Best High Schools in Iowa (2025-26)

Ranked high schools

314

Listed, not ranked

Every ranked high school in Iowa, ordered by SchoolGrade. A grade rewards actual test performance against the projection for each school's student context, so a B in a high-poverty school can outrank an A- elsewhere on impact. Click a column heading to sort, or filter by school, city or district.

Iowa rankings: High Schools · Middle Schools · Elementary Schools

Iowa high schools ranked

Rank	Grade	School	City	District	Actual	Projected	Impact	Students
#1	A+	Gilbert High School	Gilbert	Gilbert Comm School District	89%	76%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	537
#2	A+	Van Meter High School	Van Meter	Van Meter Comm School District	88%	60%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	292
#3	A+	Decorah High School	Decorah	Decorah Community School District	87%	76%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	576
#4	A+	Denver Senior High School	Denver	Denver Comm School District	87%	77%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	262
#5	A+	Pella High School	Pella	Pella Comm School District	86%	75%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	764
#6	A+	West Lyon High School	Inwood	West Lyon Comm School District	86%	74%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	307
#7	A+	Cascade Junior Senior High School	Cascade	Western Dubuque Comm School District	85%	75%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	395
#8	A+	Solon High School	Solon	Solon Comm School District	85%	80%	Exceeds Expectations	475
#9	A+	North Polk High School	Alleman	North Polk Comm School District	84%	73%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	647
#10	A+	Pleasant Valley High School	Bettendorf	Pleasant Valley Comm School District	83%	76%	Exceeds Expectations	1,658
#11	A+	Kingsley Pierson High School	Kingsley	Kingsley-Pierson Comm School District	82%	69%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	145
#12	A+	Maquoketa Valley Senior High School	Delhi	Maquoketa Valley Comm School District	82%	73%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	191
#13	A+	St Ansgar High School	St Ansgar	St Ansgar Comm School District	82%	76%	Exceeds Expectations	171
#14	A+	Treynor High School	Treynor	Treynor Comm School District	82%	67%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	252
#15	A+	Logan Magnolia JR SR High School	Logan	Logan-Magnolia Comm School District	81%	68%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	307
#16	A+	North Scott High School	Eldridge	North Scott Comm School District	81%	74%	Exceeds Expectations	1,059
#17	A+	West Marshall High School State Center	State Center	West Marshall Comm School District	81%	75%	Exceeds Expectations	327
#18	A+	Ankeny Centennial High School (K-12)	Ankeny	Ankeny Comm School District	80%	70%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	1,443
#19	A+	Ankeny High School (K-12)	Ankeny	Ankeny Comm School District	80%	74%	Exceeds Expectations	1,347
#20	A+	Hinton High School	Hinton	Hinton Comm School District	80%	69%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	351
#21	A+	Lawton Bronson Junior Senior High School	Lawton	Lawton-Bronson Comm School District	80%	60%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	326
#22	A+	Spirit Lake High School	Spirit Lake	Spirit Lake Comm School District	80%	73%	Exceeds Expectations	409
#23	A+	Underwood High School	Underwood	Underwood Comm School District	80%	70%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	243
#24	A	Adm Senior High School	Adel	Adel DeSoto Minburn Comm School District	79%	48%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	651
#25	A	Mount Vernon High School	Mount Vernon	Mount Vernon Comm School District	79%	75%	Exceeds Expectations	468
#26	A	Sergeant Bluff Luton Senior High School	Sergeant Bluff	Sergeant Bluff-Luton Comm School District	79%	70%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	533
#27	A	Waukon High School	Waukon	Allamakee Comm School District	79%	73%	Exceeds Expectations	380
#28	A	Williamsburg JR SR High School	Williamsburg	Williamsburg Comm School District	79%	71%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	605
