Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Iowa Blue Ribbon Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 35 blue ribbon public preschools serving 11,022 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 preschools in Iowa are Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School, Mitchellville Elementary School and North Kossuth Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Iowa blue ribbon public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 79% (versus the Iowa public pre school average of 73%), and reading proficiency score of 76% (versus the 69% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public preschool average of 28% (majority Hispanic).

Best Blue Ribbon Public Preschools in Iowa (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #6 - 76. - 7.
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: #8 - 98. - 9.
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: #8 - 98. - 9.
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: #1010.
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: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Altoona Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
301 6th St Sw
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-3771
Gr: PK-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Okoboji Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
705 N Ave
Milford, IA 51351
(712) 338-2458
Gr: PK-4 | 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1313.
Southeast Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
809 4th St Se
Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-3582
Gr: PK | 31 students Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1414.
South Central Calhoun Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
330 Brower Street
Rockwell City, IA 50579
(712) 297-8621
Gr: PK-3 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1515.
Fredericksburg Elementary School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
401 E High St
Fredericksburg, IA 50630
(563) 237-5364
Gr: PK-4 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1616.
Norman Borlaug Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1000 Kennedy Parkway
Coralville, IA 52241
(319) 688-1155
Gr: PK-5 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1717.
Mount Ayr Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
607 E Jefferson
Mount Ayr, IA 50854
(641) 464-0537
Gr: PK-5 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Corning Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
901 Nodaway Street
Corning, IA 50841
(641) 322-4020
Gr: PK-5 | 210 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Dayton Center
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
104 2nd St. Nw
Dayton, IA 50530
(515) 547-2314
Gr: PK-4 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #2020.
Tilford Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
308 E 13th St
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Gr: PK-4 | 544 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #2121.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
321 8th Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2950
Gr: PK-6 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2222.
Murray Elementary School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
216 Sherman
Murray, IA 50174
(641) 447-2517
Gr: PK-5 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #2323.
Whittier Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1306 W Salem
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-9570
Gr: PK-5 | 369 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #2424.
Perry Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1600 8th Street
Perry, IA 50220
(515) 465-5656
Gr: PK-5 | 816 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2525.
Earlville Elementary School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥80% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
213 Stow St
Earlville, IA 52041
(563) 923-3225
Gr: PK-K | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #2626.
Rock Valley Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1712 20th Avenue
Rock Valley, IA 51247
(712) 476-2701
Gr: PK-5 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Nixon Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
200 Nixon Dr
Hiawatha, IA 52233
(319) 558-2188
Gr: PK-5 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Tipton Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
601 Lemon
Tipton, IA 52772
(563) 886-6131
Gr: PK-4 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #2929.
Harris-lake Park Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
105 Ave A West
Lake Park, IA 51347
(712) 832-3437
Gr: PK-5 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #3030.
Bennett Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
300 Cedar St
Bennett, IA 52721
(563) 890-2226
Gr: PK-6 | 76 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #3131.
Weber Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3850 Rohret Road
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319) 688-1170
Gr: PK-5 | 456 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #3232.
Central Springs Elementary Manly Campus
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
105 S East St
Manly, IA 50456
(641) 454-3283
Gr: PK-3 | 143 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #3333.
Charter Oak-ute Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
321 Main
Charter Oak, IA 51439
(712) 678-3325
Gr: PK-5 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #3434.
Rue Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3326 6th Avenue
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
(712) 328-6540
Gr: PK-5 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: n/an/a
West Elementary School
306 S Park Lane Dr
Knoxville, IA 50138
(641) 842-2185
Gr: PK-2 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 10%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Iowa?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public preschools in Iowa include Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School, Mitchellville Elementary School and North Kossuth Elementary School.
How many blue ribbon public preschools are located in Iowa?
35 blue ribbon public preschools are located in Iowa.
What is the racial composition of students in Iowa?
Iowa blue ribbon public preschools minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public preschools average of 28% (majority Hispanic).

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