| District | City | Rating | Students | Schools | Grades | Zip Codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AHSTW Community School District | Shelby | 9/10 Excellent · 82nd pct | 776 | 3 | PK–12 | 1 |
| IKM-Manning Community School District | Irwin | 8/10 Good · 74th pct | 710 | 3 | PK–12 | 2 |
| Harlan Community School District | Defiance | 5/10 Average · 48th pct | 1,514 | 4 | PK–12 | 6 |
| Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School District | Elk Horn | 2/10 Poor · 17th pct | 394 | 2 | PK–12 | 1 |
How Shelby County compares
Together they enroll 3,394 students across 12 schools. The largest is Harlan Community School District with 1,514 students. Districts here average 6.0/10, above the Iowa average of 5.4/10. Ratings range from 2/10 to 9/10.
School Districts in Shelby County, Iowa
Shelby County has 4 public school districts covering 10 zip codes. The top-rated district in Shelby County is AHSTW Community School District (9/10). 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 Shelby County, IA?
4 school districts serve zip codes in Shelby 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 Shelby County, IA?
Of the districts serving Shelby County, AHSTW Community School District has the highest rating on this site at 9/10. That places it in the 82nd 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.