| District | City | Rating | Students | Schools | Grades | Zip Codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Polk Community School District | Alleman | 10/10 Excellent · 94th pct | 2,243 | 5 | PK–12 | 4 |
| Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District | Grimes | 10/10 Excellent · 92nd pct | 3,767 | 7 | PK–12 | 1 |
| Ankeny Community School District | Ankeny | 9/10 Excellent · 84th pct | 12,750 | 17 | PK–12 | 2 |
| Johnston Community School District | Johnston | 8/10 Good · 73rd pct | 7,487 | 8 | PK–12 | 1 |
| Southeast Polk Community School District | Altoona | 6/10 Average · 55th pct | 7,397 | 11 | PK–12 | 4 |
| Bondurant-Farrar Community School District | Bondurant | 6/10 Average · 54th pct | 2,731 | 5 | PK–12 | 1 |
| Urbandale Community School District | Urbandale | 5/10 Average · 47th pct | 4,308 | 7 | PK–12 | 1 |
| West Des Moines Community Schools | West Des Moines | 5/10 Average · 41st pct | 9,225 | 14 | PK–12 | 3 |
| Saydel Community School District | Berwick | 3/10 Below Average · 24th pct | 1,337 | 3 | PK–12 | 2 |
| Des Moines Independent Community School District | Des Moines | 1/10 Poor · 1st pct | 30,739 | 59 | PK–12 | 11 |
How Polk County compares
Together they enroll 81,984 students across 136 schools. The largest is Des Moines Independent Community School District with 30,739 students. Districts here average 6.3/10, above the Iowa average of 5.4/10. Ratings range from 1/10 to 10/10.
School Districts in Polk County, Iowa
Polk County has 10 public school districts covering 30 zip codes. The top-rated district in Polk County is North Polk Community School District (10/10). 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 Polk County, IA?
10 school districts serve zip codes in Polk 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 Polk County, IA?
Of the districts serving Polk County, North Polk Community School District has the highest rating on this site at 10/10. That places it in the 94th 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.