Iowa is the #27 largest school system in the United States, serving 497,791 students across the 1,322 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 259 private schools, serving 52,668 students). 90% 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 (2026-27)
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
1,322 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
497,791 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
# Teachers
35,023 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (IA)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
68%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
70%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
63%
43%
Graduation Rate
87.5%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
35%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.48
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
1,846 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
Showing 2006–2019. Full 23-year historical data available below ↓
# Asian Students
12,368 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
3%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
67,773 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
14%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
36,325 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
7%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
349,371 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
70%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
3,583 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
n/a
# Two or more races Students
25,649 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 16-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (IA)
Statewide Total Revenue
$9,049 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$9,021 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$18,179
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$18,122
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Iowa Public Schools by County (2026-27)
Popular neighborhoods: Prairie Trail (4 schools), Cedar Hills (4 schools), Downtown Des Moines (4 schools), Penn (4 schools), Capitol Park (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?
1,322 public schools are located in Iowa.
What percentage of students in Iowa go to public school?
90% 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: Wapello Junior High School vs. Wapello Senior High School, Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School vs. Eagle Grove High School, North Butler Elementary School vs. North Butler Jr/sr High School
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