For the 2025 school year, there are 32 blue ribbon public preschools serving 10,499 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 preschools in Iowa are Webster Elementary School, East Elementary School and Mitchellville Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Iowa blue ribbon public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 79% (versus the Iowa public pre school average of 70%), and reading proficiency score of 77% (versus the 69% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public preschool average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Preschools in Iowa (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #7 - 107. - 10.
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: #7 - 107. - 10.
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: #7 - 107. - 10.
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: #7 - 107. - 10.
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: #11 - 1311. - 13.
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: #11 - 1311. - 13.
Mount Ayr Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
607 E Jefferson
Mount Ayr, IA 50854
(641) 464-0537
Mount Ayr, IA 50854
(641) 464-0537
Grades: PK-6
| 348 students
Rank: #11 - 1311. - 13.
Okoboji Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
705 N Ave
Milford, IA 51351
(712) 338-2458
Milford, IA 51351
(712) 338-2458
Grades: PK-4
| 505 students
Rank: #1414.
Norman Borlaug Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1000 Kennedy Parkway
Coralville, IA 52241
(319) 688-1155
Coralville, IA 52241
(319) 688-1155
Grades: PK-6
| 451 students
Rank: #1515.
South Central Calhoun Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
330 Brower Street
Rockwell City, IA 50579
(712) 297-8621
Rockwell City, IA 50579
(712) 297-8621
Grades: PK-3
| 307 students
Rank: #1616.
Tilford Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
308 E 13th St
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Grades: PK-4
| 558 students
Rank: #1717.
Corning Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1012 10th St
Corning, IA 50841
(641) 322-4020
Corning, IA 50841
(641) 322-4020
Grades: PK-5
| 212 students
Rank: #1818.
Fredericksburg Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
401 E High St
Fredericksburg, IA 50630
(563) 237-5364
Fredericksburg, IA 50630
(563) 237-5364
Grades: PK-4
| 127 students
Rank: #1919.
Central Springs Elementary Manly Campus
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
105 S East St
Manly, IA 50456
(641) 454-3283
Manly, IA 50456
(641) 454-3283
Grades: PK-3
| 135 students
Rank: #2020.
Dayton Center
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
104 2nd St. Nw
Dayton, IA 50530
(515) 547-2314
Dayton, IA 50530
(515) 547-2314
Grades: PK-4
| 205 students
Rank: #2121.
Whittier Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1306 W Salem
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9570
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9570
Grades: PK-5
| 397 students
Rank: #2222.
Tipton Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
601 Lemon
Tipton, IA 52772
(563) 886-6131
Tipton, IA 52772
(563) 886-6131
Grades: PK-4
| 315 students
Rank: #2323.
Perry Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1600 8th Street
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-5656
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-5656
Grades: PK-5
| 869 students
Rank: #2424.
Harris-lake Park Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
105 Ave A West
Lake Park, IA 51347
(712) 832-3437
Lake Park, IA 51347
(712) 832-3437
Grades: PK-5
| 167 students
Rank: #2525.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
321 8th Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2950
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2950
Grades: PK-6
| 448 students
Rank: #2626.
Bennett Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
300 Cedar St
Bennett, IA 52721
(563) 890-2226
Bennett, IA 52721
(563) 890-2226
Grades: PK-6
| 72 students
Rank: #2727.
Earlville Elementary School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥80% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
213 Stow St
Earlville, IA 52041
(563) 923-3225
Earlville, IA 52041
(563) 923-3225
Grades: PK-K
| 96 students
Rank: #2828.
Nixon Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
200 Nixon Dr
Hiawatha, IA 52233
(319) 558-2188
Hiawatha, IA 52233
(319) 558-2188
Grades: PK-5
| 284 students
Rank: #2929.
Murray Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
216 Sherman
Murray, IA 50174
(641) 447-2517
Murray, IA 50174
(641) 447-2517
Grades: PK-5
| 163 students
Rank: #3030.
Rue Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3326 6th Avenue
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
(712) 328-6540
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
(712) 328-6540
Grades: PK-5
| 356 students
Rank: #3131.
Charter Oak-ute Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
321 Main
Charter Oak, IA 51439
(712) 678-3325
Charter Oak, IA 51439
(712) 678-3325
Grades: PK-5
| 110 students
Rank: n/an/a
306 S Park Lane Dr
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-2185
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-2185
Grades: PK-2
| 490 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Iowa?
The top ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Iowa include Webster Elementary School, East Elementary School and Mitchellville Elementary School.
How many blue ribbon public preschools are located in Iowa?
32 blue ribbon public preschools are located in Iowa.
What is the racial composition of students in Iowa?
Iowa blue ribbon public preschools minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public preschools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
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