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2009-0528-Decorah-downtownPhoto: Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0
A+
Schools in Decorah · Decorah Community School District

Decorah’s public schools outscore 96% of Iowa districts

On the state math tests, 81% of Decorah’s students scored proficient, above the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Decorah, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.

#4of 140 Iowa townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
87%
▲ 17 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
81%
▲ 17 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 8–12 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.1K
▲ 3% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.7
IA 14.1 · smaller classes
Schools in town
9
1,522 students on the public path
In brief

Decorah’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 87% and math 81% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,147 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 3 the district’s path is Carrie Lee Elementary, then Decorah Middle School, then Decorah High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Benedict School (private), Northeast Iowa Montessori School (private), Ne Iowa Montessori School (private) and Crossroads Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Decorah’s grade

A+ Test scoresA− Graduation

A+: better than 96% of Iowa school districts, #4 of 140 Iowa towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Iowa average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 96%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (640)Better than 99%
AA+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,089 test results and a graduating class of 148 could put Decorah anywhere from A to A+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Decorah’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,089 in math, 1,089 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Decorah, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–2John Cline Elementary SchoolDecorah Community School DistrictNo scores
3–4Carrie Lee ElementaryDecorah Community School DistrictB+
5–8Decorah Middle SchoolDecorah Community School DistrictA
9–12Decorah High SchoolDecorah Community School DistrictA+

Decorah’s public schools are run by Decorah Community School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Decorah Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 1,522 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 12.7 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$14,147IA $13,713 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading87%
State average 69.7% · 1089 students tested
Math81%
State average 63.8% · 1089 students tested

Decorah vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Decorah’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DecorahA+Decorah

Every school in Decorah

9 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Decorahby address
West Side Elementary School
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
20 students10:1Rate it →
John Cline Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–2
300 students12:1Rate it →
Carrie Lee Elementary
Elementary · Grades 3–4
B+
215 students13:1Rate it →
Decorah Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
A
432 students12:1Rate it →
Decorah High School
High · Grades 9–12
A+
555 students14:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Benedict School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
165 students12:1Rate it →
Northeast Iowa Montessori School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Private · Nonsectarian
43 students18:1Rate it →
Ne Iowa Montessori School
Elementary · Grades PK–7
Private · Nonsectarian
41 students6:1Rate it →
Crossroads Academy
Grades 1–12
Private · Special education
28 students6:1Rate it →

Questions about Decorah’s schools

Are Decorah’s schools good?

By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools Decorah children attend outscore 96% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #4 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 99%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Decorah in?

Decorah Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,522 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Decorah kids go to high school?

Decorah High School, with 555 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Decorah’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Decorah Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does Decorah spend per student?

$14,147 in Decorah Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Decorah?

Yes: St. Benedict School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 165 students), Northeast Iowa Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 43 students), Ne Iowa Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–7, 41 students) and Crossroads Academy (special education, grades 1–12, 28 students).

Parents talk

What Decorah families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Decorah → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.