| Index | Clarinda | Iowa | National |
| Average Test Scores | 61% | 69% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 11:1 | 13:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 5 | 1,101 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 2 | 208 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 96 | 7,963 |

| Index | Clarinda | Iowa | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 83.0% | 89.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 80.3% | 87.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 55.8% | 59.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 36.6% | 38.4% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 23.5% | 27.2% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 6.1% | 8.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 2.0% | 2.7% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.8% | 1.1% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 5 public schools, 2 private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Clarinda. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Clarinda, IA schools is 61%. The average student to teacher ratio is 11:1. In Clarinda, IA, an average of 83.0% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 80.3% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Essex, IA | 791 | 70% | 45.8% |
| Villisca, IA | 1,207 | 60% | 24.0% |
| College Springs, IA | 256 | 58% | 19.8% |
| Hopkins, MO | 373 | 30% | 38.5% |
| Clarinda, IA | 5,584 | 61% | 26.0% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Breckenridge, TX | 5,582 | 35% | 26.8% |
| Stokesdale, NC | 5,586 | 60% | 24.0% |
| Winston, OR | 5,586 | 29% | 40.4% |
| Preston, ID | 5,587 | 46% | 4.7% |
| Centerville, IA | 5,579 | 70% | 44.8% |
| Clarinda, IA | 5,584 | 61% | 26.0% |