When people decide to move to a community, part of the reason they may move there is the infrastructure.  They have decent housing, the roads are good, they have ample places to get food and shop, and the schools are good.

Where is Iowa When it Comes to Schools?

Iowa, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), is generally considered to be a state with high-quality teacher preparation programs.  Of all 50 states, Iowa usually ranks among the top, with some placing it in the top 10, says KCCI.

Who is the Best When It Comes to Education in Iowa?

Niche recently ranked the top school districts in Iowa.  They look at all the important stuff and crunch the numbers so we don't have to.  What exactly do they look at?  Things like standardized test scores, graduation rates, student-teacher ratios, extracurricular activities, and feedback from both parents and students.

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In Marion, showing up at #23 on the list is the Linn-Mar School District.  They received high marks.  Niche, much like a school, uses a letter grade A through F to determine where a school falls in certain categories.  How did Linn-Mar perform? What would their report card look like according to Niche?

  • Academics                               A-
  • Administration                          A-
  • Clubs & Activities                     A-
  • College prep                            A-
  • Diversity                                  B-
  • Food                                        B+
  • Resources & Facilities            C+
  • Sports                                      A-
  • Teachers                                  A

Linn-Mar has a student-to-teacher ratio of 15 to 1, which Niche rates as good. Teacher salaries, according to USA Facts, are generally considered to be around the national average. This makes it a decent place to live for both students and teachers, as Marion also boasts a reasonable cost of living.

Linn-Mar Schools Facebook/Canva/TSM
Linn-Mar Schools Facebook/Canva/TSM
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You can see the top 25 best school districts in Iowa in its entirety below:

Top Iowa School Districts for 2025

The top school districts in Iowa ranked

Gallery Credit: Sloppy Joe

Wanatee Park Cedar Rapids 01.26.25

Photos were taken at Wanatee Park in Cedar Rapids on January 26, 2025.

Gallery Credit: Sloppy Joe

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