For the 2024-25 school year, there are 143 public schools serving 84,817 students in Polk County, IA (there are 33 private schools, serving 8,827 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Polk County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Polk County, IA are North Ridge Elementary School, Henry A Wallace Elementary School and Prairie Trail Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Polk County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Polk County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Polk County (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
North Ridge Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
400 Nw 27th St
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-5674
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-5674
Grades: K-4
| 427 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Henry A Wallace Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
6207 Nw 62nd Ave
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6977
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6977
Grades: PK-5
| 876 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Prairie Trail Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1850 Sw College Ave
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9605
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9605
Grades: K-5
| 571 students
Rank: #44.
Northeast Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1705 Ne Trilein Dr
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9620
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9620
Grades: K-5
| 655 students
Rank: #55.
Webster Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
12955 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Grades: PK-5
| 510 students
Rank: #66.
Shuler Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
16400 Douglas Parkway
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 987-8597
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 987-8597
Grades: K-5
| 658 students
Rank: #77.
Ashland Ridge Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2600 Nw Ash Drive
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9594
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9594
Grades: K-5
| 759 students
Rank: #88.
Mitchellville Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
308 Elm Ave Nw
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Grades: PK-5
| 242 students
Rank: #99.
Walnut Hills Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4240 156th St
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 987-3585
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 987-3585
Grades: K-5
| 625 students
Rank: #1010.
North Polk High School
Magnet School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
13930 Ne 6th St
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Grades: 9-12
| 647 students
Rank: #1111.
Crocker Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2910 Sw Applewood St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9710
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9710
Grades: K-5
| 500 students
Rank: #1212.
North Polk Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
315 Ne 141st Ave.
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Grades: 6-8
| 455 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
North Polk West Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1400 W Broadway
Polk City, IA 50226
(515) 984-3400
Polk City, IA 50226
(515) 984-3400
Grades: PK-2
| 426 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Runnells Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6575 Se 116th Street
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Grades: PK-5
| 269 students
Rank: #1515.
North Polk Central Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
311 Ne 141st Ave
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Grades: PK-5
| 342 students
Rank: #1616.
Summit Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
9500 Windsor Parkway
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Grades: 6-7
| 1,112 students
Rank: #1717.
Southview Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1020 Sw Cherry St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9635
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9635
Grades: 8-9
| 896 students
Rank: #1818.
Cowles Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6401 College Ave
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 242-7818
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 242-7818
Grades: PK-8
| 391 students
Rank: #1919.
Brookview Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8000 E.p. True Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-5166
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-5166
Grades: K-5
| 603 students
Rank: #2020.
Parkview Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
105 Nw Pleasant St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9640
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9640
Grades: 6-7
| 867 students
Rank: #2121.
Radiant Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5050 170th St
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 987-5161
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 987-5161
Grades: K-5
| 682 students
Rank: #2222.
Maple Grove Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1455 98th St
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-3363
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-3363
Grades: K-5
| 439 students
Rank: #2323.
Ankeny High School
Magnet School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1155 Sw Cherry St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9630
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9630
Grades: 10-12
| 1,347 students
Rank: #2424.
Prairie Ridge Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1010 Nw Prairie Ridge Dr
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9705
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9705
Grades: 6-7
| 1,025 students
Rank: #2525.
Northview Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1302 N Ankeny Blvd
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9700
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9700
Grades: 8-9
| 1,065 students
Rank: #2626.
Rock Creek Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3800 Nw Abilene Rd
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9629
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9629
Grades: K-5
| 732 students
Rank: #2727.
Beaver Creek Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
8701 Lyndhurst
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6228
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6228
Grades: K-5
| 571 students
Rank: #2828.
Valerius Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6301 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-6500
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-6500
Grades: K-5
| 277 students
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Altoona Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
301 6th St Sw
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-3771
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-3771
Grades: PK-5
| 419 students
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Heritage Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
500 Ne Beaverbrooke Blvd
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 300-9627
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 300-9627
Grades: PK-4
| 586 students
Rank: #3131.
Westwood Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2920 Nw 9th St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9690
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9690
Grades: K-5
| 642 students
Rank: #3232.
Ankeny Centennial High School
Magnet School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2220 Nw State St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9610
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9610
Grades: 10-12
| 1,443 students
Rank: #3333.
Timber Ridge Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7370 Nw 54th Ave
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 331-4379
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 331-4379
Grades: K-5
| 662 students
Rank: #3434.
Dallas Center-grimes Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1400 Vine Street
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 992-4343
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 992-4343
Grades: 5-6
| 527 students
Rank: #3535.
Clay Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3200 First Avenue S.
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-4198
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-4198
Grades: PK-5
| 657 students
Show 100 more public schools in Polk County, IA (out of 143 total schools)
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Polk County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
3720 E 29th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8401
Grades: PK-5
| 337 students
Bridges (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
1800 Grand
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-7552
Grades: 6-12
| 25 students
1801 16th St
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8645
Grades: PK
| 99 students
1020 8th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6300
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6300
Grades: K-6
| 259 students
3353 240th Street
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-9747
Grades: 9-12
| 458 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 7-12
| 2 students
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
Des Moines Public Charter School (Closed 2013)
Charter School
620 8th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7911
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7911
Grades: 7-9
| 117 students
918 Se 11th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Grades: PK-K
| 15 students
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Grades: K-5
| 10 students
6401 College Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 242-7795
Grades: 6-8
| 21 students
1800 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7846
Grades: 6-12
| 118 students
1000 Porter Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Grades: PK-5
| 547 students
The Harbor-southeast Polk Alternative School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
1301 First Ave N
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 957-8811
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 957-8811
Grades: 9-12
| 57 students
800 42nd St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8414
Grades: K-5
| 309 students
6301 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 457-5100
Grades: K-5
| 354 students
2115 E 39th Street
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8418
Grades: PK-5
| 207 students
1001 Amos Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7588
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-7588
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Metro West Learning Academy (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
11500 Nw 54th Ave
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-3171
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-3171
Grades: 9-12
| 18 students
2905 Ne 46th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 266-3109
Grades: 4-5
| 198 students
925 Sw Porter
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Grades: K-5
| 11 students
Orchard Place School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
5412 Sw 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700
Grades: K-12
| 66 students
415 7th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6600
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6600
Grades: PK-3
| 180 students
Ruby Van Meter School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
710 28th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8220
Grades: 6-12
| 135 students
Scavo Alternative High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1800 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7589
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 242-7589
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Smouse Opportunity School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
2820 Center St
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8210
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 242-8210
Grades: PK-8
| 94 students
310 Nw School St
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9670
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9670
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
1401 E 12th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8437
Grades: PK-5
| 368 students
Youth Homes Of Middle America (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
7085 Nw Beaver Dr
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 276-3473
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 276-3473
Grades: 6-12
| 30 students
1101 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 246-1800
Grades: PK-K
| 18 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Polk County, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Polk County, IA include North Ridge Elementary School, Henry A Wallace Elementary School and Prairie Trail Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Polk County?
143 public schools are located in Polk County.
What percentage of students in Polk County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Polk County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County?
Polk County public schools minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Polk County include: Indian Hills Junior High School vs. Urbandale Middle School, Mitchell Early Childhood Center vs. Mckee Elementary School, Callanan Middle School vs. Merrill Middle School
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