#29	A	Ahstw High School	Avoca	AHSTW Comm School District	78%	65%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	218
#30	A	Grinnell Community Senior High School	Grinnell	Grinnell-Newburg Comm School District	78%	72%	Exceeds Expectations	471
#31	A	Lisbon Secondary	Lisbon	Lisbon Comm School District	78%	72%	Exceeds Expectations	304
#32	A	Western Dubuque High School	Epworth	Western Dubuque Comm School District	78%	73%	Exceeds Expectations	920
#33	A	Woodward Granger High School	Woodward	Woodward-Granger Comm School District	78%	61%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	260
#34	A	Central Dewitt High School	De Witt	Central DeWitt School District	77%	73%	Exceeds Expectations	546
#35	A	Dallas Center Grimes High School	Grimes	Dallas Center-Grimes Comm School District	77%	75%	Exceeds Expectations	978
#36	A	East Mills Jrsr High School	Malvern	East Mills Comm School District	77%	70%	Exceeds Expectations	215
#37	A	Harris Lake Park High School	Lake Park	Harris-Lake Park Comm School District	77%	61%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	160
#38	A	Roland Story High School	Story City	Roland-Story Comm School District	77%	67%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	345
#39	A	South Hamilton Middle And High School	Jewell	South Hamilton Comm School District	77%	70%	Exceeds Expectations	328
#40	A	Vinton Shellsburg High School	Vinton	Vinton-Shellsburg Comm School District	77%	73%	Exceeds Expectations	425
#41	A	Bondurant Farrar High School	Bondurant	Bondurant-Farrar Comm School District	76%	72%	Exceeds Expectations	761
#42	A	Cedar Falls High School (K-12)	Cedar Falls	Cedar Falls Comm School District	76%	73%	Exceeds Expectations	1,302
#43	A	Griswold Middlehigh School	Griswold	Griswold Comm School District	76%	66%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	200
#44	A	Hudson High School	Hudson	Hudson Comm School District	76%	54%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	342
#45	A	Johnston Senior High School (K-12)	Johnston	Johnston Comm School District	76%	73%	Exceeds Expectations	1,790
#46	A	Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove High School	Ida Grove	Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove Comm School District	76%	61%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	306
#47	A	Okoboji High School	Milford	Okoboji Comm School District	76%	73%	Exceeds Expectations	365
#48	A	Waukee High School (K-12)	Waukee	Waukee Comm School District	76%	72%	Exceeds Expectations	1,268
#49	A	Waverly Shell Rock Senior High School	Waverly	Waverly-Shell Rock Comm School District	76%	59%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	771
#50	A	Westwood High School	Sloan	Westwood Comm School District	76%	70%	Exceeds Expectations	289
#51	A	Albia High School	Albia	Albia Comm School District	75%	72%	Exceeds Expectations	374
#52	A	Aplington Parkersburg High School	Parkersburg	Aplington-Parkersburg Comm School District	75%	72%	Exceeds Expectations	264
#53	A	Bedford High School	Bedford	Bedford Comm School District	75%	56%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	243
#54	A	Center Point Urbana High School Center	Point	Center Point-Urbana Comm School District	75%	75%	Meets Expectations	463
#55	A	Central Lyon Secondary School	Rock Rapids	Central Lyon Comm School District	75%	72%	Exceeds Expectations	363
#56	A	Clayton Ridge High School	Guttenberg	Clayton Ridge Comm School District	75%	61%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	192
#57	A	Clear Creek Amana High School	Tiffin	Clear Creek Amana Comm School District	75%	71%	Exceeds Expectations	728
#58	A	Forest City High School	Forest City	Forest City Comm School District	75%	70%	Exceeds Expectations	324
#59	A	Linn Mar High School	Marion	Linn-Mar Comm School District	75%	72%	Exceeds Expectations	2,271
#60	A	Stanton High School	Stanton	Stanton Comm School District	75%	60%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	137
#61	A	Valley High School (K-12)	West Des Moines	West Des Moines Comm School District	75%	61%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	2,152
