Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0Onawa’s public schools score below 54% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Onawa, 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.
Onawa’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 614 Iowa towns with household incomes within a quarter of Onawa’s, its schools beat 53%, higher than their 46% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 78% and math 66% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 80–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,515 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 6 the district’s path is West Monona Middle School, then West Monona 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.
What’s behind Onawa’s grade
B−: better than 46% of Iowa school districts, #77 of 140 Iowa towns. Test scores are above the Iowa average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Onawa, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Onawa
West Monona Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 352 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Onawa’s public schools are run by West Monona Community School District, which also serves Blencoe and Turin. 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
Onawa vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Onawa’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Onawa | B− | West Monona |
Every school in Onawa
3 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 Onawa’s schools
Are Onawa’s schools good?
On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Onawa children attend score below 54% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #77 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 53%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Onawa in?
West Monona Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 633 students in 3 schools (2024–25).
Where do Onawa kids go to high school?
West Monona High School, with 161 students; its own test results earn a C.
What is Onawa’s graduation rate?
80–89% of the class of 2023 in West Monona Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Onawa spend per student?
$12,515 in West Monona Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Onawa families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Onawa → 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.