Approximately 36% of public preschool students in Iowa are eligible for free lunch (2026).
The public preschools with the highest eligible for free lunch are listed below (where sufficient data available).
The public preschool with the highest percentage of students eligible for free lunch in Iowa is Moulton Elementary School, with 88% of students eligible.
Eligible for Free Lunch Range: 62%
88%
Avg. Eligible for Free Lunch: 72%
Public Preschools Eligible For Free Lunch in Iowa (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Eligible for Free Lunch
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Moulton Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 88%
Grades: PK-5
1541 8th Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8427
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8427
Rank: #22.
Hunt Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 86%
Grades: PK-5
1114 W. 27th St
Sioux City, IA 51103
(712) 279-6833
Sioux City, IA 51103
(712) 279-6833
Rank: #33.
Capitol View Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 82%
Grades: PK-5
320 E. 16th
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8402
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8402
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Carver Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 81%
Grades: PK-5
705 E University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8418
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8418
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Cunningham School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 81%
Grades: PK-5
1224 Mobile St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2600
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2600
Rank: #66.
Garton Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 79%
Grades: PK-5
2820 E 24th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8408
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 242-8408
Rank: #7 - 107. - 10.
Cora B Darling Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 78%
Grades: PK-6
312 W Post
Postville, IA 52162
(563) 864-7653
Postville, IA 52162
(563) 864-7653
Rank: #7 - 107. - 10.
Horizon Science Academy Des Moines
Charter School
Eligible for Free Lunch: 78%
Grades: PK-4
4801 Franklin Ave 2nd
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 335-1937
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 335-1937
Rank: #7 - 107. - 10.
Madison Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 78%
Grades: PK-5
806 E Hoffman St
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8420
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 242-8420
Rank: #7 - 107. - 10.
Prescott Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 78%
Grades: PK-5
1151 White St
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 552-4200
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 552-4200
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 77%
Grades: PK-5
1610 Se 6th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8423
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8423
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Rogers Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 77%
Grades: PK-4
406 Summit St
Marshalltown, IA 50158
(641) 754-1070
Marshalltown, IA 50158
(641) 754-1070
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Audubon Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 76%
Grades: PK-5
605 Lincoln Ave
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 552-3300
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 552-3300
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Crestview School Of Inquiry
(Math: 56% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 76%
Grades: PK-6
8355 Franklin Avenue
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-5700
Clive, IA 50325
(515) 633-5700
Rank: #15 - 1715. - 17.
Highland Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 75%
Grades: PK-5
812 Idaho St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2630
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-2630
Rank: #15 - 1715. - 17.
Liberty Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 75%
Grades: PK-5
1623 Rebecca Street
Sioux City, IA 51103
(712) 279-6845
Sioux City, IA 51103
(712) 279-6845
Rank: #15 - 1715. - 17.
South Page Elementary School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 75%
Grades: PK-6
606 Iowa Ave
College Springs, IA 51637
(712) 582-3212
College Springs, IA 51637
(712) 582-3212
Rank: #1818.
Eligible for Free Lunch: 72%
Grades: PK
1801 16th Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8424
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8424
Rank: #19 - 2119. - 21.
Anson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 70%
Grades: PK-4
1016 S 3rd Ave
Marshalltown, IA 50158
(641) 754-1020
Marshalltown, IA 50158
(641) 754-1020
Rank: #19 - 2119. - 21.
Cedar River Academy At Taylor
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 70%
Grades: PK-5
720 7th Ave Sw
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
(319) 558-2477
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
(319) 558-2477
Rank: #19 - 2119. - 21.
Jackson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 70%
Grades: PK-5
3825 Indianola Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8415
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8415
Rank: #2222.
Leeds Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 69%
Grades: PK-5
3919 Jefferson St
Sioux City, IA 51108
(712) 239-7034
Sioux City, IA 51108
(712) 239-7034
Rank: #2323.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 68%
Grades: PK-5
302 Cedar Bend St
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1990
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1990
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Eligible for Free Lunch: 67%
Grades: PK
622 S. Concord St
Davenport, IA 52802
(563) 723-6550
Davenport, IA 52802
(563) 723-6550
Rank: #24 - 2524. - 25.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 67%
Grades: PK-5
555 Nevada Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 552-4050
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 552-4050
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Alexander Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 66%
Grades: PK-5
3571 Sycamore St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1095
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1095
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Eligible for Free Lunch: 66%
Grades: PK
1721 Fulton Street
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-1402
Keokuk, IA 52632
(319) 524-1402
Rank: #28 - 3028. - 30.
Fred Becker Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 65%
Grades: PK-5
1239 Sheldon St
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2180
Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 433-2180
Rank: #28 - 3028. - 30.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 65%
Grades: PK-5
720 4th Ave S
Clinton, IA 52732
(563) 243-0479
Clinton, IA 52732
(563) 243-0479
Rank: #28 - 3028. - 30.
Woodbury Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 65%
Grades: PK-4
8 N 7th Ave
Marshalltown, IA 50158
(641) 754-1080
Marshalltown, IA 50158
(641) 754-1080
Rank: #3131.
Roundy Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 64%
Grades: PK-6
1212 Colton St
Columbus Junction, IA 52738
(319) 728-6218
Columbus Junction, IA 52738
(319) 728-6218
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Riverside Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 63%
Grades: PK-5
2220 Nash
Sioux City, IA 51109
(712) 279-6811
Sioux City, IA 51109
(712) 279-6811
Rank: #32 - 3332. - 33.
Unity Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 63%
Grades: PK-5
1901 Unity Avenue
Sioux City, IA 51105
(712) 279-6839
Sioux City, IA 51105
(712) 279-6839
Rank: #34 - 3834. - 38.
J C Hoglan Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 62%
Grades: PK-4
2306 S 3rd Ave
Marshalltown, IA 50158
(641) 754-1060
Marshalltown, IA 50158
(641) 754-1060
Rank: #34 - 3834. - 38.
Kirkwood Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
Eligible for Free Lunch: 62%
Grades: PK-5
1401 9th St
Coralville, IA 52241
(319) 688-1120
Coralville, IA 52241
(319) 688-1120
Show 100 more public schools in IA (out of 481 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Iowa average of public preschools students eligible for free lunch?
The Iowa average of public preschools students eligible for free lunch is 36%% for 2026.
What are the public preschools with the highest percentage of students eligible for free lunch in Iowa?
The best top-ranked public preschools in Iowa include Moulton Elementary School, Hunt Elementary School and Capitol View Elementary School.
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