For the 2025 school year, there are 20 blue ribbon public high schools serving 10,037 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 high schools in Iowa are Denver Senior High School, Gilbert High School and Pella High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Iowa blue ribbon public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 78% (versus the Iowa public high school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 84% (versus the 71% statewide average).
Iowa blue ribbon public high school have a Graduation Rate of 94%, which is more than the Iowa average of 88%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Lewis Central Senior High School, with 96% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Iowa or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public high school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public High 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.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Kee High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
569 Center St
Lansing, IA 52151
(563) 538-4201
Lansing, IA 52151
(563) 538-4201
Grades: 9-12
| 91 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Westside Junior-senior High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
108 Clinton St
Westside, IA 51467
(712) 663-4311
Westside, IA 51467
(712) 663-4311
Grades: 6-12
| 114 students
Rank: #1616.
Center Point-urbana High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
145 Iowa Street
Center Point, IA 52213
(319) 849-1102
Center Point, IA 52213
(319) 849-1102
Grades: 9-12
| 462 students
Rank: #1717.
Lewis Central Senior High School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3504 Harry Langdon Blvd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 366-8322
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 366-8322
Grades: 9-12
| 1,002 students
Rank: #1818.
Mmcru High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
400 Highland Drive
Marcus, IA 51035
(712) 376-4172
Marcus, IA 51035
(712) 376-4172
Grades: 9-12
| 208 students
Rank: #1919.
Ridge View High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
519 E Maple
Holstein, IA 51025
(712) 368-4353
Holstein, IA 51025
(712) 368-4353
Grades: 9-12
| 238 students
Rank: #2020.
Whiting Senior High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
606 West St
Whiting, IA 51063
(712) 455-2468
Whiting, IA 51063
(712) 455-2468
Grades: 7-12
| 66 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked blue ribbon public high schools in Iowa?
The top ranked blue ribbon public high schools in Iowa include Denver Senior High School, Gilbert High School and Pella High School.
How many blue ribbon public high schools are located in Iowa?
20 blue ribbon public high schools are located in Iowa.
What is the racial composition of students in Iowa?
Iowa blue ribbon public high schools minority enrollment is 16% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public high schools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
