Total enrollment
1,472
-45 (-3%) vs SY 2020-21
Palo Alto County
Iowa · Public K-12
Within Palo Alto County, Iowa, families have 10 public-school options to consider, collectively serving 1,472 K-12 students. Emmetsburg Comm School District is the heaviest district by enrollment. The level mix is 3 elementary, 3 middle, and 4 high schools.
4-year change in Palo Alto County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
10
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Palo Alto County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Iowa | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 71.9% | #47 of 89 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 1,472 | #77 of 90 | #2,496 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 10 | #47 of 90 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 15.7:1 | #88 of 90 | #1,997 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 41.1% | #44 of 90 | #2,047 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 18.7% | #72 of 89 | #2,202 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Palo Alto County school rankings
Residents
8,863
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
10
4 districts
Enrollment
1,472
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$72,781
Above Iowa avg
Free/reduced lunch
41.1%
Below Iowa avg
Elementary
3
555 students
Middle
3
379 students
High
4
538 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Emmetsburg Comm School District
727 students · 4 districts in Palo Alto County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Palo Alto 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+
19.0%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.2%
civilian labor
Median age
42
23.1% under 18
Test scores in Palo Alto County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 8 schools ranked. Iowa state average: 73.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Emmetsburg High School· 85.5%
- West Elementary School· 80.8%
- Emmetsburg Middle School· 79.1%
- West Bend-Mallard Middle School· 75.6%
- West Bend-Mallard High School· 75.3%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Elementary School | Emmetsburg | Elementary | PK-04 | 293 | · |
| Emmetsburg High School | Emmetsburg | High | 09-12 | 235 | · |
| Emmetsburg Middle School | Emmetsburg | Middle | 05-08 | 199 | · |
| West Bend-Mallard Elementary School | West Bend | Elementary | PK-04 | 173 | · |
| West Bend-Mallard Middle School | West Bend | Middle | 05-08 | 132 | · |
| Graettinger-Terril High School | Graettinger | High | 09-12 | 128 | · |
| West Bend-Mallard High School | West Bend | High | 09-12 | 117 | · |
| Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School | Ruthven | Elementary | PK-06 | 89 | · |
| Ruthven-Ayrshire High School | Ruthven | High | 07-12 | 58 | · |
| Graettinger-Terril Middle School | Graettinger | Middle | 06-08 | 48 | · |
Cities in Palo Alto County
About Palo Alto County
Palo Alto County is a sparse Iowa county of about 8,863 residents, home to 10 public schools and roughly 1,472 students.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show median household income runs near $72,781, roughly 19% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 9% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
In terms of grade levels, Palo Alto County comprises 3 elementary schools (555 students), 3 middle schools (379), and 4 high schools (538).
Emmetsburg Comm School District is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 727 students across Palo Alto County.
Trend over the past 4 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 1,472 students, contracted 3% from the 1,517 reported in SY 2020-21.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Palo Alto County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data