1 school district: Washington Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 1,621 students.
Washington's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $63,232. The poverty rate in the area is 12.9%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 493 students · Pre-K–2nd | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 344 students · 3rd–5th | 5.1 | ||
| 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 James School
Private
71 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.0 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 349 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 435 students · 9th–12th | 3.1 |
Schools in Washington
Washington, Iowa · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$63,232
Median Home Value
$155,700
Median Rent
$912/mo
Population
9,072
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
64%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
12.9%
Community Profile
Washington has a median household income of $63,232. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $155,700, with a median rent of $912/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Iowa
- Elementary
- 3
- 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 Washington, Iowa
How many schools are in Washington, Iowa?
Washington has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Washington, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Washington is 6.0 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 Washington, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Washington on MySchoolScout is Stewart Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Washington, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Washington on MySchoolScout is Stewart Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Washington, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Washington on MySchoolScout is Washington Middle School with a composite score of 5.8/10.
What is the best high school in Washington, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Washington on MySchoolScout is Washington High School with a composite score of 3.1/10.
How many school districts serve Washington, Iowa?
Washington is served by 1 school district: Washington Comm School District.
What is the education level in Washington, Iowa?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Washington have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Washington, Iowa?
The median household income in Washington is approximately $63,232 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Washington, Iowa?
Yes, Washington has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is St James School with a score of 8.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Washington, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Washington is 12.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Washington, 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.