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Public School Review - Established 2003

Top Iowa Public Schools Eligible For Free Lunch

Approximately 35% of public school students in Iowa are eligible for free lunch (2026).
The public schools with the highest eligible for free lunch are listed below (where sufficient data available).
The public school with the highest percentage of students eligible for free lunch in Iowa is Woodward Academy, with 100% of students eligible.
Eligible for Free Lunch Range: 76% 100% Avg. Eligible for Free Lunch: 82%

Public Schools Eligible For Free Lunch in Iowa (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Eligible for Free Lunch
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Woodward Academy
Alternative School
(Reading: <50%)
Eligible for Free Lunch: 100%
Grades: 5-12
1251 334th St
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-3150
Rank: #22.
Meskwaki Settlement School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 99%
Grades: K-12
1608 305th St
Tama, IA 52339
(641) 484-9000
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Edmunds Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 90%
Grades: K-5
950 15th Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 243-1174
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
King Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 90%
Grades: K-5
1849 Forest Ave
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8417
Rank: #55.
North Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 89%
Grades: 6-8
2101 Outer Dr N
Sioux City, IA 51108
(712) 279-6804
Rank: #66.
Moulton Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 88%
Grades: PK-5
1541 8th Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8427
Rank: #77.
Hunt Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 86%
Grades: PK-5
1114 W. 27th St
Sioux City, IA 51103
(712) 279-6833
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Irving Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 85%
Grades: K-5
901 Floyd Blvd
Sioux City, IA 51105
(712) 279-6834
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Monroe Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 85%
Grades: K-5
2250 30th St
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8425
Rank: #1010.
Hiatt Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 84%
Grades: 6-8
1430 E. University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-7774
Rank: #1111.
Capitol View Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 82%
Grades: PK-5
320 E. 16th
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8402
Rank: #12 - 1512. - 15.
Carver Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 81%
Grades: PK-5
705 E University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8418
Rank: #12 - 1512. - 15.
Cunningham School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 81%
Grades: PK-5
1224 Mobile St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2600
Rank: #12 - 1512. - 15.
Lovejoy Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 81%
Grades: K-5
801 E Kenyon Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8419
Rank: #12 - 1512. - 15.
Willard Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 81%
Grades: K-5
2941 Dean Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8439
Rank: #1616.
Howe Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 80%
Grades: K-5
2900 Indianola
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8413
Rank: #17 - 2017. - 20.
Garton Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 79%
Grades: PK-5
2820 E 24th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8408
Rank: #17 - 2017. - 20.
Harding Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 79%
Grades: 6-8
203 E Euclid Ave
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-8445
Rank: #17 - 2017. - 20.
Hoover Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 79%
Grades: K-5
4141 Johnson Ave Nw
Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
(319) 558-2369
Rank: #17 - 2017. - 20.
Irving Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 79%
Grades: K-5
1115 W. 5th Street
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2800
Rank: #21 - 2621. - 26.
Cora B Darling Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 78%
Grades: PK-6
312 W Post
Postville, IA 52162
(563) 864-7653
Rank: #21 - 2621. - 26.
Horizon Science Academy Des Moines
Charter School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 78%
Grades: PK-4
4801 Franklin Ave 2nd
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 335-1937
Rank: #21 - 2621. - 26.
Madison Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 78%
Grades: PK-5
806 E Hoffman St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8420
Rank: #21 - 2621. - 26.
Morris Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 78%
Grades: K-5
1401 Geil Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8421
Rank: #21 - 2621. - 26.
Prescott Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 78%
Grades: PK-5
1151 White St
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 552-4200
Rank: #21 - 2621. - 26.
Studebaker Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 78%
Grades: K-5
300 E County Line Rd
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8436
Rank: #27 - 3227. - 32.
Findley Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 77%
Grades: K-6
3025 Oxford Street
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 242-8407
Rank: #27 - 3227. - 32.
George Washington Carver Academy
(Math: 47% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 77%
Grades: 6-8
1505 Logan Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2500
Rank: #27 - 3227. - 32.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 77%
Grades: PK-5
1610 Se 6th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8423
Rank: #27 - 3227. - 32.
Rogers Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 77%
Grades: PK-4
406 Summit St
Marshalltown, IA 50158
(641) 754-1070
Rank: #27 - 3227. - 32.
South Union Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 77%
Grades: K-5
4201 South Union
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8409
Rank: #27 - 3227. - 32.
Van Buren Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 77%
Grades: K-5
2525 29th St Sw
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
(319) 558-2377
Rank: #33 - 3633. - 36.
Audubon Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 76%
Grades: PK-5
605 Lincoln Ave
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 552-3300
Rank: #33 - 3633. - 36.
Crestview School Of Inquiry
(Math: 56% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 76%
Grades: PK-6
8355 Franklin Avenue
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-5700
Rank: #33 - 3633. - 36.
Park Ave Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Eligible for Free Lunch: 76%
Grades: K-5
3141 Sw 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8429
Show 100 more public schools in IA (out of 1,302 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Iowa average of public schools students eligible for free lunch?
The Iowa average of public schools students eligible for free lunch is 35%% for 2026.
What are the public schools with the highest percentage of students eligible for free lunch in Iowa?
The best top-ranked public schools in Iowa include Woodward Academy, Meskwaki Settlement School and Edmunds Elementary School.
What is public high school and public elementary school with the highest percentage of students eligible for free lunch in Iowa?
The public high school with the highest percentage of students eligible for free lunch in Iowa is Woodward Academy, with a value of 100%. The public elementary school with the highest percentage of students eligible for free lunch is Woodward Academy, with a value of 100%.

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