#62	A	Iowa Valley JR SR High School	Marengo	Iowa Valley Comm School District	74%	69%	Exceeds Expectations	229
#63	A	Moc Floyd Valley High School	Orange City	MOC-Floyd Valley Comm School District	74%	70%	Exceeds Expectations	487
#64	A	Northeast Middle High School	Goose Lake	Northeast Comm School District	74%	67%	Exceeds Expectations	470
#65	A	Ballard High School	Huxley	Ballard Comm School District	73%	74%	Meets Expectations	545
#66	A	Bettendorf High School	Bettendorf	Bettendorf Comm School District	73%	65%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	1,482
#67	A	Central Lee High School	Donnellson	Central Lee Comm School District	73%	72%	Meets Expectations	326
#68	A	Central Springs High School	Manly	Central Springs Comm School District	73%	66%	Exceeds Expectations	226
#69	A	Gladbrook Reinbeck JR High And High School	Reinbeck	Gladbrook-Reinbeck Comm School District	73%	68%	Exceeds Expectations	212
#70	A	Grundy Center High School Grundy Center	Grundy Center	Grundy Center Comm School District	73%	71%	Exceeds Expectations	235
#71	A	Harlan High School	Harlan	Harlan Comm School District	73%	64%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	477
#72	A	Independence Junior Senior High School	Independence	Independence Comm School District	73%	71%	Exceeds Expectations	701
#73	A	Le Mars High School	Le Mars	Le Mars Comm School District	73%	69%	Exceeds Expectations	675
#74	A	Liberty High School	North Liberty	Iowa City Comm School District	73%	68%	Exceeds Expectations	1,167
#75	A	Mediapolis High School	Mediapolis	Mediapolis Comm School District	73%	71%	Exceeds Expectations	295
#76	A	New Hampton High School	New Hampton	New Hampton Comm School District	73%	67%	Exceeds Expectations	339
#77	A	North Fayette Valley High School	West Union	North Fayette Valley Comm School District	73%	69%	Exceeds Expectations	333
#78	A	Norwalk Senior High School	Norwalk	Norwalk Comm School District	73%	65%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	1,035
#79	A	Washington High School	Cherokee	Cherokee Comm School District	73%	68%	Exceeds Expectations	353
#80	A	West Senior High School	Iowa City	Iowa City Comm School District	73%	70%	Exceeds Expectations	1,503
#81	A	Ames High School	Ames	Ames Comm School District	72%	70%	Exceeds Expectations	1,403
#82	A	Garner Hayfield Ventura High School	Garner	Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Comm School District	72%	72%	Meets Expectations	311
#83	A	Hartley Melvin Sanborn High School	Hartley	Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Comm School District	72%	65%	Exceeds Expectations	203
#84	A	Highland High School	Riverside	Highland Comm School District	72%	70%	Exceeds Expectations	171
#85	A	Janesville Junior Senior High School	Janesville	Janesville Consolidated School District	72%	66%	Exceeds Expectations	237
#86	A	Lewis Central Senior High School	Council Bluffs	Lewis Central Comm School District	72%	68%	Exceeds Expectations	927
#87	A	Lynnville Sully High School	Sully	Lynnville-Sully Comm School District	72%	69%	Exceeds Expectations	166
#88	A	Mmcru High School	Marcus	Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Comm School District	72%	67%	Exceeds Expectations	203
#89	A	North Linn Senior High School	Troy Mills	North Linn Comm School District	72%	70%	Meets Expectations	166
#90	A	Ogden High School	Ogden	Ogden Comm School District	72%	57%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	238
#91	A	Riverside Community High School	Oakland	Riverside Comm School District	72%	62%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	359
#92	A	Tri Center High School	Neola	Tri-Center Comm School District	72%	69%	Exceeds Expectations	210
#93	A	West Bend Mallard High School	West Bend	West Bend-Mallard Comm School District	72%	65%	Exceeds Expectations	114
#94	A	West Delaware High School	Manchester	West Delaware County Comm School District	72%	68%	Exceeds Expectations	474
#95	A	Humboldt High School	Humboldt	Humboldt Comm School District	71%	69%	Meets Expectations	496
#96	A	Marion High School	Marion	Marion Independent School District	71%	69%	Exceeds Expectations	722
#97	A	Mount Ayr High School	Mount Ayr	Mount Ayr Comm School District	71%	67%	Exceeds Expectations	294
