📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (ISASP 2024–25), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
All 5 Rated Districts in Marion County, IA
Sorted by rating, then state percentile
| County Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Pella Community School District | Pella | 10/10 Excellent | 91st |
| #2 | Pleasantville Community School District | Pleasantville | 7/10 Good | 67th |
| #3 | Twin Cedars Community School District | Bussey | 4/10 Below Average | 31st |
| #4 | Knoxville Community School District | Knoxville | 2/10 Poor | 18th |
| #5 | Melcher-Dallas Community School District | Melcher-Dallas | 1/10 Poor | 7th |
Best School Districts in Marion County, Iowa (2026)
This page lists the 5 public school districts headquartered in Marion County, Iowa that have a SchoolDistrictFinder rating, scored using ISASP 2024–25 state assessment data. The county rank is simply their order here; the state percentile compares each district with every rated district in Iowa, which is how the 1–10 rating is set. Ratings are not comparable with districts in other states.
Districts are placed in the county of their NCES directory listing. A district's boundaries can cross county lines, and a home in Marion County may be served by a district headquartered next door — search your address or zip code to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in Marion County, Iowa? ▼
Among the 5 rated districts in Marion County, Iowa, the highest-rated is Pella Community School District (Pella), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 91st percentile of Iowa districts on ISASP 2024–25 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (ISASP 2024–25), percentile-ranked against all rated districts in Iowa and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.