Winnebago County Schools & Education
Winnebago County, Iowa
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
64/100
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
$7,558
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,591
School Score
64/100
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
#48
of 99 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Winnebago County
School Verdict
Winnebago County performs at an average level with a school score of 64/100 and a solid graduation rate of 92.8%.
Funding Context
At $7,558 per pupil, Winnebago County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Winnebago County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 4% above the Iowa average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 0.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 0% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Winnebago County, Iowa
Balanced Grade Levels in Winnebago
Winnebago County features nine public schools divided evenly between elementary, middle, and high school levels. Three districts serve a total enrollment of 2,292 students across this well-distributed infrastructure.
Exceeding State and National Averages
The graduation rate in Winnebago County is a strong 92.8%, surpassing both state and national benchmarks. School performance scores of 56.2 are right in line with the Iowa state average, despite spending only $7,558 per pupil.
Forest City Leads Local Education
The Forest City Community School District is the largest in the county, serving 1,141 students across three campuses. The Lake Mills and North Iowa districts manage the remaining schools, all of which are traditional public institutions.
A High Proportion of Rural Schools
Two-thirds of the county's schools are located in rural areas, with the remainder in town settings. The average school size is 255 students, with Forest City Elementary being the largest at 487 students.
Exceptional Success in a Rural Hub
Families moving to Winnebago County can expect high academic performance and a safe, rural atmosphere. The high graduation rates and balanced school levels make it a stable environment for long-term home ownership.
School Overview
Total Schools
9
in Winnebago County
Total Enrollment
2,292
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Winnebago County
Forest City Comm School District
Lake Mills Comm School District
North Iowa Comm School District
9 Public Schools in Winnebago County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest City Elementary School | Forest City Comm School District | PK–4 | Primary | 487 |
| Forest City Middle School | Forest City Comm School District | 5–8 | Middle | 330 |
| Forest City High School | Forest City Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 324 |
| Lake Mills Elementary School | Lake Mills Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 316 |
| North Iowa Elem Buffalo Center | North Iowa Comm School District | PK–5 | Primary | 256 |
| Lake Mills Senior High School | Lake Mills Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 210 |
| Lake Mills Middle School | Lake Mills Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 145 |
| North Iowa High School | North Iowa Comm School District | 9–12 | High | 117 |
| North Iowa Middle School | North Iowa Comm School District | 6–8 | Middle | 107 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,558
State avg $7,591
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Winnebago County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Winnebago County?
How much does Winnebago County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Winnebago County, Iowa — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Winnebago County, Iowa?
Winnebago County features nine public schools divided evenly between elementary, middle, and high school levels. Three districts serve a total enrollment of 2,292 students across this well-distributed infrastructure.
How do schools in Winnebago County perform academically?
The graduation rate in Winnebago County is a strong 92.8%, surpassing both state and national benchmarks. School performance scores of 56.2 are right in line with the Iowa state average, despite spending only $7,558 per pupil.
What are the major school districts in Winnebago County, Iowa?
The Forest City Community School District is the largest in the county, serving 1,141 students across three campuses. The Lake Mills and North Iowa districts manage the remaining schools, all of which are traditional public institutions.
What is the school experience like in Winnebago County?
Two-thirds of the county's schools are located in rural areas, with the remainder in town settings. The average school size is 255 students, with Forest City Elementary being the largest at 487 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Winnebago County, Iowa?
Families moving to Winnebago County can expect high academic performance and a safe, rural atmosphere. The high graduation rates and balanced school levels make it a stable environment for long-term home ownership.
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.