Iowa law authorizes the creation of a Common Schools System. As part of this Common Schools System, this school district is a school corporation created and organized under Iowa law. This school district is known as the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District.

This school corporation is located in Martensdale-St. Marys County, and its affairs are conducted by elected school officials, the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District Board of Directors. This school corporation has exclusive jurisdiction over school matters in the territory of the school district.

As a school corporation of Iowa, the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District, acting through its board of directors, is dedicated to promoting an equal opportunity for a quality public education to its students. The board’s ability may be limited by the school district's ability and willingness to furnish financial support in cooperation with student’s parents and school district community. The board is also dedicated to providing the opportunity to develop a healthy social, intellectual, emotional, and physical self-concept in a learning environment that provides guidance to, and encourages critical thinking in, the students for a lifetime.