Total enrollment
2,732
-199 (-7%) vs SY 2017-18
Mahaska County
Iowa · Public K-12
Across all districts in Mahaska County, public schools number 8 and enroll approximately 2,757 K-12 students (4 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high).
7-year change in Mahaska County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
7
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
87%
was 90%
% Hispanic
4%
was 3%
% Black
2%
was 2%
% Asian
1%
was 2%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
8
3 districts
Enrollment
2,757
NCES CCD
Median income
$70,940
Below Iowa avg
Free/reduced lunch
38.2%
Below Iowa avg
Elementary
4
1,421 students
Middle
1
404 students
High
3
932 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Oskaloosa Comm School District
2,073 students · 3 districts in Mahaska County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Mahaska County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
24.1%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
8.2%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.5%
civilian labor
Median age
39
23.7% under 18
Test scores in Mahaska County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. Iowa state average: 73.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- North Mahaska Jr-Sr High School· 78.5%
- North Mahaska Elementary School· 77.8%
- Oskaloosa Middle School· 75.6%
- Oskaloosa High School· 74.6%
- Oskaloosa Elementary School· 69.3%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oskaloosa Elementary School | Oskaloosa | Elementary | KG-05 | 903 | · |
| Oskaloosa High School | Oskaloosa | High | 09-12 | 632 | · |
| Oskaloosa Middle School | Oskaloosa | Middle | 06-08 | 404 | · |
| North Mahaska Elementary School | New Sharon | Elementary | PK-06 | 301 | · |
| North Mahaska Jr-Sr High School | New Sharon | High | 07-12 | 275 | · |
| Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center - PK | Oskaloosa | Elementary | PK-PK | 109 | · |
| Fremont Elementary | Fremont | Elementary | PK-06 | 108 | · |
| Oskaloosa Virtual Academy | Oskaloosa | High | 07-12 | 25 | · |
Cities in Mahaska County
About Mahaska County
Mahaska County is a sparse county of about 22,021 residents in Iowa. Its public-school system instructs approximately 2,757 students across 8 schools.
Zooming out, census numbers show median household income runs near $70,940, 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 8%.
In terms of grade levels, Mahaska County consists of 4 elementary schools (1,421 students), 1 middle school (404), and 3 high schools (932).
Oskaloosa Comm School District is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 2,073 students across Mahaska County.
Trend over the past 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Mahaska County has contracted 7% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 2,931 students to 2,732.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Mahaska County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Mahaska County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data