For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 6,888 students in Wapello County, IA (there are 2 private schools, serving 175 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Wapello County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Wapello County, IA are Eisenhower Elementary School, Eddyville Elementary School and Horace Mann Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wapello County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Wapello County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Wapello County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Eisenhower Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2624 Marilyn Rd
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-5617
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-5617
Grades: K-5
| 243 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Eddyville Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
702 Vance Street
Eddyville, IA 52553
(641) 969-4281
Eddyville, IA 52553
(641) 969-4281
Grades: PK-6
| 277 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Horace Mann Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1523 N Court St
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-4661
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-4661
Grades: K-5
| 251 students
Rank: #44.
Blakesburg Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
407 S Wilson
Blakesburg, IA 52536
(641) 938-2203
Blakesburg, IA 52536
(641) 938-2203
Grades: PK-6
| 97 students
Rank: #55.
Cardinal Junior High School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4045 Ashland Road
Eldon, IA 52554
(641) 652-7531
Eldon, IA 52554
(641) 652-7531
Grades: 5-8
| 301 students
Rank: #66.
Cardinal Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5414 Hwy 16
Eldon, IA 52554
(641) 652-3591
Eldon, IA 52554
(641) 652-3591
Grades: PK-4
| 529 students
Rank: #77.
Eddyville-blakesburg-fremont Jr/sr High School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1301 Berdan St
Eddyville, IA 52553
(641) 969-4288
Eddyville, IA 52553
(641) 969-4288
Grades: 7-12
| 425 students
Rank: #88.
Evans Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
812 Chester Avenue
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-6511
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-6511
Grades: 7-8
| 689 students
Rank: #99.
Cardinal High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4045 Ashland Rd
Eldon, IA 52554
(641) 652-7531
Eldon, IA 52554
(641) 652-7531
Grades: 9-12
| 277 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
James Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1001 N Benton
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-5411
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-5411
Grades: K-5
| 228 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Wilson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1102 E. 4th St.
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-5441
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-5441
Grades: K-5
| 343 students
Rank: #1212.
Ottumwa High School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
501 E 2nd
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 683-4444
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 683-4444
Grades: 9-12
| 1,239 students
Rank: #1313.
Liberty Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
50 Traxler Drive
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 682-4502
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 682-4502
Grades: 3-6
| 764 students
Rank: #1414.
Ottumwa Virtual Learning
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1112 N Van Buren
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-6597
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-6597
Grades: PK-12
| 57 students
Rank: n/an/a
307 W. Mary St.
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-4668
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-4668
Grades: 1-2
| 345 students
Rank: n/an/a
907 Gateway Drive
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-6597
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-6597
Grades: 9-12
| 230 students
Rank: n/an/a
1306 W Williams
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-7179
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-7179
Grades: PK-K
| 593 students
Wapello County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
608 East Williams
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-7179
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 684-7179
Grades: PK-5
| 257 students
Alternative School Ottumwa Community School District (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
907 Gateway Dr
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 683-1342
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 683-1342
Grades: 9-12
| 100 students
Eddyville Alternative School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
1301 Berdan St
Blakesburg, IA 52536
(641) 969-4288
Blakesburg, IA 52536
(641) 969-4288
Grades: 9-12
| 7 students
407 South Wilson
Blakesburg, IA 52536
(641) 938-2203
Blakesburg, IA 52536
(641) 938-2203
Grades: 7-8
| n/a students
1306 West Williams
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 682-4502
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 682-4502
Grades: PK-5
| 258 students
438 Mckinley
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 683-1843
Ottumwa, IA 52501
(641) 683-1843
Grades: K-5
| 348 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Wapello County, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Wapello County, IA include Eisenhower Elementary School, Eddyville Elementary School and Horace Mann Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Wapello County?
17 public schools are located in Wapello County.
What percentage of students in Wapello County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Wapello County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Wapello County?
Wapello County public schools minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Wapello County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Wapello County include: Cardinal High School vs. Ottumwa High School, Ottumwa High School vs. Cardinal High School, Eisenhower Elementary School vs. Cardinal Elementary School
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