Photo: Kevin Schuchmann · CC BY-SA 3.0Manchester’s public schools outscore 66% of Iowa districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Manchester, 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.
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.
Manchester’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 600 Iowa towns with household incomes within a quarter of Manchester’s, its schools beat 73%, higher than their 66% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 76% and math 70% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,344 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 5 the district’s path is West Delaware Middle School, then West Delaware High School. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Mary 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.
What’s behind Manchester’s grade
B+: better than 66% of Iowa school districts, #56 of 140 Iowa towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Iowa average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Manchester, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Manchester
Lambert Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 449 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Manchester
Lambert Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 449 students · 14:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Manchester
Lambert Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 449 students · 14:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Manchester
Lambert Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 449 students · 14:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Manchester
Lambert Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 449 students · 14:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Manchester
Lambert Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 449 students · 14:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Manchester
West Delaware Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 378 students · 12:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Manchester
West Delaware Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 378 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Manchester
West Delaware Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 378 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Manchester
West Delaware Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 378 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Manchester
West Delaware High School
Grades 9–12 · 436 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Manchester
West Delaware High School
Grades 9–12 · 436 students · 13:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Manchester
West Delaware High School
Grades 9–12 · 436 students · 13:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Manchester
West Delaware High School
Grades 9–12 · 436 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Manchester’s public schools are run by West Delaware County Community School District, which also serves Dundee, Greeley, Masonville and Ryan. 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.
Well above the state in reading
Manchester vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Manchester’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | B+ | West Delaware County |
Every school in Manchester
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).
Questions about Manchester’s schools
Are Manchester’s schools good?
By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools Manchester children attend outscore 66% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #56 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 73%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Manchester in?
West Delaware County Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,263 students in 3 schools (2024–25).
Where do Manchester kids go to high school?
West Delaware High School, with 436 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is Manchester’s graduation rate?
90–94% of the class of 2023 in West Delaware County Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Manchester spend per student?
$13,344 in West Delaware County Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Manchester?
Yes: St. Mary School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 247 students).
Parents talk
What Manchester families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Manchester → 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.