For the 2025 school year, there are 78 blue ribbon public schools serving 31,062 students in Iowa.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top ranked blue ribbon public schools in Iowa are Denver Senior High School, Gilbert High School and Prairie Trail Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Iowa blue ribbon public schools have an average math proficiency score of 77% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Schools in Iowa (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Denver Senior High School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
800 Longview Drive
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 984-5639
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 984-5639
Grades: 9-12
| 273 students
Rank: #22.
Gilbert High School
(Math: 90% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
312 Gretten
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Grades: 9-12
| 528 students
Rank: #33.
Prairie Trail Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1850 Sw College Ave
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9605
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9605
Grades: K-5
| 542 students
Rank: #44.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1705 Ne Trilein Dr
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9620
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9620
Grades: K-5
| 631 students
Rank: #55.
Webster Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
12955 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Grades: PK-5
| 546 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
East Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
501 Normal College Ave
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-4337
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-4337
Grades: PK-4
| 460 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Mitchellville Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
308 Elm Ave Nw
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Grades: PK-5
| 244 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Taft Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
612 2nd Ave North
Humboldt, IA 50548
(515) 332-3216
Humboldt, IA 50548
(515) 332-3216
Grades: 1-4
| 415 students
Rank: #6 - 96. - 9.
Whittier Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1310 2nd Ave S
Clinton, IA 52732
(563) 243-3230
Clinton, IA 52732
(563) 243-3230
Grades: K-5
| 337 students
Rank: #1010.
Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2526 Ashworth Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2901
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2901
Grades: PK-6
| 475 students
Rank: #1111.
Pella High School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
212 E University St
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3870
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3870
Grades: 9-12
| 791 students
Rank: #1212.
Decorah High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
100 Claiborne Drive
Decorah, IA 52101
(563) 382-3643
Decorah, IA 52101
(563) 382-3643
Grades: 9-12
| 569 students
Rank: #1313.
Grundy Center Middle School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1006 M Ave
Grundy Center, IA 50638
(319) 825-5464
Grundy Center, IA 50638
(319) 825-5464
Grades: 5-8
| 217 students
Rank: #1414.
North Kossuth Elementary School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
203 5th Street North
Swea City, IA 50590
(515) 272-4361
Swea City, IA 50590
(515) 272-4361
Grades: PK-5
| 140 students
Rank: #1515.
Van Meter High School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
520 1st Ave
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Grades: 9-12
| 305 students
Rank: #1616.
Helen A Hansen Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
616 Holmes Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2775
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2775
Grades: PK-6
| 565 students
Rank: #17 - 2017. - 20.
Bedford Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
906 Pennsylvania St
Bedford, IA 50833
(712) 523-2116
Bedford, IA 50833
(712) 523-2116
Grades: PK-5
| 280 students
Rank: #17 - 2017. - 20.
Bryant Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1280 Rush St
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 552-3400
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 552-3400
Grades: PK-5
| 314 students
Rank: #17 - 2017. - 20.
Delwood Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
311 Delmar Ave
Delmar, IA 52037
(563) 674-4164
Delmar, IA 52037
(563) 674-4164
Grades: PK-6
| 161 students
Rank: #17 - 2017. - 20.
Runnells Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6575 Se 116th Street
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Grades: PK-5
| 276 students
Rank: #2121.
West Lyon High School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1787 182nd Street
Inwood, IA 51240
(712) 753-4917
Inwood, IA 51240
(712) 753-4917
Grades: 9-12
| 284 students
Rank: #2222.
Adm Senior High School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
801 Nile Kinnick Dr S
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4584
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4584
Grades: 9-12
| 682 students
Rank: #2323.
Peet Junior High School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
525 E Seerley Blvd
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2710
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2710
Grades: 7-9
| 690 students
Rank: #2424.
Summit Middle School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
9500 Windsor Parkway
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Grades: 6-7
| 1,135 students
Rank: #2525.
Vinton-shellsburg Middle School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
212 W. 15th St.
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Grades: 6-8
| 337 students
Rank: #2626.
Maquoketa Valley Middle School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
112 Third Street
Delhi, IA 52223
(563) 922-9411
Delhi, IA 52223
(563) 922-9411
Grades: 6-8
| 147 students
Rank: #2727.
Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
400 3rd Ave Se
Le Mars, IA 51031
(712) 546-4185
Le Mars, IA 51031
(712) 546-4185
Grades: K-5
| 273 students
Rank: #2828.
Sergeant Bluff-luton Senior High School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
708 Warrior Road
Sergeant Bluff, IA 51054
(712) 943-5561
Sergeant Bluff, IA 51054
(712) 943-5561
Grades: 9-12
| 537 students
Rank: #2929.
Pleasant Valley High School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
604 Belmont Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-5151
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-5151
Grades: 9-12
| 1,679 students
Rank: #3030.
Moc-floyd Valley High School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
615 8th St Se
Orange City, IA 51041
(712) 737-4871
Orange City, IA 51041
(712) 737-4871
Grades: 9-12
| 496 students
Rank: #3131.
Davis Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
818 Hamilton Avenue
Grinnell, IA 50112
(641) 236-2790
Grinnell, IA 50112
(641) 236-2790
Grades: 3-4
| 228 students
Rank: #3232.
Harlan High School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2102 Durant
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3101
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3101
Grades: 9-12
| 477 students
Rank: #3333.
Carroll High School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2809 N Grant Rd
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-8010
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-8010
Grades: 9-12
| 545 students
Rank: #34 - 3734. - 37.
Altoona Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
301 6th St Sw
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-3771
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-3771
Grades: PK-5
| 423 students
Rank: #34 - 3734. - 37.
Indian Creek Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2900 Indian Creek Rd
Marion, IA 52302
(319) 447-3270
Marion, IA 52302
(319) 447-3270
Grades: K-4
| 376 students
Show 43 more public schools in Iowa (out of 78 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked blue ribbon public schools in Iowa?
The top ranked blue ribbon public schools in Iowa include Denver Senior High School, Gilbert High School and Prairie Trail Elementary School.
How many blue ribbon public schools are located in Iowa?
78 blue ribbon public schools are located in Iowa.
What is the racial composition of students in Iowa?
Iowa blue ribbon public schools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
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