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Schools in Grinnell · Grinnell-Newburg Community School District

Grinnell’s public schools outscore 63% of Iowa districts

75% of students in Grinnell’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Grinnell, 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.

#60of 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
77%
▲ 7 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
75%
▲ 11 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 2–2 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.2K
▼ 4% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.7
IA 14.1 · larger classes
Schools in town
6
1,534 students on the public path
In brief

Grinnell’s schools, in brief

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 77% and math 75% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,183 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 3 the district’s path is Davis Elementary School, then Grinnell Community Middle School, then Grinnell Community Senior High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Central Iowa Christian School (private) is 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 Grinnell’s grade

A− Test scoresC+ Graduation

B: better than 63% of Iowa school districts, #60 of 140 Iowa towns. Test scores are above the Iowa average; graduation is below it.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 63%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (643)Better than 67%
B−A−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,034 test results and a graduating class of 125 could put Grinnell anywhere from B− to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Grinnell’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,035 in math, 1,033 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–22 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
3–4Davis Elementary SchoolGrinnell-Newburg Community School DistrictA−
5–8Grinnell Community Middle SchoolGrinnell-Newburg Community School DistrictA−
9–12Grinnell Community Senior High SchoolGrinnell-Newburg Community School DistrictA

Grinnell’s public schools are run by Grinnell-Newburg Community School District, which also serves Oakland Acres. 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.

Grinnell-Newburg Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 1,534 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 14.7 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$13,183IA $13,713 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading77%
State average 69.7% · 1033 students tested
Math75%
State average 63.8% · 1035 students tested

Grinnell vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
GrinnellBGrinnell-Newburg

Every school in Grinnell

6 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 Grinnellby address
Fairview Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
242 students14:1Rate it →
Bailey Park Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–2
147 students14:1Rate it →
Davis Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 3–4
A−
213 students15:1Rate it →
Grinnell Community Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
A−
420 students13:1Rate it →
Grinnell Community Senior High School
High · Grades 9–12
A
512 students17:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Central Iowa Christian School
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Religious
53 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about Grinnell’s schools

Are Grinnell’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Iowa: the public schools Grinnell children attend outscore 63% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #60 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 67%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Grinnell in?

Grinnell-Newburg Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,534 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Grinnell kids go to high school?

Grinnell Community Senior High School, with 512 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Grinnell’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Grinnell-Newburg Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does Grinnell spend per student?

$13,183 in Grinnell-Newburg Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Grinnell?

Yes: Central Iowa Christian School (religious, grades K–8, 53 students).

Parents talk

What Grinnell families are saying about school.

Town Square →
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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Grinnell → 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.