Iowa is the #27 largest school system in the United States, serving 497,928 students across the 1,323 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 247 private schools, serving 48,075 students). 91% of all K-12 students in Iowa attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Iowa is 68%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 70%.
The top-ranked public schools in Iowa are Hopewell Elementary School, Treynor High School, and Treynor Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 30%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Iowa (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Hopewell Elementary School
(Math: 98% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 98% (Top 1%)
Reading: 93% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
3900 Hopewell Ave
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-0250
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-0250
Rank: #22.
Treynor High School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
102 E Main St
Treynor, IA 51575
(712) 487-3804
Treynor, IA 51575
(712) 487-3804
Rank: #33.
Treynor Middle School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
102 E Main St
Treynor, IA 51575
(712) 487-3181
Treynor, IA 51575
(712) 487-3181
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Denver Senior High School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
800 Longview Drive
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 984-5639
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 984-5639
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
North Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
400 Nw 27th St
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-5674
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-5674
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Readlyn Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
200 E 4th St
Readlyn, IA 50668
(319) 279-3323
Readlyn, IA 50668
(319) 279-3323
Rank: #77.
Denver Elementary School - Lincoln Street Building
(Math: 95% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
530 Lincoln
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 984-5611
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 984-5611
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Gilbert High School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 5%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
312 Gretten
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Pleasant View Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-6
6333 Crow Creek Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-5575
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-5575
Rank: #1010.
Van Meter Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 5%)
Reading: 93% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
520 1st Ave
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Overview
This State (IA)
US
# Schools
1,323 Schools
100,525 Schools
# Students
497,928 Students
49,339,277 Students
# Teachers
35,028 Teachers
3,180,552 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (IA)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
68%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
70%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
63%
43%
Graduation Rate
90%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
35%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.48
0.71
# American Indian Students
1,846 Students
466,525 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
12,370 Students
2,807,520 Students
% Asian Students
3%
6%
# Hispanic Students
67,778 Students
14,955,622 Students
% Hispanic Students
14%
30%
# Black Students
36,329 Students
7,274,090 Students
% Black Students
7%
15%
# White Students
349,494 Students
21,014,271 Students
% White Students
70%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
3,584 Students
196,971 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
n/a
# Two or more races Students
25,651 Students
2,588,398 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (IA)
Total Revenue (24-25)
$8,262 MM
Spending (24-25)
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student (24-25)
$16,592
Spending / Student (24-25)
$16,163
Best Iowa Public Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: Prairie Trail (4 schools), Cedar Hills (4 schools), Penn (4 schools), Capitol Park (3 schools), Downtown Des Moines (3 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Iowa?
The top-ranked public schools in Iowa include Hopewell Elementary School, Treynor High School, and Treynor Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Iowa?
1,323 public schools are located in Iowa.
What percentage of students in Iowa go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Iowa attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Iowa?
Minority enrollment in Iowa is 30%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in Iowa are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Iowa include: James Wilson Grimes School vs. Black Hawk Elementary School, Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School vs. Eagle Grove High School, Hempstead High School vs. Dubuque Senior High School
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