For the 2024-25 school year, there are 20 blue ribbon public high schools serving 9,874 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 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public high school average of 26% (majority Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public High Schools in Iowa (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Denver Senior High School
Magnet 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
| 262 students
Rank: #22.
Gilbert High School
Magnet 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
| 537 students
Rank: #33.
Pella High School
Magnet 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
| 764 students
Rank: #44.
Decorah High School
Magnet 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
| 576 students
Rank: #55.
Van Meter High School
Magnet 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
| 292 students
Rank: #66.
West Lyon High School
Magnet 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
| 307 students
Rank: #77.
Adm Senior High School
Magnet 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
| 651 students
Rank: #88.
Peet Junior High School
Magnet 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
| 670 students
Rank: #99.
Sergeant Bluff-luton Senior High School
Magnet 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
| 533 students
Rank: #1010.
Pleasant Valley High School
Magnet 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
| 1,658 students
Rank: #1111.
Moc-floyd Valley High School
Magnet 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
| 487 students
Rank: #1212.
Harlan High School
Magnet 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
Magnet 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
| 544 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Kee High School
Magnet 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
| 99 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Westside Junior-senior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
108 Clinton St
Westside, IA 51467
(712) 663-4312
Westside, IA 51467
(712) 663-4312
Grades: 6-12
| 106 students
Rank: #1616.
Center Point-urbana High School
Magnet 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
| 463 students
Rank: #1717.
Lewis Central Senior High School
Magnet 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
| 927 students
Rank: #1818.
Mmcru High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
400 E Fenton St
Marcus, IA 51035
(712) 376-4172
Marcus, IA 51035
(712) 376-4172
Grades: 9-12
| 203 students
Rank: #1919.
Ridge View High School
Magnet 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
| 239 students
Rank: #2020.
Whiting Senior High School
Magnet 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
| 79 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 15% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public high schools average of 26% (majority Hispanic).
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