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NorwalkIowaMuralPhoto: PopePompus · CC BY-SA 4.0
A
Schools in Norwalk · Norwalk Community School District

Norwalk’s public schools outscore 85% of Iowa districts

Math proficiency in Norwalk’s districts is 74%, above the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Norwalk, 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.

#22of 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
74%
▲ 10 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
99–100%
▲ 12–12 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.4K
▼ 17% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.4
IA 14.1 · larger classes
Schools in town
6
3,519 students on the public path
In brief

Norwalk’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 258 Iowa towns with household incomes within a quarter of Norwalk’s, its schools beat 74%, lower than their 85% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 77% and math 74% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 99–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,412 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 2 the district’s path is Orchard Hills Elementary, then Norwalk Middle School, then Norwalk Senior High School. Enrollment is up 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Main Street 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 Norwalk’s grade

B+ Test scoresA+ Graduation

A: better than 85% of Iowa school districts, #22 of 140 Iowa towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Iowa average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 85%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (258)Better than 74%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,346 test results and a graduating class of 266 could put Norwalk anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Norwalk’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,346 in math, 2,347 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–1Oviatt Elementary SchoolNorwalk Community School DistrictNo scores
2–3Orchard Hills ElementaryNorwalk Community School DistrictA−
6–8Norwalk Middle SchoolNorwalk Community School DistrictA−
9–12Norwalk Senior High SchoolNorwalk Community School DistrictA−

Norwalk’s public schools are run by Norwalk Community School District, which also serves Cumming and Spring Hill. 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.

Norwalk Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 3,519 students, up 8% since 2020–21 · 15.4 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$11,412IA $13,713 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading77%
State average 69.7% · 2347 students tested
Math74%
State average 63.8% · 2346 students tested

Norwalk vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
NorwalkANorwalk
Des MoinesD−Des Moines Independent
West Des MoinesB+West Des Moines PK–12 · Waukee PK–12

Every school in Norwalk

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 Norwalkby address
Oviatt Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–1
548 students15:1Rate it →
Orchard Hills Elementary
Elementary · Grades 2–3
A−
558 students15:1Rate it →
Lakewood Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 4–5
A−
554 students15:1Rate it →
Norwalk Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A−
824 students15:1Rate it →
Norwalk Senior High School
High · Grades 9–12
A−
1,035 students17:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Main Street School
Grades PK–12
Private · Nonsectarian
22 students5:1Rate it →

Questions about Norwalk’s schools

Are Norwalk’s schools good?

By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools Norwalk children attend outscore 85% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #22 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 74%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Norwalk in?

Norwalk Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,519 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Norwalk kids go to high school?

Norwalk Senior High School, with 1,035 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Norwalk’s graduation rate?

99–100% of the class of 2023 in Norwalk Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does Norwalk spend per student?

$11,412 in Norwalk Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Norwalk?

Yes: Main Street School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 22 students).

Parents talk

What Norwalk families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Norwalk → 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.