For the 2024-25 school year, there are 82 blue ribbon public schools serving 31,742 students in Iowa.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top ranked blue ribbon public schools in Iowa are Hospers Elementary School, Denver Senior High School and Gilbert High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Iowa blue ribbon public schools have an average math proficiency score of 77% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Schools in Iowa (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Hospers Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
201 4th Ave S
Hospers, IA 51238
(712) 752-8480
Hospers, IA 51238
(712) 752-8480
Grades: K-5
| 216 students
Rank: #22.
Denver Senior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
800 Longview Drive
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 984-5639
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 984-5639
Grades: 9-12
| 262 students
Rank: #33.
Gilbert High School
Magnet School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
312 Gretten
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Grades: 9-12
| 537 students
Rank: #44.
Prairie Trail Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1850 Sw College Ave
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9605
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9605
Grades: K-5
| 571 students
Rank: #55.
Northeast Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1705 Ne Trilein Dr
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9620
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9620
Grades: K-5
| 655 students
Rank: #66.
Webster Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
12955 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Grades: PK-5
| 510 students
Rank: #7 - 107. - 10.
East Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
501 Normal College Ave
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-4337
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-4337
Grades: PK-4
| 450 students
Rank: #7 - 107. - 10.
Mitchellville Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
308 Elm Ave Nw
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Grades: PK-5
| 242 students
Rank: #7 - 107. - 10.
Taft Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
612 2nd Ave North
Humboldt, IA 50548
(515) 332-3216
Humboldt, IA 50548
(515) 332-3216
Grades: 1-4
| 396 students
Rank: #7 - 107. - 10.
Whittier Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1310 2nd Ave S
Clinton, IA 52732
(563) 243-3230
Clinton, IA 52732
(563) 243-3230
Grades: K-5
| 354 students
Rank: #1111.
Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2526 Ashworth Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2901
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2901
Grades: PK-6
| 485 students
Rank: #1212.
Pella High School
Magnet School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
212 E University St
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3870
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3870
Grades: 9-12
| 764 students
Rank: #1313.
Decorah High School
Magnet School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
100 Claiborne Drive
Decorah, IA 52101
(563) 382-3643
Decorah, IA 52101
(563) 382-3643
Grades: 9-12
| 576 students
Rank: #1414.
Grundy Center Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1006 M Ave
Grundy Center, IA 50638
(319) 825-5464
Grundy Center, IA 50638
(319) 825-5464
Grades: 5-8
| 212 students
Rank: #1515.
North Kossuth Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
203 5th Street North
Swea City, IA 50590
(515) 272-4361
Swea City, IA 50590
(515) 272-4361
Grades: PK-5
| 130 students
Rank: #1616.
Van Meter High School
Magnet School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
520 1st Ave
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Grades: 9-12
| 292 students
Rank: #1717.
Helen A Hansen Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
616 Holmes Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2775
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2775
Grades: PK-6
| 591 students
Rank: #18 - 2218. - 22.
Bedford Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
906 Pennsylvania St
Bedford, IA 50833
(712) 523-2116
Bedford, IA 50833
(712) 523-2116
Grades: PK-5
| 292 students
Rank: #18 - 2218. - 22.
Bryant Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1280 Rush St
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 552-3400
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 552-3400
Grades: PK-5
| 314 students
Rank: #18 - 2218. - 22.
Delwood Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
311 Delmar Ave
Delmar, IA 52037
(563) 674-4164
Delmar, IA 52037
(563) 674-4164
Grades: PK-6
| 165 students
Rank: #18 - 2218. - 22.
Runnells Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6575 Se 116th Street
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Grades: PK-5
| 269 students
Rank: #18 - 2218. - 22.
West Cedar Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
221 15th St Nw
Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-2754
Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-2754
Grades: K-4
| 230 students
Rank: #2323.
West Lyon High School
Magnet School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1787 182nd Street
Inwood, IA 51240
(712) 753-4917
Inwood, IA 51240
(712) 753-4917
Grades: 9-12
| 307 students
Rank: #2424.
Adm Senior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
801 Nile Kinnick Dr S
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4584
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4584
Grades: 9-12
| 651 students
Rank: #2525.
Peet Junior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
525 E Seerley Blvd
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2710
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2710
Grades: 7-9
| 670 students
Rank: #2626.
Summit Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
9500 Windsor Parkway
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Grades: 6-7
| 1,112 students
Rank: #2727.
Vinton-shellsburg Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
212 W. 15th St.
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Grades: 6-8
| 318 students
Rank: #2828.
Maquoketa Valley Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
112 Third Street
Delhi, IA 52223
(563) 922-9411
Delhi, IA 52223
(563) 922-9411
Grades: 6-8
| 159 students
Rank: #2929.
Franklin Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
400 3rd Ave Se
Le Mars, IA 51031
(712) 546-4185
Le Mars, IA 51031
(712) 546-4185
Grades: K-5
| 282 students
Rank: #3030.
Sergeant Bluff-luton Senior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
708 Warrior Road
Sergeant Bluff, IA 51054
(712) 943-5561
Sergeant Bluff, IA 51054
(712) 943-5561
Grades: 9-12
| 533 students
Rank: #3131.
Pleasant Valley High School
Magnet School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
604 Belmont Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-5151
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-5151
Grades: 9-12
| 1,658 students
Rank: #3232.
Moc-floyd Valley High School
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
615 8th St Se
Orange City, IA 51041
(712) 737-4871
Orange City, IA 51041
(712) 737-4871
Grades: 9-12
| 487 students
Rank: #3333.
Davis Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
818 Hamilton Avenue
Grinnell, IA 50112
(641) 236-2790
Grinnell, IA 50112
(641) 236-2790
Grades: 3-4
| 215 students
Rank: #3434.
Harlan High School
Magnet School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2102 Durant
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3101
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3101
Grades: 9-12
| 477 students
Rank: #3535.
Carroll High School
Magnet School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2809 N Grant Rd
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-8010
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-8010
Grades: 9-12
| 544 students
Show 47 more public schools in Iowa (out of 82 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked blue ribbon public schools in Iowa?
The top ranked blue ribbon public schools in Iowa include Hospers Elementary School, Denver Senior High School and Gilbert High School.
How many blue ribbon public schools are located in Iowa?
82 blue ribbon public schools are located in Iowa.
What is the racial composition of students in Iowa?
Iowa blue ribbon public schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
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