Iowa is the #28 largest school system in the United States, serving 501,674 students across the 1,320 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 247 private schools, serving 48,075 students). 91% of all K-12 students in Iowa attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Iowa is 68%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 70%.
The top-ranked public schools in Iowa are Hopewell Elementary School, Treynor High School, and Treynor Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 29%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Iowa (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Hopewell Elementary School
(Math: 98% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 98% (Top 1%)
Reading: 93% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
3900 Hopewell Ave
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-0250
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-0250
Rank: #22.
Treynor High School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
102 E Main St
Treynor, IA 51575
(712) 487-3804
Treynor, IA 51575
(712) 487-3804
Rank: #33.
Treynor Middle School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-8
102 E Main St
Treynor, IA 51575
(712) 487-3181
Treynor, IA 51575
(712) 487-3181
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Denver Senior High School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
800 Longview Drive
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 984-5639
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 984-5639
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
North Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
400 Nw 27th St
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-5674
Grimes, IA 50111
(515) 986-5674
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Readlyn Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
200 E 4th St
Readlyn, IA 50668
(319) 279-3323
Readlyn, IA 50668
(319) 279-3323
Rank: #77.
Denver Elementary School - Lincoln Street Building
(Math: 95% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
530 Lincoln
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 984-5611
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 984-5611
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Gilbert High School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 5%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
312 Gretten
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Pleasant View Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-6
6333 Crow Creek Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-5575
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-5575
Rank: #1010.
Van Meter Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 5%)
Reading: 93% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
520 1st Ave
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Overview
This State (IA)
US
# Schools
1,320 Schools
100,843 Schools
# Students
501,674 Students
49,540,313 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
34,800 Teachers
3,241,808 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (IA)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
68%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
70%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
63%
43%
Graduation Rate
90%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
36%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.47
0.70
# American Indian Students
1,876 Students
477,494 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
12,487 Students
2,755,834 Students
% Asian Students
3%
6%
# Hispanic Students
65,144 Students
14,725,989 Students
% Hispanic Students
13%
30%
# Black Students
35,173 Students
7,325,310 Students
% Black Students
7%
15%
# White Students
358,105 Students
21,494,652 Students
% White Students
71%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
3,371 Students
185,321 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
n/a
# Two or more races Students
25,133 Students
2,515,298 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (IA)
Total Revenue (23-24)
$8,262 MM
Spending (23-24)
$8,048 MM
Revenue / Student (23-24)
$16,468
Spending / Student (23-24)
$16,042
Best Iowa Public Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: Prairie Trail (4 schools), Cedar Hills (4 schools), Penn (4 schools), Capitol Park (3 schools), Downtown Des Moines (3 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Iowa?
The top-ranked public schools in Iowa include Hopewell Elementary School, Treynor High School, and Treynor Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Iowa?
1,320 public schools are located in Iowa.
What percentage of students in Iowa go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Iowa attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Iowa?
Minority enrollment in Iowa is 29%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in Iowa are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Iowa include: James Wilson Grimes School vs. Black Hawk Elementary School, Clarion-goldfield-dows Elementary School vs. Eagle Grove High School, Hempstead High School vs. Dubuque Senior High School
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