For the 2026-27 school year, there are 7 public elementary schools serving 3,197 students in Cedar Falls, IA. The top-ranked public elementary schools in Cedar Falls, IA are Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School, Helen A Hansen Elementary School and Southdale Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cedar Falls, IA public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 81% (versus the Iowa public elementary school average of 70%), and reading proficiency score of 82% (versus the 69% statewide average). Elementary schools in Cedar Falls have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Iowa public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public elementary school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Cedar Falls, IA (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School
(Math: 89% | 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
Gr: PK-6 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22.
Helen A Hansen Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
616 Holmes Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2775
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2775
Gr: PK-6 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #33.
Southdale Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
627 Orchard Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2900
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2900
Gr: PK-6 | 539 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #44.
Orchard Hill Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3909 Rownd St
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2465
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2465
Gr: PK-6 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #55.
North Cedar Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2419 Fern Ave
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2810
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2810
Gr: PK-6 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #66.
Cedar Heights Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2417 Rainbow Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2855
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2855
Gr: PK-6 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #77.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
321 8th Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2950
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2950
Gr: PK-6 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Cedar Falls, Iowa Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Cedar Falls Alternative High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
3809 Cedar Heights Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2445
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2445
Gr: 9-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
1002 W 1st St
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2439
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2439
Gr: K-12 | 44 students Minority enrollment: 25%
River Hills (Closed 2015)
Special Education School
2700 Grand Blvd
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 268-7775
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 268-7775
Gr: PK-12 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Cedar Falls, IA?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Cedar Falls, IA include Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School, Helen A Hansen Elementary School and Southdale Elementary School. Cedar Falls has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Iowa.
How many public elementary schools are located in Cedar Falls?
7 public elementary schools are located in Cedar Falls.
What is the racial composition of students in Cedar Falls?
Cedar Falls public elementary schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public elementary schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Cedar Falls are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Cedar Falls include: North Cedar Elementary School vs. Orchard Hill Elementary School, Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School vs. Helen A Hansen Elementary School, Orchard Hill Elementary School vs. North Cedar Elementary School
Recent Articles
What Makes an Elementary School Feel Supportive?
Discover what makes one elementary school more supportive than another, from teacher relationships and family communication to classroom attention, belonging, student services, leadership, routines, and responsive academic support systems.
Second School Tour: Questions Parents Forget to Ask
A second school tour can reveal what families miss initially. Learn which questions to ask about teachers, support, schedules, safety, communication, programs, and everyday student life before enrolling.
Attendance Policies Are Changing: Parent Guide 2026
Attendance policies are changing across public schools. Learn what parents should examine about absences, tardiness, interventions, flexibility, communication, and student support before choosing a school for their child today.