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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Iowa City Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 8,645 students in Iowa City, IA (there are 4 private schools, serving 1,068 private students). 89% 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 Horace Mann Elementary 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 63% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), 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 56% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Iowa City, IA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bohumil Shimek Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1400 Grissel Place
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1160
Gr: PK-5 | 181 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #22.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
300 Teeters Court
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319) 688-1130
Gr: PK-5 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #33.
Horace Mann Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
521 N Dodge St
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1145
Gr: PK-5 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #44.
Helen Lemme Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3100 Washington St
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1125
Gr: PK-5 | 340 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #55.
West Senior High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2901 Melrose Ave
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319) 688-1050
Gr: 9-12 | 1,514 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #66.
Herbert Hoover Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1355 Barrington Rd
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1110
Gr: PK-5 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #77.
Weber Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3850 Rohret Road
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319) 688-1170
Gr: PK-5 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #88.
Iowa City High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1900 Morningside Dr
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1040
Gr: 9-12 | 1,666 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #99.
Robert Lucas Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
830 Southlawn Dr
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1140
Gr: PK-5 | 245 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1010.
Ernest Horn Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
600 Koser Ave
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319) 688-1115
Gr: PK-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1111.
Southeast Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2501 Bradford Dr
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1070
Gr: 6-8 | 1,269 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1212.
Longfellow Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1130 Seymour Ave
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1135
Gr: PK-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1313.
Iccsd Online Learning Program
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1725 N Dodge Street
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1000
Gr: K-12 | 173 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
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
Gr: PK-5 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1616.
Grant Wood Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1930 Lakeside Dr
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1180
Gr: PK-5 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1717.
Elizabeth Tate Alt. High School
Alternative School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1528 Mall Drive
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1080
Gr: 9-12 | 180 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 73%

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 Horace Mann Elementary 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?
89% 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 56% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Iowa City are often viewed compared to one another?

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