For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 5,328 students in Cerro Gordo County, IA (there are 2 private schools, serving 137 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Cerro Gordo County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Cerro Gordo County, IA are Jefferson Elementary School, Clear Lake Middle School and Clear Creek Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cerro Gordo County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 67% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Cerro Gordo County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Cerro Gordo County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1421 4th St. Se
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4411
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4411
Gr: PK-4 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
Clear Lake Middle School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1601 3rd Ave North
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(641) 357-6114
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(641) 357-6114
Gr: 6-8 | 308 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #33.
Clear Creek Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
901 S 14th St
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(641) 357-5288
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(641) 357-5288
Gr: PK-5 | 685 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #44.
Clear Lake High School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
125 N 20th St
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(641) 357-5235
Clear Lake, IA 50428
(641) 357-5235
Gr: 9-12 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #55.
West Fork Elementary At Rockwell
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
210 S 2nd St
Rockwell, IA 50469
(641) 822-3234
Rockwell, IA 50469
(641) 822-3234
Gr: PK-5 | 388 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #66.
Harding Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1239 N. Rhode Island Ave
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4406
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4406
Gr: PK-4 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #77.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
313 15th St. Se
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4415
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4415
Gr: PK-4 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #88.
Hoover Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1123 8th St. Nw
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4408
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4408
Gr: PK-4 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #99.
Lincoln Intermediate
(Math: 57% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1625 S. Pennsylvania Ave
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4423
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4423
Gr: 5-6 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1010.
John Adams Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
29 S Illinois Ave
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4420
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4420
Gr: 7-8 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1111.
Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
19 N. Illinois Ave.
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4426
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4426
Gr: 9-12 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1212.
Mason City High School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1700 4th St. Se
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4431
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4431
Gr: 9-12 | 891 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1313.
Mason City Virtual Academy
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
19 N. Illinois
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4426
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4426
Gr: 8-12 | 88 students Student-teacher ratio: 44:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Cerro Gordo County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Cerro Gordo County, IA include Jefferson Elementary School, Clear Lake Middle School and Clear Creek Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Cerro Gordo County?
13 public schools are located in Cerro Gordo County.
What percentage of students in Cerro Gordo County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Cerro Gordo County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cerro Gordo County?
Cerro Gordo County public schools minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cerro Gordo County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Cerro Gordo County include: Hoover Elementary School vs. Jefferson Elementary School, Harding Elementary School vs. Roosevelt Elementary School, Harding Elementary School vs. Jefferson Elementary School
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