Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Polk County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 146 public schools serving 84,542 students in Polk County, IA (there are 30 private schools, serving 7,855 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Polk County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Polk County, IA are North Ridge Elementary School, Shuler Elementary School and Prairie Trail Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Polk County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 65% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Polk County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Polk County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
North Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
400 Nw 27th St
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-5674
Gr: K-4 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Shuler Elementary School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
16400 Douglas Parkway
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 987-8597
Gr: K-5 | 592 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #33.
Prairie Trail Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1850 Sw College Ave
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9605
Gr: K-5 | 526 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #44.
Mitchellville Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
308 Elm Ave Nw
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Gr: PK-5 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #55.
Henry A Wallace Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
6207 Nw 62nd Ave
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6977
Gr: PK-5 | 840 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #66.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1705 Ne Trilein Dr
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9620
Gr: K-5 | 595 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #77.
Walnut Hills Elementary School
(Math: 96% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4240 156th St
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 987-3585
Gr: K-5 | 708 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #88.
Webster Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
12955 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Gr: PK-5 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Crocker Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2910 Sw Applewood St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9710
Gr: K-5 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
North Polk Middle School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
315 Ne 141st Ave.
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Gr: 6-8 | 504 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1111.
Ashland Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2600 Nw Ash Drive
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9594
Gr: K-5 | 548 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1212.
North Polk High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
13930 Ne 6th St
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Gr: 9-12 | 644 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1313.
Runnells Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6575 Se 116th Street
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Gr: PK-5 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1414.
North Polk West Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1400 W Broadway
Polk City, IA 50226
(515) 984-3400
Gr: PK-2 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1515.
Southview Middle School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1020 Sw Cherry St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9635
Gr: 8-9 | 913 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1616.
South Prairie Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
500 S James St
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-4057
Gr: K-4 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1717.
Ankeny High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1155 Sw Cherry St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9630
Gr: 10-12 | 1,375 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1818.
Brookview Elementary School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
8000 E.p. True Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-5166
Gr: K-5 | 592 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1919.
North Polk Central Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
311 Ne 141st Ave
Alleman, IA 50007
(515) 984-3400
Gr: PK-5 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #2020.
Radiant Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5050 170th St
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 987-5161
Gr: K-5 | 273 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2121.
Northview Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1302 N Ankeny Blvd
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9700
Gr: 8-9 | 1,021 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Centennial Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
910 7th Ave Se
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-2109
Gr: PK-5 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Heritage Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
500 Ne Beaverbrooke Blvd
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 300-9627
Gr: PK-4 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #2424.
Parkview Middle School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
105 Nw Pleasant St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9640
Gr: 6-7 | 865 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2525.
Ankeny Centennial High School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2220 Nw State St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9610
Gr: 10-12 | 1,470 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2626.
Dallas Center-grimes Middle School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1400 Vine Street
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 992-4343
Gr: 5-6 | 586 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #2727.
Maple Grove Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1455 98th St
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 987-3363
Gr: K-5 | 577 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #2828.
Prairie Ridge Middle School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1010 Nw Prairie Ridge Dr
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9705
Gr: 6-7 | 1,004 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #2929.
Beaver Creek Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8701 Lyndhurst
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 278-6228
Gr: K-5 | 575 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #3030.
Timber Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
7370 Nw 54th Ave
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 331-4379
Gr: K-5 | 667 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #3131.
Rock Creek Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3800 Nw Abilene Rd
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9629
Gr: K-5 | 639 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #3232.
Summit Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
9500 Windsor Parkway
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Gr: 6-7 | 1,118 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Altoona Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
301 6th St Sw
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-3771
Gr: PK-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Delaware Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4401 E 46th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 262-3197
Gr: PK-5 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #3535.
Westwood Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2920 Nw 9th St
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9690
Gr: K-5 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Show 100 more public schools in Polk County, IA (out of 146 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Polk County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Polk County, IA include North Ridge Elementary School, Shuler Elementary School and Prairie Trail Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Polk County?
143 public schools are located in Polk County.
What percentage of students in Polk County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Polk County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County?
Polk County public schools minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?

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