The ranking below is based on the percentage of schools within a county which have placed in the top 10% of all schools statewide.
A school's overall rank is based on its combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Schools are ranked and compared within their own state only.
Statewide Range: 22%
38%
Avg. Statewide: 28%
Top-Ranked Counties With Best Public Schools in Iowa (2026)
County
% of Schools in
Top 10% Statewide
Top 10% Statewide
Top-Ranked Schools
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
Rank: #11.
38%
(3 out of 8)
(3 out of 8)
- North Kossuth Elementary School
Rank: #36 of 1,223 (Top 5%)
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 85-89%) - North Union Middle School
Rank: #43 of 1,223 (Top 5%)
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%) - North Union Elementary School
Rank: #56 of 1,223 (Top 5%)
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 80-89%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Kossuth County, IA Schools
Rank: #2-32 - 3.
31%
(5 out of 16)
(5 out of 16)
- Denver Senior High School
Rank: #5 of 1,223 (Top 1%)
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%) - Readlyn Elementary School
Rank: #5 of 1,223 (Top 1%)
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%) - Denver Elementary School - Lincoln Street Building
Rank: #8 of 1,223 (Top 1%)
(Math: 95% | Reading: 91%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Bremer County, IA Schools
Rank: #2-32 - 3.
31%
(5 out of 16)
(5 out of 16)
- Hinton Intermediate School
Rank: #43 of 1,223 (Top 5%)
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%) - Akron Westfield Elementary School
Rank: #65 of 1,223 (Top 10%)
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%) - Hinton Elementary School
Rank: #73 of 1,223 (Top 10%)
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-89%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Plymouth County, IA Schools
Rank: #4-54 - 5.
27%
(8 out of 30)
(8 out of 30)
Rank: #4-54 - 5.
27%
(7 out of 26)
(7 out of 26)
Rank: #66.
25%
(3 out of 12)
(3 out of 12)
- Grundy Center Middle School
Rank: #26 of 1,223 (Top 5%)
(Math: 91% | Reading: 90%) - Grundy Center High School
Rank: #43 of 1,223 (Top 5%)
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%) - Dike Elementary School
Rank: #101 of 1,223 (Top 10%)
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Grundy County, IA Schools
Rank: #77.
22%
(11 out of 49)
(11 out of 49)
- Hopewell Elementary School
Rank: #1 of 1,223 (Top 1%)
(Math: 98% | Reading: 93%) - Pleasant View Elementary School
Rank: #9 of 1,223 (Top 1%)
(Math: 92% | Reading: 91%) - Forest Grove Elementary School
Rank: #19 of 1,223 (Top 5%)
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Scott County, IA Schools
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