#98	A	Pcm High School	Monroe	PCM Comm School District	71%	66%	Exceeds Expectations	357
#99	A	Sheldon High School	Sheldon	Sheldon Comm School District	71%	65%	Exceeds Expectations	342
#100	A	Union High School	La Porte City	Union Comm School District	71%	69%	Exceeds Expectations	316
#101	A	Wilton JR SR High School	Wilton	Wilton Comm School District	71%	70%	Meets Expectations	427
#102	A	Carroll High School	Carroll	Carroll Comm School District	70%	70%	Meets Expectations	544
#103	A	Coon Rapids Bayard 6 12 Attendance Center	Coon Rapids	Coon Rapids-Bayard Comm School District	70%	53%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	210
#104	A	Dike New Hartford High School	Dike	Dike-New Hartford Comm School District	70%	55%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	267
#105	A	Glenwood Senior High School	Glenwood	Glenwood Comm School District	70%	69%	Meets Expectations	600
#106	A	Kee High School	Lansing	Eastern Allamakee Comm School District	70%	64%	Exceeds Expectations	99
#107	A	Louisa Muscatine Jrsr High School	Letts	Louisa-Muscatine Comm School District	70%	57%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	361
#108	A	Montezuma High School	Montezuma	Montezuma Comm School District	70%	66%	Exceeds Expectations	148
#109	A	Nashua Plainfield Junior Seniorhigh School	Nashua	Nashua-Plainfield Comm School District	70%	47%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	310
#110	A	Pleasantville High School	Pleasantville	Pleasantville Comm School District	70%	69%	Meets Expectations	244
#111	A	Sumner Fredericksburg HS	Sumner	Sumner-Fredericksburg Comm School District	70%	70%	Meets Expectations	260
#112	A	Urbandale High School	Urbandale	Urbandale Comm School District	70%	66%	Exceeds Expectations	1,347
#113	A	Wapsie Valley High School	Fairbank	Wapsie Valley Comm School District	70%	61%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	304
#114	A	Wayne Community JR SR High School	Corydon	Wayne Comm School District	70%	61%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	257
#115	A	Atlantic High School	Atlantic	Atlantic Comm School District	69%	67%	Meets Expectations	485
#116	A	Benton Community Senior High School	Van Horne	Benton Comm School District	69%	69%	Meets Expectations	496
#117	A	Clear Lake High School	Clear Lake	Clear Lake Comm School District	69%	60%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	458
#118	A	Creston High School	Creston	Creston Comm School District	69%	65%	Exceeds Expectations	532
#119	A	Iowa Falls Alden High School	Iowa Falls	Iowa Falls Comm School District	69%	67%	Exceeds Expectations	412
#120	A	John F Kennedy High School	Cedar Rapids	Cedar Rapids Comm School District	69%	65%	Exceeds Expectations	1,714
#121	A	Sioux Center High School Sioux Center	Sioux Center	Sioux Center Comm School District	69%	62%	Exceeds Expectations	495
#122	A	Southeast Warren JR SR High School Liberty Center	Liberty Center	Southeast Warren Comm School District	69%	62%	Exceeds Expectations	233
#123	A	Winterset Senior High School	Winterset	Winterset Comm School District	69%	58%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	565
#124	A	Akron Westfield Senior High School	Akron	Akron Westfield Comm School District	68%	62%	Exceeds Expectations	192
#125	A	Alta Aurelia High School	Alta	Alta-Aurelia Comm School District	68%	61%	Exceeds Expectations	206
#126	A	Baxter High School	Baxter	Baxter Comm School District	68%	58%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	256
#127	A	Boyden Hull High School	Hull	Boyden-Hull Comm School District	68%	59%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	291
#128	A	Fremont Mills Middle And Senior High School	Tabor	Fremont-Mills Comm School District	68%	66%	Exceeds Expectations	208
#129	A	Guthrie Center High School Guthrie Center	Guthrie Center	Guthrie Center Comm School District	68%	63%	Exceeds Expectations	215
#130	A	H L V Junior Senior High School	Victor	H-L-V Comm School District	68%	67%	Meets Expectations	140
#131	A	Ikm Manning High School	Manning	IKM-Manning Comm School District	68%	66%	Exceeds Expectations	196
