For the 2026-27 school year, there are 8 charter public schools serving 898 students in Iowa.
Learn more about how charter schools work. The top-ranked charter public schools in Iowa are Charter Oak-ute Elementary School, West Central Charter High School and Charter Oak-ute Junior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Iowa charter public schools have an average math proficiency score of 56% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Best Charter Public Schools in Iowa (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Charter Oak-ute Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
321 Main
Charter Oak, IA 51439
(712) 678-3325
Charter Oak, IA 51439
(712) 678-3325
Gr: PK-5 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #22.
West Central Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
305 Pember
Maynard, IA 50655
(563) 637-2283
Maynard, IA 50655
(563) 637-2283
Gr: 9-12 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #33.
Charter Oak-ute Junior High School
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
321 Main St
Charter Oak, IA 51439
(712) 678-3325
Charter Oak, IA 51439
(712) 678-3325
Gr: 6-8 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: n/an/a
Choice Charter School
Charter School
607 Center Street
Union, IA 50258
(515) 850-2545
Union, IA 50258
(515) 850-2545
Gr: 7-12 | 257 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: n/an/a
Empowering Excellence Charter School
Charter School
1800 1st Ave Ne # 201
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
(319) 451-9243
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
(319) 451-9243
Gr: 9-12 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 120:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: n/an/a
Hamburg Charter High School
Charter School
309 S Street
Hamburg, IA 51640
(712) 382-2017
Hamburg, IA 51640
(712) 382-2017
Gr: 9-12 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: n/an/a
Horizon Science Academy Des Moines
Charter School
4801 Franklin Ave 2nd
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 335-1937
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 335-1937
Gr: PK-4 | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: n/an/a
St. Lake/ia Cntrl/buena Vista Early College High School
Charter School
621 Tornado Dr
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8065
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 732-8065
Gr: 12 | 50 students Minority enrollment: 90%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked charter public schools in Iowa?
The top-ranked charter public schools in Iowa include Charter Oak-ute Elementary School, West Central Charter High School and Charter Oak-ute Junior High School.
How many charter public schools are located in Iowa?
8 charter public schools are located in Iowa.
What is the racial composition of students in Iowa?
Iowa charter public schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
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