For the 2026 school year, there are 20 public elementary schools serving 9,380 students in Dallas County, IA. The top-ranked public elementary schools in Dallas County, IA are Van Meter Elementary School, Van Meter Middle School and Waukee Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dallas County, IA public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 80% (versus the Iowa public elementary school average of 70%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 69% statewide average). Elementary schools in Dallas County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Iowa public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public elementary school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Dallas County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Van Meter Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
520 1st Ave
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Gr: PK-5 | 578 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Van Meter Middle School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
520 1st Ave
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Gr: 6-8 | 252 students Student-teacher ratio: 32:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #33.
Waukee Elementary School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
850 6th St
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5193
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5193
Gr: K-5 | 706 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #44.
Meadow View Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1300 S. 15th Street
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4283
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4283
Gr: 2-4 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Waukee Middle School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
905 S. Warrior Lane
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5177
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5177
Gr: 6-8 | 867 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #66.
Grant Ragan Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
645 Ne Dartmoor Drive
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-0435
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-0435
Gr: K-5 | 666 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #77.
Woodward-granger Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2002 Oak Street
Granger, IA 50109
(515) 999-2357
Granger, IA 50109
(515) 999-2357
Gr: 2-5 | 349 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #88.
Desoto Intermediate School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
317 Spruce St
De Soto, IA 50069
(515) 834-2424
De Soto, IA 50069
(515) 834-2424
Gr: 5-6 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #99.
Woodward-granger Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
306 W 3rd St
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-4263
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-4263
Gr: 6-8 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1010.
Eason Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
605 Se Boone Dr
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5200
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5200
Gr: K-5 | 590 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1111.
South Middle School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2350 Se La Grant Parkway
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-3222
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-3222
Gr: 6-7 | 1,092 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Dexter Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
803 Washington Street
Dexter, IA 50070
(515) 789-4480
Dexter, IA 50070
(515) 789-4480
Gr: 3-5 | 186 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
West Central Valley Middle School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1375 High St.
Redfield, IA 50233
(515) 833-2331
Redfield, IA 50233
(515) 833-2331
Gr: 6-8 | 191 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1414.
Perry Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1600 8th Street
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-5656
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-5656
Gr: PK-5 | 816 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1515.
Perry Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1200 18th Street
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-3531
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-3531
Gr: 6-8 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1616.
Woodward Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1251 334th St
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-3150
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-3150
Gr: 5-12 | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: n/an/a
1608 Grove St.
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4285
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4285
Gr: PK-1 | 403 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: n/an/a
965 Ashworth Rd
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5160
Gr: K-5 | 630 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: n/an/a
1455 Nw Douglas Parkway
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5161
Waukee, IA 50263
(515) 987-5161
Gr: 6-8 | 754 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: n/an/a
2200 State Street
Granger, IA 50109
(515) 999-8058
Granger, IA 50109
(515) 999-8058
Gr: PK-1 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Dallas County, IA?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Dallas County, IA include Van Meter Elementary School, Van Meter Middle School and Waukee Elementary School. Dallas County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Iowa.
How many public elementary schools are located in Dallas County?
20 public elementary schools are located in Dallas County.
What is the racial composition of students in Dallas County?
Dallas County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public elementary schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Dallas County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Dallas County include: South Middle School vs. Waukee Middle School, Perry Elementary School vs. Perry Middle School, Perry Middle School vs. Perry Elementary School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.