📊 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 10 Rated Districts in Polk County, IA
Sorted by rating, then state percentile
| County Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | North Polk Community School District | Alleman | 10/10 Excellent | 94th |
| #2 | Ankeny Community School District | Ankeny | 9/10 Excellent | 84th |
| #3 | Johnston Community School District | Johnston | 8/10 Good | 73rd |
| #4 | Southeast Polk Community School District | Altoona | 6/10 Average | 55th |
| #5 | Bondurant-Farrar Community School District | Bondurant | 6/10 Average | 54th |
| #6 | Urbandale Community School District | Urbandale | 5/10 Average | 47th |
| #7 | West Des Moines Community Schools | West Des Moines | 5/10 Average | 41st |
| #8 | Saydel Community School District | Des Moines | 3/10 Below Average | 24th |
| #9 | Clayton Ridge Community School District | Guttenberg | 1/10 Poor | 2nd |
| #10 | Des Moines Independent Community School District | Des Moines | 1/10 Poor | 1st |
Best School Districts in Polk County, Iowa (2026)
This page lists the 10 public school districts headquartered in Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk County, Iowa? ▼
Among the 10 rated districts in Polk County, Iowa, the highest-rated is North Polk Community School District (Alleman), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 94th 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.