For the 2025 school year, there are 8 charter public schools serving 604 students in Iowa.
Learn more about how charter schools work. The top ranked charter public schools in Iowa are West Central Charter High School, Charter Oak-ute Junior High School and Charter Oak-ute Elementary 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 64%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Charter Public Schools in Iowa (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
West Central Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
305 Pember
Maynard, IA 50655
(563) 637-2283
Maynard, IA 50655
(563) 637-2283
Grades: 9-12
| 85 students
Rank: #22.
Charter Oak-ute Junior High School
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | 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
Grades: 6-8
| 61 students
Rank: #33.
Charter Oak-ute Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
321 Main
Charter Oak, IA 51439
(712) 678-3325
Charter Oak, IA 51439
(712) 678-3325
Grades: PK-5
| 110 students
Rank: n/an/a
Choice Charter School
Charter School
607 Center Street
Union, IA 50258
(515) 850-2545
Union, IA 50258
(515) 850-2545
Grades: 9-12
| 167 students
Rank: n/an/a
Empowering
Charter School
1800 1st Ave Ne # 201
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
(319) 550-3679
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
(319) 550-3679
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Hamburg Charter High Schools
Charter School
309 S Street
Hamburg, IA 51640
(712) 382-2017
Hamburg, IA 51640
(712) 382-2017
Grades: 9-12
| 50 students
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
Grades: K-3
| 79 students
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
Grades: 12
| 52 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked charter public schools in Iowa?
The top ranked charter public schools in Iowa include West Central Charter High School, Charter Oak-ute Junior High School and Charter Oak-ute Elementary 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 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.