Howard County Schools & Education
Howard County, Iowa
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
79/100
Higher = better
Rating
High Performing
Graduation Rate
95.7%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
95.7%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 92.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,133
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,591
School Score
79/100
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
#3
of 99 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Howard County
School Verdict
Howard County is a high-performing district with a school score of 79/100 and a graduation rate of 95.7%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.
Funding Context
Howard County spends $8,133 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 Howard County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 29% above the Iowa average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.4 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 7% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Howard County, Iowa
Five Schools Serve Howard County Students
Howard County operates five public schools for a total enrollment of 1,446 students. These schools are split between two districts, Howard-Winneshiek and Riceville, providing a focused educational network.
High Scores and Exceptional Graduation Rates
The county achieves a 59.0 school score, which is notably higher than the state average of 56.0. Graduation rates reach 95.7%, while per-pupil spending of $8,133 exceeds the Iowa average of $7,591.
Howard-Winneshiek District Dominates Enrollment
The Howard-Winneshiek Community School District is the largest, enrolling 1,040 students across three facilities. Traditional public schools make up 100% of the landscape, as there are no charter schools in the county.
Mid-Sized Schools in a Town Setting
Three of the five schools are located in town settings, while two remain rural. Crestwood High School is the largest facility with 559 students, while the Cresco Early Childhood Center provides a small start with just 56 students.
Relocate for Superior Academic Results
Howard County's high school scores and graduation rates are among the best in the region. Explore housing options near Cresco or Riceville to give your children access to these top-performing Iowa schools.
School Overview
Total Schools
5
in Howard County
Total Enrollment
1,446
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 Howard County
Howard-Winneshiek Comm School District
Riceville Comm School District
5 Public Schools in Howard County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crestwood High School | Howard-Winneshiek Comm School District | 7–12 | High | 559 |
| Crestwood Elementary School | Howard-Winneshiek Comm School District | KG–6 | Primary | 425 |
| Riceville Elementary School | Riceville Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 211 |
| Riceville High School | Riceville Comm School District | 6–12 | High | 195 |
| Cresco Early Childhood Development Center | Howard-Winneshiek Comm School District | PK | Other | 56 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,133
State avg $7,591
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Howard County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Howard County?
How much does Howard County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Howard County, Iowa — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Howard County, Iowa?
Howard County operates five public schools for a total enrollment of 1,446 students. These schools are split between two districts, Howard-Winneshiek and Riceville, providing a focused educational network.
How do schools in Howard County perform academically?
The county achieves a 59.0 school score, which is notably higher than the state average of 56.0. Graduation rates reach 95.7%, while per-pupil spending of $8,133 exceeds the Iowa average of $7,591.
What are the major school districts in Howard County, Iowa?
The Howard-Winneshiek Community School District is the largest, enrolling 1,040 students across three facilities. Traditional public schools make up 100% of the landscape, as there are no charter schools in the county.
What is the school experience like in Howard County?
Three of the five schools are located in town settings, while two remain rural. Crestwood High School is the largest facility with 559 students, while the Cresco Early Childhood Center provides a small start with just 56 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Howard County, Iowa?
Howard County's high school scores and graduation rates are among the best in the region. Explore housing options near Cresco or Riceville to give your children access to these top-performing Iowa schools.
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.