Des Moines County Schools & Education
Des Moines County, Iowa
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
38/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
82.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
82.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 92.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,821
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,591
School Score
38/100
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
#97
of 99 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Des Moines County
School Verdict
Des Moines County faces educational challenges with a school score of 38/100 and a graduation rate of 82.9%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,821 per pupil, Des Moines County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Des Moines County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 37% below the Iowa average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 9.4 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Des Moines County, Iowa
Extensive Infrastructure in the Heartland
Des Moines County hosts 15 public schools serving 5,880 students across four districts. The system includes seven elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools to provide comprehensive local coverage.
Consistent Investment Amid Challenges
Per-pupil expenditure of $7,821 exceeds the state average, yet the graduation rate of 82.9% remains below the national 87% mark. The county maintains a school score of 51.6 as it works to improve outcomes through dedicated funding.
Burlington Community Schools Command Enrollment
The Burlington Community School District is the largest by far, managing eight schools and 3,334 students. All local education is provided through traditional public districts as no charter schools are currently active.
Town-Centered School Culture
Ten schools are located in town settings while five remain rural, creating an average school size of 392 students. Burlington Community High School stands out as the major local hub with 1,092 students.
Strategic Housing Near Town Schools
Des Moines County offers a variety of town-based and rural school options for growing families. For those prioritizing school proximity, homes near Burlington's central schools offer convenient access to the county's largest educational facilities.
School Overview
Total Schools
15
in Des Moines County
Total Enrollment
5,880
students
School Districts
4
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
4 School Districts in Des Moines County
Burlington Comm School District
Mediapolis Comm School District
West Burlington Ind School District
Danville Comm School District
15 Public Schools in Des Moines County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington Community High School | Burlington Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 1,092 |
| Edward Stone Middle School | Burlington Comm School District | 7–8 | Middle | 489 |
| West Burlington Arnold Jr./Sr. High School | West Burlington Ind School District | 6–12 | High | 487 |
| Aldo Leopold Intermediate School | Burlington Comm School District | 5–6 | Middle | 464 |
| Mediapolis Elementary School | Mediapolis Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 446 |
| West Burlington Elem School | West Burlington Ind School District | PK–5 | Primary | 429 |
| Danville Elementary School | Danville Comm School District | PK–6 | Primary | 376 |
| Black Hawk Elementary School | Burlington Comm School District | KG–4 | Primary | 316 |
| Mediapolis High School | Mediapolis Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 295 |
| Danville Junior-Senior High School | Danville Comm School District | 7–12 | High | 286 |
| Sunnyside Elementary School | Burlington Comm School District | KG–4 | Primary | 277 |
| James Wilson Grimes School | Burlington Comm School District | KG–4 | Primary | 269 |
| North Hill Elementary School | Burlington Comm School District | KG–4 | Primary | 249 |
| Mediapolis Middle School | Mediapolis Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 227 |
| Corse Early Childhood Center | Burlington Comm School District | PK | Other | 178 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,821
State avg $7,591
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Des Moines County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Des Moines County?
How much does Des Moines County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Des Moines County, Iowa — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Des Moines County, Iowa?
Des Moines County hosts 15 public schools serving 5,880 students across four districts. The system includes seven elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools to provide comprehensive local coverage.
How do schools in Des Moines County perform academically?
Per-pupil expenditure of $7,821 exceeds the state average, yet the graduation rate of 82.9% remains below the national 87% mark. The county maintains a school score of 51.6 as it works to improve outcomes through dedicated funding.
What are the major school districts in Des Moines County, Iowa?
The Burlington Community School District is the largest by far, managing eight schools and 3,334 students. All local education is provided through traditional public districts as no charter schools are currently active.
What is the school experience like in Des Moines County?
Ten schools are located in town settings while five remain rural, creating an average school size of 392 students. Burlington Community High School stands out as the major local hub with 1,092 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Des Moines County, Iowa?
Des Moines County offers a variety of town-based and rural school options for growing families. For those prioritizing school proximity, homes near Burlington's central schools offer convenient access to the county's largest educational facilities.
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.