Photo: Dmetz61753 · CC BY-SA 3.0Pella’s public schools outscore 97% of Iowa districts
Math proficiency in Pella’s districts is 84%, above the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Pella, 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.
Pella’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 88% and math 84% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,982 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Pella Middle School, then Pella High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Pella Christian Grade School (private) and Pella Christian High School (private) are 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 Pella’s grade
A+: better than 97% of Iowa school districts, #3 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 Pella, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Pella · depends on your address
Madison Elementary School
Grades PK–3 · 401 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades PK–3 · 254 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Viersen Early Learning Center
Grades PK · 137 students · 27:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Pella · depends on your address
Madison Elementary School
Grades PK–3 · 401 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades PK–3 · 254 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Pella · depends on your address
Madison Elementary School
Grades PK–3 · 401 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades PK–3 · 254 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Pella · depends on your address
Madison Elementary School
Grades PK–3 · 401 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades PK–3 · 254 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Pella · depends on your address
Madison Elementary School
Grades PK–3 · 401 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades PK–3 · 254 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Pella
Pella High School
Grades 9–12 · 801 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Pella
Pella High School
Grades 9–12 · 801 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Pella
Pella High School
Grades 9–12 · 801 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Pella’s public schools are run by Pella Community School District, which also serves Leighton. 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
Pella vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Pella’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Pella | A+ | Pella |
Every school in Pella
8 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 Pella’s schools
Are Pella’s schools good?
By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools Pella children attend outscore 97% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #3 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 98%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Pella in?
Pella Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,462 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Pella kids go to high school?
Pella High School, with 801 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Pella’s graduation rate?
95–100% of the class of 2023 in Pella Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Pella spend per student?
$12,982 in Pella Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Pella?
Yes: Pella Christian Grade School (religious, grades PK–8, 562 students) and Pella Christian High School (religious, grades 9–12, 272 students).
Parents talk
What Pella families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pella → 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.