Indianola High School · Photo: Paul R. Burley · CC BY-SA 4.0Indianola’s public schools outscore 67% of Iowa districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Indianola, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 72% of students in Indianola’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Iowa average (64%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.
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.
Indianola’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 73% and math 72% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,299 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Indianola Middle School, then Indianola High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Victory Christian Academy (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.
What’s behind Indianola’s grade
B+: better than 67% of Iowa school districts, #52 of 140 Iowa towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Iowa average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Indianola, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Indianola
Whittier Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 369 students · 16:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Indianola
Indianola Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 818 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Indianola
Indianola Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 818 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Indianola
Indianola Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 818 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Indianola
Indianola High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,165 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Indianola
Indianola High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,165 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Indianola
Indianola High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,165 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Indianola
Indianola High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,165 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Indianola’s public schools are run by Indianola Community School District, which also serves Ackworth and Sandyville. 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.
Above the state in reading
Indianola vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Indianola’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Indianola | B+ | Indianola |
Every school in Indianola
7 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).
Questions about Indianola’s schools
Are Indianola’s schools good?
By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools Indianola children attend outscore 67% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #52 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 Indianola in?
Indianola Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,599 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Indianola kids go to high school?
Indianola High School, with 1,165 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Indianola’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Indianola Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Indianola spend per student?
$12,299 in Indianola Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Indianola?
Yes: Victory Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–6, 29 students).
Parents talk
What Indianola families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Indianola → 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.