For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public high schools serving 6,850 students in Black Hawk County, IA.
The top-ranked public high schools in Black Hawk County, IA are Peet Junior High School, Holmes Junior High School and Hudson High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Black Hawk County, IA public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 66% (versus the Iowa public high school average of 65%), and reading proficiency score of 70% (versus the 71% statewide average). High schools in Black Hawk County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public high schools.
Black Hawk County, IA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 80%, which is less than the Iowa average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Union High School, with 90-94% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Iowa or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public high school average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Black Hawk County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Peet Junior High School
(Math: 82% | 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
Gr: 7-9 | 695 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #22.
Holmes Junior High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
505 Holmes Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2650
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2650
Gr: 7-9 | 628 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #33.
Hudson High School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
245 S Washington
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-4226
Hudson, IA 50643
(319) 988-4226
Gr: 7-12 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
Cedar Falls High School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2701 W 27th St
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2500
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2500
Gr: 10-12 | 1,333 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #55.
Union High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
200 Adams St
La Porte City, IA 50651
(319) 342-2697
La Porte City, IA 50651
(319) 342-2697
Gr: 9-12 | 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
Dunkerton High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
509 Canfield
Dunkerton, IA 50626
(319) 822-4295
Dunkerton, IA 50626
(319) 822-4295
Gr: 6-12 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #77.
West High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
425 E Ridgeway Ave
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2700
Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 433-2700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,696 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #88.
East High School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
214 High St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2400
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,016 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #99.
Expo Alternative Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1410 Independence Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Gr: 6-12 | 561 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public high schools in Black Hawk County, IA?
The top-ranked public high schools in Black Hawk County, IA include Peet Junior High School, Holmes Junior High School and Hudson High School.
How many public high schools are located in Black Hawk County?
9 public high schools are located in Black Hawk County.
What is the racial composition of students in Black Hawk County?
Black Hawk County public high schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public high schools average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Black Hawk County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Black Hawk County include: West High School vs. East High School, East High School vs. West High School, Expo Alternative Learning Center vs. East High School
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