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Best Blue Ribbon Public Schools in Iowa (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Iowa Blue Ribbon Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 82 blue ribbon public schools serving 30,986 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 80% (versus the Iowa public school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public school average of 30% (majority Hispanic).

Best Blue Ribbon Public Schools in Iowa (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Denver Senior High School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
800 Longview Drive
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 984-5639
Gr: 9-12 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #22.
Gilbert High School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
312 Gretten
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Gr: 9-12 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
Prairie Trail Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1850 Sw College Ave
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9605
Gr: K-5 | 526 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #44.
Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2526 Ashworth Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2901
Gr: PK-6 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Mitchellville Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
308 Elm Ave Nw
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Gr: PK-5 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Whittier Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1310 2nd Ave S
Clinton, IA 52732
(563) 243-3230
Gr: K-5 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #77.
Grundy Center Middle School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1006 M Ave
Grundy Center, IA 50638
(319) 825-5464
Gr: 5-8 | 219 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Decorah High School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
100 Claiborne Drive
Decorah, IA 52101
(563) 382-3643
Gr: 9-12 | 555 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Pella High School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
212 E University St
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3870
Gr: 9-12 | 801 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1010.
Van Meter High School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
520 1st Ave
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Gr: 9-12 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1111.
Taft Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
612 2nd Ave North
Humboldt, IA 50548
(515) 332-3216
Gr: 1-4 | 369 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1212.
North Kossuth Elementary School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
203 5th Street North
Swea City, IA 50590
(515) 272-4361
Gr: PK-5 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1313.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1705 Ne Trilein Dr
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9620
Gr: K-5 | 595 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1414.
Helen A Hansen Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
616 Holmes Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2775
Gr: PK-6 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1515.
Webster Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
12955 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Gr: PK-5 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Bedford Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
906 Pennsylvania St
Bedford, IA 50833
(712) 523-2116
Gr: PK-5 | 269 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Runnells Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6575 Se 116th Street
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Gr: PK-5 | 260 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1818.
Adm Senior High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
801 Nile Kinnick Dr S
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4584
Gr: 9-12 | 666 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Pleasant Valley High School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
604 Belmont Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-5151
Gr: 9-12 | 1,731 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
West Lyon High School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1787 182nd Street
Inwood, IA 51240
(712) 753-4917
Gr: 9-12 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #21 - 2321. - 23.
Bryant Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1280 Rush St
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 552-3400
Gr: PK-5 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #21 - 2321. - 23.
Delwood Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
311 Delmar Ave
Delmar, IA 52037
(563) 674-4164
Gr: PK-6 | 142 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #21 - 2321. - 23.
Maquoketa Valley Middle School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
112 Third Street
Delhi, IA 52223
(563) 922-9411
Gr: 6-8 | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #2424.
Peet Junior High School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
525 E Seerley Blvd
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2710
Gr: 7-9 | 695 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #2525.
Vinton-shellsburg Middle School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
212 W. 15th St.
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Gr: 6-8 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #2626.
Sunnyside Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2700 S Maple St
Sioux City, IA 51106
(712) 274-4047
Gr: 3-5 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #2727.
Moc-floyd Valley High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
615 8th St Se
Orange City, IA 51041
(712) 737-4871
Gr: 9-12 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2828.
Davis Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
818 Hamilton Avenue
Grinnell, IA 50112
(641) 236-2700
Gr: 3-4 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #2929.
Westside Junior-senior High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
108 Clinton St
Westside, IA 51467
(712) 663-4311
Gr: 6-12 | 108 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #3030.
Rock Run Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
710 North St
Iowa Falls, IA 50126
(641) 648-6420
Gr: 2-5 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #3131.
East Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
501 Normal College Ave
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-4337
Gr: PK-4 | 468 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #3232.
Carroll High School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2809 N Grant Rd
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-8010
Gr: 9-12 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #3333.
Summit Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
9500 Windsor Parkway
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Gr: 6-7 | 1,118 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #3434.
Sergeant Bluff-luton Senior High School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
708 Warrior Road
Sergeant Bluff, IA 51054
(712) 943-5561
Gr: 9-12 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #3535.
Harlan High School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2102 Durant
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3101
Gr: 9-12 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%

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?
82 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 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public schools average of 30% (majority Hispanic).

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