For the 2026 school year, there are 20 blue ribbon public high schools serving 10,013 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 high schools in Iowa are Denver Senior High School, Gilbert High School and Decorah High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Iowa blue ribbon public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 82% (versus the Iowa public high school average of 65%), and reading proficiency score of 84% (versus the 71% statewide average).
Iowa blue ribbon public high school have a Graduation Rate of 93%, which is more than the Iowa average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Adm Senior High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Iowa or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public high school average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public High Schools in Iowa (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Denver Senior High School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
800 Longview Drive
Denver, IA 50622
(319) 984-5639
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:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
312 Gretten
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Gilbert, IA 50105
(515) 232-3738
Gr: 9-12 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Decorah High School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
100 Claiborne Drive
Decorah, IA 52101
(563) 382-3643
Decorah, IA 52101
(563) 382-3643
Gr: 9-12 | 555 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Pella High School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
212 E University St
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3870
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-3870
Gr: 9-12 | 801 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #55.
Van Meter High School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
520 1st Ave
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Van Meter, IA 50261
(515) 996-2221
Gr: 9-12 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
Adm Senior High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
801 Nile Kinnick Dr S
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4584
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993-4584
Gr: 9-12 | 666 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Pleasant Valley High School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
604 Belmont Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-5151
Bettendorf, IA 52722
(563) 332-5151
Gr: 9-12 | 1,731 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
West Lyon High School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1787 182nd Street
Inwood, IA 51240
(712) 753-4917
Inwood, IA 51240
(712) 753-4917
Gr: 9-12 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #99.
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: #1010.
Moc-floyd Valley High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
615 8th St Se
Orange City, IA 51041
(712) 737-4871
Orange City, IA 51041
(712) 737-4871
Gr: 9-12 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1111.
Westside Junior-senior High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
108 Clinton St
Westside, IA 51467
(712) 663-4311
Westside, IA 51467
(712) 663-4311
Gr: 6-12 | 108 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1212.
Carroll High School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2809 N Grant Rd
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-8010
Carroll, IA 51401
(712) 792-8010
Gr: 9-12 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1313.
Sergeant Bluff-luton Senior High School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
708 Warrior Road
Sergeant Bluff, IA 51054
(712) 943-5561
Sergeant Bluff, IA 51054
(712) 943-5561
Gr: 9-12 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1414.
Harlan High School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2102 Durant
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3101
Harlan, IA 51537
(712) 755-3101
Gr: 9-12 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1515.
Kee High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
569 Center St
Lansing, IA 52151
(563) 538-4201
Lansing, IA 52151
(563) 538-4201
Gr: 9-12 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1616.
Center Point-urbana High School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
145 Iowa Street
Center Point, IA 52213
(319) 849-1102
Center Point, IA 52213
(319) 849-1102
Gr: 9-12 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #1717.
Lewis Central Senior High School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3504 Harry Langdon Blvd.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 366-8322
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 366-8322
Gr: 9-12 | 1,020 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1818.
Mmcru High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
400 Highland Drive
Marcus, IA 51035
(712) 376-4172
Marcus, IA 51035
(712) 376-4172
Gr: 9-12 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1919.
Whiting Senior High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
606 West St
Whiting, IA 51063
(712) 455-2468
Whiting, IA 51063
(712) 455-2468
Gr: 7-12 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2020.
Ridge View High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
519 E Maple
Holstein, IA 51025
(712) 368-4353
Holstein, IA 51025
(712) 368-4353
Gr: 9-12 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public high schools in Iowa?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public high schools in Iowa include Denver Senior High School, Gilbert High School and Decorah High School.
How many blue ribbon public high schools are located in Iowa?
20 blue ribbon public high schools are located in Iowa.
What is the racial composition of students in Iowa?
Iowa blue ribbon public high schools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public high schools average of 28% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
