Total enrollment
2,566
-198 (-7%) vs SY 2017-18
Poweshiek County
Iowa · Public K-12
Of the public K-12 schools operating across Iowa, 11 sit inside Poweshiek County, collectively enrolling roughly 2,566 students (5 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high).
7-year change in Poweshiek County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
10
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
89%
was 90%
% Hispanic
5%
was 4%
% Black
2%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
18,545
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
11
3 districts
Enrollment
2,566
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$67,391
Below Iowa avg
Free/reduced lunch
35.9%
Below Iowa avg
Elementary
5
1,120 students
Middle
2
526 students
High
3
920 students
Combined / other
1
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Grinnell-Newburg Comm School District
1,534 students · 3 districts in Poweshiek County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Poweshiek 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+
27.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.0%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.6%
civilian labor
Median age
41
19.4% under 18
Test scores in Poweshiek County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 8 schools ranked. Iowa state average: 73.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grinnell Community Senior High School | Grinnell | High | 09-12 | 512 | · |
| Grinnell Community Middle School | Grinnell | Middle | 05-08 | 420 | · |
| Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Elementary School | Brooklyn | Elementary | PK-06 | 300 | · |
| Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Jr-Sr High School | Brooklyn | High | 07-12 | 268 | · |
| Fairview Elementary School | Grinnell | Elementary | PK-02 | 242 | · |
| Montezuma Elementary School | Montezuma | Elementary | PK-05 | 218 | · |
| Davis Elementary School | Grinnell | Elementary | 03-04 | 213 | · |
| Bailey Park Elementary School | Grinnell | Elementary | KG-02 | 147 | · |
| Montezuma High School | Montezuma | High | 09-12 | 140 | · |
| Montezuma Junior High School | Montezuma | Middle | 06-08 | 106 | · |
| Montezuma Virtual Learning Academy | Montezuma | Combined | M-M | · | · |
Cities in Poweshiek County
About Poweshiek County
Poweshiek County is a thinly populated Iowa county of about 18,545 residents, home to 11 public schools and roughly 2,566 students.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show the median household earns about $67,391 a year, 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the federal-poverty share is near 6%. That income level is 6% lower than the Iowa median.
In terms of grade levels, Poweshiek County spans 5 elementary schools (1,120 students), 2 middle schools (526), 3 high schools (920), and 1 combined or other schools.
The largest single district in Poweshiek County is Grinnell-Newburg Comm School District, which alone enrolls about 1,534 students.
Over the past 7-year window. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment decreased 7%: 2,764 students in SY 2017-18 versus 2,566 in SY 2024-25.
On allk12, the community for Poweshiek County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.
Frequently asked questions
Poweshiek County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data