For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public schools serving 1,908 students in Shelby County, IA (there are 1 private school, serving 88 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Shelby County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Shelby County, IA are Irwin Elementary School, Harlan Community Middle School and Harlan High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Shelby County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 76% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Shelby County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Shelby County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Irwin Elementary School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
100 Eva Street
Irwin, IA 51446
(712) 782-3126
Irwin, IA 51446
(712) 782-3126
Gr: PK-3 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Harlan Community Middle School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2108 Durant Street
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3196
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3196
Gr: 6-8 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #33.
Harlan High School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2102 Durant
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3101
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3101
Gr: 9-12 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #44.
Harlan Intermediate School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1401 19th St
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-2725
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-2725
Gr: 3-5 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #55.
Exiraelk Horn-kimballton High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4114 Madison St
Elk Horn, IA 51531
(712) 764-4616
Elk Horn, IA 51531
(712) 764-4616
Gr: 6-12 | 184 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: n/an/a
2105 Durant St
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-5903
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-5903
Gr: PK-2 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Shelby County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Shelby County, IA include Irwin Elementary School, Harlan Community Middle School and Harlan High School.
How many public schools are located in Shelby County?
6 public schools are located in Shelby County.
What percentage of students in Shelby County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Shelby County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Shelby County?
Shelby County public schools minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.