#132	A	Mid Prairie High School	Wellman	Mid-Prairie Comm School District	68%	66%	Exceeds Expectations	379
#133	A	Nevada High School	Nevada	Nevada Comm School District	68%	67%	Meets Expectations	491
#134	A	Ridge View High School	Holstein	Galva-Holstein Comm School District	68%	60%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	239
#135	A	Rock Valley High School	Rock Valley	Rock Valley Comm School District	68%	59%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	294
#136	A	South Winneshiek High School	Calmar	South Winneshiek Comm School District	68%	67%	Meets Expectations	211
#137	A	Waco High School	Wayland	WACO Comm School District	68%	58%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	215
#138	A	West Hancock High School	Britt	West Hancock Comm School District	68%	60%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	162
#139	A	Jesup High School	Jesup	Jesup Comm School District	67%	60%	Exceeds Expectations	278
#140	A	Mount Pleasant High School	Mount Pleasant	Mount Pleasant Comm School District	67%	63%	Exceeds Expectations	582
#141	A	Prairie High School (K-12)	Cedar Rapids	College Comm School District	67%	68%	Meets Expectations	1,298
#142	A	Sigourney JR SR High Sch	Sigourney	Sigourney Comm School District	67%	58%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	270
#143	A-	Agwsr High School	Ackley	AGWSR Comm School District	67%	65%	Meets Expectations	192
#144	A-	Dubuque Senior High School	Dubuque	Dubuque Comm School District	67%	63%	Exceeds Expectations	1,435
#145	A-	Exiraelk Horn Kimballton High School	Elk Horn	Exira-Elk Horn- Kimballton Comm Sch Dist	67%	55%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	196
#146	A-	Gmg Secondary School	Garwin	GMG Comm School District	67%	53%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	211
#147	A-	Keota High School	Keota	Keota Comm School District	67%	59%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	133
#148	A-	Northwood Kensett Middlehigh School	Northwood	Northwood-Kensett Comm School District	67%	60%	Exceeds Expectations	273
#149	A-	Osage High School	Osage	Osage Comm School District	67%	67%	Meets Expectations	313
#150	A-	Pocahontas Area Middle High School	Pocahontas	Pocahontas Area Comm School District	67%	63%	Exceeds Expectations	392
#151	A-	Rockford Junior Senior High School	Rockford	Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rk Comm School District	67%	62%	Exceeds Expectations	174
#152	A-	Sioux Central High School	Sioux Rapids	Sioux Central Comm School District	67%	64%	Exceeds Expectations	274
#153	A-	Tipton High School	Tipton	Tipton Comm School District	67%	67%	Meets Expectations	310
#154	A-	Turkey Valley JR SR High School	Jackson Junction	Turkey Valley Comm School District	67%	64%	Exceeds Expectations	183
#155	A-	West Branch High School	West Branch	West Branch Comm School District	67%	65%	Meets Expectations	244
#156	A-	Westside Junior Senior High School	Westside	Ar-We-Va Comm School District	67%	52%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	106
#157	A-	Woodbury Central High School	Moville	Woodbury Central Comm School District	67%	65%	Exceeds Expectations	178
#158	A-	Bellevue High School	Bellevue	Bellevue Comm School District	66%	64%	Exceeds Expectations	362
#159	A-	Crestwood High School	Cresco	Howard-Winneshiek Comm School District	66%	63%	Exceeds Expectations	559
#160	A-	East Union Middle High School	Afton	East Union Comm School District	66%	48%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	259
#161	A-	Iowa City High School	Iowa City	Iowa City Comm School District	66%	64%	Exceeds Expectations	1,599
#162	A-	Monticello High School	Monticello	Monticello Comm School District	66%	67%	Meets Expectations	366
#163	A-	Southeast Polk High School	Pleasant Hill	Southeast Polk Comm School District	66%	68%	Meets Expectations	2,353
#164	A-	Spencer High School	Spencer	Spencer Comm School District	66%	69%	Meets Expectations	712
#165	A-	West Burlington Arnold Jrsr High School	West Burlington	West Burlington Ind School District	66%	60%	Exceeds Expectations	487
#166	A-	Boone High School	Boone	Boone Comm School District	65%	70%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	711
