Top 10 Best Iowa Blue Ribbon Public Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 82 blue ribbon public schools serving 31,685 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 Denver Senior High School, Hospers Elementary School and Mitchellville Elementary 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 77% (versus the 68% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).

Best Iowa Blue Ribbon Public Schools (2024)

School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Denver Senior High School
Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
541 E Eagle
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 984-5639
Grades: 9-12
| 257 students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Hospers Elementary School
Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
201 4th Ave S
Hospers, IA 51238
(712) 752-8480
Grades: K-5
| 232 students
Rank: #33.
Mitchellville Elementary School
Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
308 Elm Ave Nw
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Grades: PK-5
| 227 students
Rank: #44.
Van Meter High School
Math: 85-89% | Reading: 90-94%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
520 1st Ave
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Grades: 9-12
| 283 students
Rank: #55.
West Lyon High School
Math: 89% | Reading: 88%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1787 182nd Street
Inwood, IA 51240
(712) 753-4917
Grades: 9-12
| 307 students
Rank: #66.
Bedford Elementary School
Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
906 Pennsylvania St
Bedford, IA 50833
(712) 523-2116
Grades: PK-5
| 287 students
Rank: #77.
Decorah High School
Math: 85% | Reading: 92%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
100 Claiborne Drive
Decorah, IA 52101
(563) 382-3643
Grades: 9-12
| 577 students
Rank: #88.
Gilbert High School
Math: 86% | Reading: 91%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
312 Gretten
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Grades: 9-12
| 521 students
Rank: #99.
Pella High School
Math: 85% | Reading: 89%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
212 E University St
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3870
Grades: 9-12
| 738 students
Rank: #1010.
Prairie Trail Elementary School
Math: 95% | Reading: 83%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1850 Sw College Ave
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9605
Grades: K-5
| 571 students
Rank: #1111.
Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School
Math: 85% | Reading: 88%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2526 Ashworth Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2901
Grades: PK-6
| 463 students
Rank: #1212.
Northeast Elementary School
Math: 91% | Reading: 84%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1705 Ne Trilein
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9620
Grades: K-5
| 672 students
Rank: #1313.
Indian Creek Elementary School
Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2900 Indian Creek Rd
Marion, IA 52302
(319) 447-3270
Grades: K-4
| 413 students
Rank: #1414.
Helen A Hansen Elementary School
Math: 84% | Reading: 87%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
616 Holmes Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2775
Grades: PK-6
| 646 students
Rank: #1515.
Pleasant Valley High School
Math: 83% | Reading: 87%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
604 Belmont Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-5151
Grades: 9-12
| 1,643 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Mount Ayr Elementary School
Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
607 E Jefferson
Mount Ayr, IA 50854
(641) 464-0537
Grades: PK-6
| 350 students
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Webster Elementary School
Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
12955 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Grades: PK-5
| 502 students
Rank: #1818.
Adm Senior High School
Math: 82% | Reading: 86%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
801 Nile Kinnick Dr S
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4584
Grades: 9-12
| 587 students
Rank: #1919.
Maquoketa Valley Middle School
Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
112 Third Street
Delhi, IA 52223
(563) 922-9411
Grades: 6-8
| 166 students
Rank: #2020.
Grundy Center Middle School
Math: 80% | Reading: 87%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1006 M Ave
Grundy Center, IA 50638
(319) 825-5464
Grades: 5-8
| 222 students
Rank: #2121.
Vinton-shellsburg Middle School
Math: 83% | Reading: 81%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
212 W. 15th St.
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Grades: 6-8
| 329 students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Runnells Elementary School
Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6575 Se 116th Street
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Grades: PK-5
| 290 students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
West Cedar Elementary School
Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
221 15th St Nw
Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-2754
Grades: K-4
| 227 students
Rank: #2424.
Moc-floyd Valley High School
Math: 79% | Reading: 82%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
615 8th St Se
Orange City, IA 51041
(712) 737-4871
Grades: 9-12
| 471 students
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Harlan High School
Math: 77% | Reading: 82%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2102 Durant
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3101
Grades: 9-12
| 483 students
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Southeast Elementary School
Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
809 4th St Se
Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-3582
Grades: K-4
| 159 students
Rank: #2727.
Whittier Elementary School
Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1310 2nd Ave S
Clinton, IA 52732
(563) 243-3230
Grades: K-5
| 369 students
Rank: #2828.
Center Point-urbana High School
Math: 76% | Reading: 83%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
145 Iowa Street
Center Point, IA 52213
(319) 849-1102
Grades: 9-12
| 478 students
Rank: #2929.
Peet Junior High School
Math: 79% | Reading: 80%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
525 E Seerley Blvd
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2710
Grades: 7-9
| 670 students
Rank: #3030.
Summit Middle School
Math: 80% | Reading: 77%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
9500 Windsor Parkway
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Grades: 6-7
| 1,121 students
Rank: #3131.
Sunnyside Elementary School
Math: 85% | Reading: 75%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2700 S Maple St
Sioux City, IA 51106
(712) 274-4047
Grades: 3-5
| 246 students
Rank: #3232.
Davis Elementary School
Math: 79% | Reading: 77%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
818 Hamilton Avenue
Grinnell, IA 50112
(641) 236-2790
Grades: 3-4
| 213 students
Rank: #3333.
Sergeant Bluff-luton Senior High School
Math: 73% | Reading: 84%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
708 Warrior Road
Sergeant Bluff, IA 51054
(712) 943-5561
Grades: 9-12
| 504 students
Rank: #3434.
East Elementary School
Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
501 Normal College Ave
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-4337
Grades: PK-4
| 474 students
Rank: #3535.
Kee High School
Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
569 Center St
Lansing, IA 52151
(563) 538-4201
Grades: 9-12
| 108 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 Denver Senior High School, Hospers Elementary School and Mitchellville Elementary 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 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).

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