Buena Vista County Schools & Education
Buena Vista County, Iowa
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
27/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
72.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
72.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 92.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,516
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,591
School Score
27/100
Higher = better
State avg 61/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#99
of 99 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Buena Vista County
School Verdict
Buena Vista County faces educational challenges with a school score of 27/100 and a graduation rate of 72.2%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,516 per pupil, Buena Vista County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Buena Vista County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 56% below the Iowa average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 20.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 1% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Buena Vista County, Iowa
A Hub for Regional Learning
Buena Vista County manages 15 public schools and five districts, educating a total of 4,585 students. The system includes a balanced mix of six elementary, three middle, and five high schools.
Investing in Growth and Opportunities
The county spends $7,516 per pupil, nearly matching the Iowa state average of $7,591. While the graduation rate of 72.2% trails national benchmarks, the county is actively utilizing its resources to improve its 45.3 composite school score.
Storm Lake's Central Role
Storm Lake Community School District is the dominant force in the county, educating 2,794 students across six schools. Notably, the county hosts one charter school, which accounts for nearly 7% of its total school inventory.
Town and Rural Dynamics
With an average school size of 306, the county offers a mix of 10 rural schools and five town-based schools. Storm Lake Elementary is the largest at 814 students, while districts like Sioux Central offer a more rural, smaller-school feel.
Diverse Educational Paths for Your Family
Buena Vista County offers unique educational options, including one of the area's few charter programs. When researching your next move, consider the vibrant community schools in Storm Lake or the consolidated rural districts.
School Overview
Total Schools
15
in Buena Vista County
Total Enrollment
4,585
students
School Districts
5
districts
Charter Schools
1
7% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
5 School Districts in Buena Vista County
Storm Lake Comm School District
Alta-Aurelia Comm School District
Sioux Central Comm School District
Newell-Fonda Comm School District
Albert City-Truesdale Comm School District
15 Public Schools in Buena Vista County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storm Lake Elementary | Storm Lake Comm School District | 1–4 | Primary | 814 |
| Storm Lake High School | Storm Lake Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 793 |
| Storm Lake Middle School | Storm Lake Comm School District | 5–8 | Middle | 787 |
| Newell-Fonda Elementary | Newell-Fonda Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 289 |
| Sioux Central High School | Sioux Central Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 274 |
| Storm Lake Early Elementary School | Storm Lake Comm School District | KG | Primary | 245 |
| Sioux Central Elementary School | Sioux Central Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 241 |
| Alta Elementary School | Alta-Aurelia Comm School District | PK–3 | Primary | 237 |
| Alta-Aurelia High School | Alta-Aurelia Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 206 |
| Newell-Fonda High School | Newell-Fonda Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 166 |
| Sioux Central Middle School | Sioux Central Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 141 |
| Newell-Fonda Middle Sch. | Newell-Fonda Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 123 |
| Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School | Albert City-Truesdale Comm School District | PK–6 | Primary | 114 |
| East Early Childhood Ctr | Storm Lake Comm School District | PK | Other | 101 |
| St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS | Storm Lake Comm School District | 12 | Charter | 54 |
Albert City-Truesdale Comm School District
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,516
State avg $7,591
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Buena Vista County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Buena Vista County?
How much does Buena Vista County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Buena Vista County, Iowa — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Buena Vista County, Iowa?
Buena Vista County manages 15 public schools and five districts, educating a total of 4,585 students. The system includes a balanced mix of six elementary, three middle, and five high schools.
How do schools in Buena Vista County perform academically?
The county spends $7,516 per pupil, nearly matching the Iowa state average of $7,591. While the graduation rate of 72.2% trails national benchmarks, the county is actively utilizing its resources to improve its 45.3 composite school score.
What are the major school districts in Buena Vista County, Iowa?
Storm Lake Community School District is the dominant force in the county, educating 2,794 students across six schools. Notably, the county hosts one charter school, which accounts for nearly 7% of its total school inventory.
What is the school experience like in Buena Vista County?
With an average school size of 306, the county offers a mix of 10 rural schools and five town-based schools. Storm Lake Elementary is the largest at 814 students, while districts like Sioux Central offer a more rural, smaller-school feel.
How can I find homes near good schools in Buena Vista County, Iowa?
Buena Vista County offers unique educational options, including one of the area's few charter programs. When researching your next move, consider the vibrant community schools in Storm Lake or the consolidated rural districts.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.