#167	A-	Central Decatur Mshs High School	Leon	Central Decatur Comm School District	65%	56%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	348
#168	A-	Clarksville High School	Clarksville	Clarksville Comm School District	65%	59%	Exceeds Expectations	141
#169	A-	Earlham Senior High School	Earlham	Earlham Comm School District	65%	64%	Meets Expectations	185
#170	A-	East Marshall Senior High School	Le Grand	East Marshall Comm School District	65%	42%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	247
#171	A-	Estherville Lincoln Central High School	Estherville	Estherville Lincoln Central Com Sch Dist	65%	61%	Exceeds Expectations	384
#172	A-	Hempstead High School	Dubuque	Dubuque Comm School District	65%	64%	Meets Expectations	1,584
#173	A-	New London JR SR High School	New London	New London Comm School District	65%	59%	Exceeds Expectations	303
#174	A-	North Butler Jrsr High School	Greene	North Butler Comm School District	65%	56%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	271
#175	A-	North Cedar Jrsr High School	Clarence	North Cedar Comm School District	65%	64%	Meets Expectations	294
#176	A-	Panorama High School	Panora	Panorama Comm School District	65%	60%	Exceeds Expectations	213
#177	A-	River Valley Junior Senior High School	Correctionville	River Valley Comm School District	65%	48%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	168
#178	A-	Sibley Ocheyedan High School	Sibley	Sibley-Ocheyedan Comm School District	65%	56%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	227
#179	A-	West Sioux High School	Hawarden	West Sioux Comm School District	65%	54%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	265
#180	A-	Brooklyn Guernsey Malcom JR SR High School	Brooklyn	Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Comm School District	64%	64%	Meets Expectations	265
#181	A-	Clarion Goldfield Dows High School	Clarion	Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Comm School District	64%	59%	Exceeds Expectations	343
#182	A-	Danville Junior Senior High School	Danville	Danville Comm School District	64%	64%	Meets Expectations	286
#183	A-	Maquoketa Community High School	Maquoketa	Maquoketa Comm School District	64%	42%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	498
#184	A-	North Mahaska JR SR High School	New Sharon	North Mahaska Comm School District	64%	67%	Meets Expectations	270
#185	A-	Van Buren County Community Middle And High School	Keosauqua	Van Buren County Comm School District	64%	50%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	369
#186	A-	Bcluw High School	Conrad	BCLUW Comm School District	63%	62%	Meets Expectations	177
#187	A-	Belle Plaine Jrsr High School	Belle Plaine	Belle Plaine Comm School District	63%	66%	Meets Expectations	193
#188	A-	Calamus Wheatland Sec Attendance Center	Wheatland	Calamus-Wheatland Comm School District	63%	62%	Exceeds Expectations	196
#189	A-	Cam High School	Anita	CAM Comm School District	63%	52%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	143
#190	A-	Centerville High School	Centerville	Centerville Comm School District	63%	59%	Exceeds Expectations	404
#191	A-	Chariton High School	Chariton	Chariton Comm School District	63%	61%	Exceeds Expectations	392
#192	A-	Denison High School	Denison	Denison Comm School District	63%	57%	Exceeds Expectations	786
#193	A-	Diagonal Junior Senior High School	Diagonal	Diagonal Comm School District	63%	44%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	62
#194	A-	Emmetsburg High School	Emmetsburg	Emmetsburg Comm School District	63%	66%	Meets Expectations	245
#195	A-	Greene County High School	Jefferson	Greene County Comm School District	63%	58%	Exceeds Expectations	374
#196	A-	Indianola High School	Indianola	Indianola Comm School District	63%	65%	Meets Expectations	1,120
#197	A-	Knoxville High School	Knoxville	Knoxville Comm School District	63%	66%	Meets Expectations	500
#198	A-	Lenox High School	Lenox	Lenox Comm School District	63%	55%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	217
#199	A-	Mfl Marmac HS	Monona	MFL MarMac Comm School District	63%	62%	Meets Expectations	262
