Top 10 Best Iowa City Public Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 8,448 students in Iowa City, IA (there are 4 private schools, serving 1,149 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Iowa City, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top ranked public schools in Iowa City, IA are Bohumil Shimek Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School and West Senior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Iowa City, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 61% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 69% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Iowa City have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Iowa City, IA (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Bohumil Shimek Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1400 Grissel Place
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1160
Grades: PK-6
| 206 students
Rank: #22.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
300 Teeters Court
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319) 688-1130
Grades: K-6
| 231 students
Rank: #33.
West Senior High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2901 Melrose Ave
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319) 688-1050
Grades: 9-12
| 1,472 students
Rank: #44.
Horace Mann Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
521 N Dodge St
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1145
Grades: PK-6
| 229 students
Rank: #55.
Herbert Hoover Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1355 Barrington Rd
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1110
Grades: PK-6
| 515 students
Rank: #66.
Helen Lemme Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3100 Washington St
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1125
Grades: PK-6
| 371 students
Rank: #77.
Iowa City High School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1900 Morningside Dr
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1040
Grades: 9-12
| 1,606 students
Rank: #88.
Weber Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3850 Rohret Road
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319) 688-1170
Grades: K-6
| 542 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Ernest Horn Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
600 Koser Ave
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319) 688-1115
Grades: PK-6
| 430 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Longfellow Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1130 Seymour Ave
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1135
Grades: K-6
| 361 students
Rank: #1111.
Southeast Junior High School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2501 Bradford Dr
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1070
Grades: 7-8
| 853 students
Rank: #1212.
Robert Lucas Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
830 Southlawn Dr
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1140
Grades: PK-6
| 274 students
Rank: #1313.
Iccsd Pk-12 Online Learning Program
(Math: 46% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1725 N Dodge Street
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1000
Grades: K-12
| 172 students
Rank: #1414.
Alexander Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3571 Sycamore St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1095
Grades: PK-6
| 363 students
Rank: #1515.
Mark Twain Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1355 Deforest Avenue
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1165
Grades: PK-6
| 241 students
Rank: #1616.
Grant Wood Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1930 Lakeside Dr
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1180
Grades: PK-6
| 391 students
Rank: #1717.
Elizabeth Tate Alt. High School
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1528 Mall Drive
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1080
Grades: 9-12
| 191 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Iowa City, Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
2200 E Court St
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1110
Grades: PK-6
| 297 students
611 Greenwood Dr
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319) 688-1155
Grades: PK-6
| 289 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Iowa City, IA?
The top ranked public schools in Iowa City, IA include Bohumil Shimek Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School and West Senior High School.
How many public schools are located in Iowa City?
17 public schools are located in Iowa City.
What percentage of students in Iowa City go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Iowa City are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Iowa City?
Iowa City public schools minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Iowa City are often viewed compared to one another?

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