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Elkhart Iowa 20090503 City HallPhoto: Ashton B Crew · CC BY 3.0
A+
Schools in Elkhart · North Polk Community School District

Elkhart’s public schools outscore 98% of Iowa districts

85% of students in Elkhart’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Elkhart, 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.

K–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
85%
▲ 21 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 8–12 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.9K
▼ 13% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.9
IA 14.1 · larger classes
Schools in town
0
1,952 students on the public path
In brief

Elkhart’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 87% and math 85% 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 $11,911 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is North Polk Middle School, then North Polk High School. Enrollment is up 18% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

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 Elkhart’s grade

A+ Test scoresA− Graduation

A+: better than 98% of Iowa school districts. 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 98%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (487)Better than 98%
AA+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,330 test results and a graduating class of 153 could put Elkhart anywhere from A to A+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Elkhart’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,331 in math, 1,329 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA− to A+
6–8North Polk Middle Schoolin AllemanA+
9–12North Polk High Schoolin AllemanA+

Elkhart’s public schools are run by North Polk Community School District, which also serves Alleman, Polk City and Sheldahl. 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.

North Polk Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 2,309 students, up 18% since 2020–21 · 15.9 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$11,911IA $13,713 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading87%
State average 69.7% · 1329 students tested
Math85%
State average 63.8% · 1331 students tested

Elkhart vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ElkhartA+North Polk

Every school in Elkhart

4 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).

Also serving Elkhartin other towns
North Polk Central Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Alleman
A−
408 students15:1Rate it →
North Polk West Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2 · Polk City
A+
396 students16:1Rate it →
North Polk Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Alleman
A+
504 students16:1Rate it →
North Polk High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Alleman
A+
644 students17:1Rate it →

Questions about Elkhart’s schools

Are Elkhart’s schools good?

By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools Elkhart children attend outscore 98% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 98%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Elkhart in?

North Polk Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,309 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Elkhart kids go to high school?

North Polk High School in Alleman, with 644 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Elkhart’s graduation rate?

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

How much does Elkhart spend per student?

$11,911 in North Polk Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Elkhart families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Elkhart → 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.