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Knoxville WPA Athletic Field Historic DistrictKnoxville WPA Athletic Field Historic District · Photo: Boscophotos · CC BY-SA 3.0
C
Schools in Knoxville · Knoxville Community School District

Knoxville’s public schools score below 70% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Knoxville, 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.

#96of 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
66%
▼ 4 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
61%
▼ 3 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 2–2 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.7K
▼ 0% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.3
IA 14.1
Schools in town
4
1,664 students on the public path
In brief

Knoxville’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 66% of tested students were proficient in reading and 61% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa (the state reports Knoxville’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,688 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 Northstar Elementary School, then Knoxville Middle School, then Knoxville High School. 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 Knoxville’s grade

C Test scoresC+ Graduation

C: better than 30% of Iowa school districts, #96 of 140 Iowa towns. Both inputs trail the Iowa average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 30%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (607)Better than 33%
C−B−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,084 test results and a graduating class of 126 could put Knoxville anywhere from C− to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Knoxville’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,084 in math, 1,083 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–2West ElementaryKnoxville Community School DistrictNo scores
3–5Northstar Elementary SchoolKnoxville Community School DistrictC−
6–8Knoxville Middle SchoolKnoxville Community School DistrictB−
9–12Knoxville High SchoolKnoxville Community School DistrictC+

Knoxville’s public schools are run by Knoxville Community School District, which also serves Harvey. 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.

Knoxville Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,664 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 14.3 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$13,688IA $13,713 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading66%
State average 69.7% · 1083 students tested
Math61%
State average 63.8% · 1084 students tested

Knoxville vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
KnoxvilleCKnoxville

Every school in Knoxville

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).

District schools in Knoxvilleby address
West Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–2
485 students16:1Rate it →
Northstar Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 3–5
C−
348 students14:1Rate it →
Knoxville Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
323 students12:1Rate it →
Knoxville High School
High · Grades 9–12
C+
508 students15:1Rate it →

Questions about Knoxville’s schools

Are Knoxville’s schools good?

On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Knoxville children attend score below 70% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #96 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 33%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Knoxville in?

Knoxville Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,664 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Knoxville kids go to high school?

Knoxville High School, with 508 students; its own test results earn a C+.

What is Knoxville’s graduation rate?

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

How much does Knoxville spend per student?

$13,688 in Knoxville Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Knoxville families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Knoxville → 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.