| District | City | Rating | Students | Schools | Grades | Zip Codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emmetsburg Community School District | Curlew | 6/10 Average · 57th pct | 790 | 3 | PK–12 | 3 |
| West Bend-Mallard Community School District | Mallard | 4/10 Below Average · 35th pct | 395 | 3 | PK–12 | 2 |
| Graettinger-Terril Community School District | Graettinger | 2/10 Poor · 13th pct | 354 | 3 | PK–12 | 1 |
| Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School District | Ayrshire | 1/10 Poor · 1st pct | 164 | 2 | PK–12 | 2 |
How Palo Alto County compares
Together they enroll 1,703 students across 11 schools. The largest is Emmetsburg Community School District with 790 students. Districts here average 3.2/10, below the Iowa average of 5.4/10. Ratings range from 1/10 to 6/10.
School Districts in Palo Alto County, Iowa
Palo Alto County has 4 public school districts covering 8 zip codes. The top-rated district in Palo Alto County is Emmetsburg Community School District (6/10). Ratings are based on the share of students proficient in reading and math on state assessments (ISASP 2024–25), ranked against all districts in Iowa. Directory details come from NCES CCD 2024–25.
Enter your zip code on any page to confirm your exact district assignment — district boundaries are address-specific and may not follow county or city lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many school districts are in Palo Alto County, IA?
4 school districts serve zip codes in Palo Alto County, IA. This page lists each one with its rating, enrollment, grade span and the zip codes it covers.
What is the best-rated school district in Palo Alto County, IA?
Of the districts serving Palo Alto County, Emmetsburg Community School District has the highest rating on this site at 6/10. That places it in the 57th percentile among Iowa school districts.
How are these school district ratings calculated?
Each rating is the share of students scoring proficient or above on Iowa reading and math assessments, ranked against other districts in Iowa and converted to a 1–10 scale. Percentiles compare districts within Iowa only, never across state lines.