Linn County Schools & Education
Linn County, Iowa
School Score
63/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
92.8%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
92.8%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 92.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,511
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,591
School Score
63/100
Higher = better
State avg 61/100
State School Rank
#52
of 99 counties (1 = best)
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Education Overview
About Schools in Linn County, Iowa
A Large Scale Educational Network
Linn County manages a massive infrastructure of 79 public schools across 11 districts, serving 36,317 students. The system includes 43 elementary, 18 middle, and 14 high schools, representing one of the largest networks in the state. This expansive framework provides a wide variety of academic paths for families in the region.
High Graduation Rates and Efficient Spending
The county boasts a 92.8% graduation rate, which exceeds both the Iowa state average of 92.3% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. While per-pupil expenditure is a modest $7,511—trailing the national $13,000 average—the school score of 56.1 remains above the state and national medians. These figures suggest a high return on educational investment for local taxpayers.
Cedar Rapids and Linn-Mar Lead the Way
Cedar Rapids Community School District serves as the county's anchor with 15,289 students across 33 schools. Linn-Mar and College Community districts also represent significant hubs, enrolling 7,611 and 5,709 students respectively. Notably, there are no charter schools in the county, with all students served by traditional public districts.
Diverse Learning Environments from City to Rural
The county offers a diverse locale mix with 42 schools in city settings and 15 in rural areas. Linn-Mar High School is the largest campus with 2,271 students, while the average school size across the county stands at 466. This variety allows parents to choose between large-scale urban high schools and smaller, more intimate rural settings.
Building a Future in Linn County
Families prioritize school quality when choosing where to live, and Linn County's strong performance makes it a premier destination. Explore homes near top-rated districts like Linn-Mar or Cedar Rapids to secure a place in these high-achieving communities. Your next home is just a step away from a top-tier education.
School Overview
Total Schools
79
in Linn County
Total Enrollment
36,317
students
School Districts
11
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Type Breakdown
11 School Districts in Linn County
Cedar Rapids Comm School District
Linn-Mar Comm School District
College Comm School District
Marion Independent School District
Center Point-Urbana Comm School District
Mount Vernon Comm School District
Alburnett Comm School District
Lisbon Comm School District
North Linn Comm School District
Springville Comm School District
79 Public Schools in Linn County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linn-Mar High School | Linn-Mar Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 2,271 |
| John F Kennedy High School | Cedar Rapids Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 1,714 |
| Thomas Jefferson High School | Cedar Rapids Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 1,543 |
| Prairie Point | College Comm School District | 7–9 | Middle | 1,324 |
| Prairie High School | College Comm School District | 10–12 | High | 1,298 |
| George Washington High School | Cedar Rapids Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 1,291 |
| Prairie Creek | College Comm School District | 5–6 | Middle | 834 |
| Marion High School | Marion Independent School District | 9–12 | High | 722 |
| Harding Middle School | Cedar Rapids Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 713 |
| Vernon Middle School | Marion Independent School District | 5–8 | Middle | 668 |
| Excelsior Middle School | Linn-Mar Comm School District | 7–8 | Middle | 617 |
| Viola Gibson Elementary School | Cedar Rapids Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 591 |
| Boulder Peak Intermediate School | Linn-Mar Comm School District | 5–6 | Middle | 586 |
| Taft Middle School | Cedar Rapids Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 578 |
| Echo Hill Elementary | Linn-Mar Comm School District | PK–4 | Primary | 544 |
| Hazel Point Intermediate School | Linn-Mar Comm School District | 5–6 | Middle | 540 |
| Franklin Middle School | Cedar Rapids Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 537 |
| Washington Elementary School | Mount Vernon Comm School District | PK–4 | Primary | 537 |
| West Willow Elementary School | Cedar Rapids Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 534 |
| Maple Grove Elementary | Cedar Rapids Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 529 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,511
State avg $7,591
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Linn County, Iowa — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Linn County, Iowa?
Linn County manages a massive infrastructure of 79 public schools across 11 districts, serving 36,317 students. The system includes 43 elementary, 18 middle, and 14 high schools, representing one of the largest networks in the state. This expansive framework provides a wide variety of academic paths for families in the region.
How do schools in Linn County perform academically?
The county boasts a 92.8% graduation rate, which exceeds both the Iowa state average of 92.3% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. While per-pupil expenditure is a modest $7,511—trailing the national $13,000 average—the school score of 56.1 remains above the state and national medians. These figures suggest a high return on educational investment for local taxpayers.
What are the major school districts in Linn County, Iowa?
Cedar Rapids Community School District serves as the county's anchor with 15,289 students across 33 schools. Linn-Mar and College Community districts also represent significant hubs, enrolling 7,611 and 5,709 students respectively. Notably, there are no charter schools in the county, with all students served by traditional public districts.
What is the school experience like in Linn County?
The county offers a diverse locale mix with 42 schools in city settings and 15 in rural areas. Linn-Mar High School is the largest campus with 2,271 students, while the average school size across the county stands at 466. This variety allows parents to choose between large-scale urban high schools and smaller, more intimate rural settings.
How can I find homes near good schools in Linn County, Iowa?
Families prioritize school quality when choosing where to live, and Linn County's strong performance makes it a premier destination. Explore homes near top-rated districts like Linn-Mar or Cedar Rapids to secure a place in these high-achieving communities. Your next home is just a step away from a top-tier education.
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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.