Clarke County Schools & Education
Clarke County, Iowa
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
65/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
91.7%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
91.7%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 92.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,153
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,591
School Score
65/100
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
#45
of 99 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Clarke County
School Verdict
Clarke County performs at an average level with a school score of 65/100 and a solid graduation rate of 91.7%.
Funding Context
Clarke County spends $8,153 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Clarke County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 6% above the Iowa average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.6 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 7% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Clarke County, Iowa
The School Landscape of Clarke
Clarke County operates five public schools within two primary districts, serving 1,656 students. The system is split into two elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. This streamlined infrastructure provides a clear path for students from kindergarten through graduation.
Funding and Performance Metrics
The county spends $8,153 per pupil, which is well above the Iowa state average of $7,591. The graduation rate currently stands at 91.7%, just below the state average but significantly higher than the 87.0% national benchmark. A composite school score of 56.9 indicates that the county performs slightly better than the typical Iowa school.
Core Districts in Clarke
The Clarke Community School District is the dominant provider, serving 1,358 students across its three schools. Murray Community School District serves the remaining students in the county with two local schools. There are no charter schools, keeping the focus on these two established community districts.
Balanced Town and Rural Schools
The county features a mix of three town-based schools and two rural facilities, offering diverse environments for students. Clarke Community Elementary is the largest school with 611 students, while Murray Elementary is the smallest with only 148. This range allows families to choose between a larger town experience or a very intimate rural setting.
Investing in Clarke County Real Estate
Homebuyers in Clarke County benefit from high per-pupil spending that supports modern educational resources. The strong graduation rates and small district feel are significant advantages for growing families. Explore the housing market near Osceola or Murray to find your place in this dedicated community.
School Overview
Total Schools
5
in Clarke County
Total Enrollment
1,656
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Clarke County
Clarke Comm School District
Murray Comm School District
5 Public Schools in Clarke County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarke Community Elementary School | Clarke Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 611 |
| Clarke Community High School | Clarke Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 442 |
| Clarke Middle School | Clarke Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 305 |
| Murray Jr/Sr High | Murray Comm School District | 6–12 | High | 150 |
| Murray Elementary School | Murray Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 148 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,153
State avg $7,591
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Clarke County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Clarke County?
How much does Clarke County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Clarke County, Iowa — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Clarke County, Iowa?
Clarke County operates five public schools within two primary districts, serving 1,656 students. The system is split into two elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. This streamlined infrastructure provides a clear path for students from kindergarten through graduation.
How do schools in Clarke County perform academically?
The county spends $8,153 per pupil, which is well above the Iowa state average of $7,591. The graduation rate currently stands at 91.7%, just below the state average but significantly higher than the 87.0% national benchmark. A composite school score of 56.9 indicates that the county performs slightly better than the typical Iowa school.
What are the major school districts in Clarke County, Iowa?
The Clarke Community School District is the dominant provider, serving 1,358 students across its three schools. Murray Community School District serves the remaining students in the county with two local schools. There are no charter schools, keeping the focus on these two established community districts.
What is the school experience like in Clarke County?
The county features a mix of three town-based schools and two rural facilities, offering diverse environments for students. Clarke Community Elementary is the largest school with 611 students, while Murray Elementary is the smallest with only 148. This range allows families to choose between a larger town experience or a very intimate rural setting.
How can I find homes near good schools in Clarke County, Iowa?
Homebuyers in Clarke County benefit from high per-pupil spending that supports modern educational resources. The strong graduation rates and small district feel are significant advantages for growing families. Explore the housing market near Osceola or Murray to find your place in this dedicated community.
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.