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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Cedar County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 3,110 students in Cedar County, IA (there are 2 private schools, serving 37 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Cedar County, IA are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Cedar County, IA are Durant Elementary School, West Branch Middle School and North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cedar County, IA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 70% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 74% (versus the 70% statewide average). Schools in Cedar County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Iowa public schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Cedar County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Durant Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
408 7th St
Durant, IA 52747
(563) 785-4433
Gr: PK-6 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
West Branch Middle School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
900 W. Main St.
West Branch, IA 52358
(319) 643-5324
Gr: 5-8 | 239 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #33.
North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
703 Park Avenue
Lowden, IA 52255
(563) 941-5383
Gr: PK-6 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
West Branch High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
900 W Main
West Branch, IA 52358
(319) 643-7216
Gr: 9-12 | 273 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #55.
Tipton High School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
400 E 6th St
Tipton, IA 52772
(563) 886-6027
Gr: 9-12 | 302 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #66.
North Cedar Mechanicsville Elementary Center
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
609 125th St.
Mechanicsville, IA 52306
(563) 432-6933
Gr: PK-6 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #77.
Tipton Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
601 Lemon
Tipton, IA 52772
(563) 886-6131
Gr: PK-4 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #88.
Tipton Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
725 West 7th St.
Tipton, IA 52772
(563) 886-6025
Gr: 5-8 | 256 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Hoover Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
148 N Oliphant
West Branch, IA 52358
(319) 643-7211
Gr: PK-4 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
North Cedar Jr/sr High School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
400 Ball Street
Clarence, IA 52216
(563) 452-3179
Gr: 7-12 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1111.
Bennett Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
300 Cedar St
Bennett, IA 52721
(563) 890-2226
Gr: PK-6 | 76 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1212.
Durant Junior/senior High School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
408 7th St
Durant, IA 52747
(563) 785-4431
Gr: 7-12 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: n/an/a
West Branch Community Early Learning Center
400 W. Orange St.
West Branch, IA 52358
(319) 643-7447
Gr: PK | 15 students Minority enrollment: 20%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Cedar County, IA?
The top-ranked public schools in Cedar County, IA include Durant Elementary School, West Branch Middle School and North Cedar Lowden Elementary Center.
How many public schools are located in Cedar County?
12 public schools are located in Cedar County.
What percentage of students in Cedar County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Cedar County are educated in public schools (compared to the IA state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cedar County?
Cedar County public schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cedar County are often viewed compared to one another?

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