#200	A-	Midland Middlehigh School	Wyoming	Midland Comm School District	63%	60%	Exceeds Expectations	303
#201	A-	Missouri Valley High School	Missouri Valley	Missouri Valley Comm School District	63%	59%	Exceeds Expectations	235
#202	A-	North Union High School	Armstrong	North Union Comm School District	63%	58%	Exceeds Expectations	194
#203	A-	Pekin Community Junior Senior High School	Packwood	Pekin Comm School District	63%	60%	Exceeds Expectations	292
#204	A-	South Obrien Secondary School	Paullina	South O'Brien Comm School District	63%	61%	Exceeds Expectations	252
#205	A-	Springville Secondary School	Springville	Springville Comm School District	63%	58%	Exceeds Expectations	185
#206	A-	West Central Charter High School (Charter)	Maynard	West Central Comm School District	63%	34%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	82
#207	A-	West Central Valley High School	Stuart	West Central Valley Comm School District	63%	64%	Meets Expectations	268
#208	A-	West Monona High School	Onawa	West Monona Comm School District	63%	52%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	204
#209	A-	Anamosa High School	Anamosa	Anamosa Comm School District	62%	56%	Exceeds Expectations	397
#210	A-	Collins Maxwell Middlehigh School	Maxwell	Collins-Maxwell Comm School District	62%	49%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	208
#211	A-	Durant Juniorsenior High School	Durant	Durant Comm School District	62%	62%	Meets Expectations	340
#212	A-	East Sac County High School	Lake View	East Sac County Comm School District	62%	56%	Exceeds Expectations	394
#213	A-	English Valleys JR SR High School	North English	English Valleys Comm School District	62%	56%	Exceeds Expectations	231
#214	A-	Essex Junior Senior High School	Essex	Essex Comm School District	62%	48%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	97
#215	A-	Lake Mills Senior High School	Lake Mills	Lake Mills Comm School District	62%	64%	Meets Expectations	210
#216	A-	Martensdale St Marys JR SR High School	Martensdale	Martensdale-St Marys Comm School District	62%	59%	Exceeds Expectations	275
#217	A-	North Tama High School	Traer	North Tama County Comm School District	62%	60%	Meets Expectations	194
#218	A-	Paton Churdan JR SR High School	Churdan	Paton-Churdan Comm School District	62%	43%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	99
#219	A-	Riceville High School	Riceville	Riceville Comm School District	62%	47%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	195
#220	A-	Roosevelt High School	Des Moines	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	62%	48%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	1,986
#221	A-	Winfield Mt Union JR SR High School	Winfield	Winfield-Mt Union Comm School District	62%	56%	Exceeds Expectations	201
#222	A-	Algona High School	Algona	Algona Comm School District	61%	61%	Meets Expectations	463
#223	A-	Carlisle High School	Carlisle	Carlisle Comm School District	61%	61%	Meets Expectations	743
#224	A-	Fairfield High School	Fairfield	Fairfield Comm School District	61%	60%	Meets Expectations	476
#225	A-	Shenandoah High School	Shenandoah	Shenandoah Comm School District	61%	62%	Meets Expectations	259
#226	A-	Washington High School	Washington	Washington Comm School District	61%	49%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	471
#227	A-	West High School	Waterloo	Waterloo Comm School District	61%	53%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	1,652
#228	A-	Boyer Valley Middlehigh School	Dunlap	Boyer Valley Comm School District	60%	57%	Exceeds Expectations	220
#229	A-	Camanche High School	Camanche	Camanche Comm School District	60%	66%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	319
#230	A-	Clarke Community High School	Osceola	Clarke Comm School District	60%	54%	Exceeds Expectations	442
#231	A-	Easton Valley Junior High High School	Preston	Easton Valley Comm School District	60%	55%	Exceeds Expectations	211
#232	A-	Edgewood Colesburg High School	Edgewood	Edgewood-Colesburg Comm School District	60%	61%	Meets Expectations	207
#233	A-	George Little Rock Senior High School	George	George-Little Rock Comm School District	60%	51%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	123
#234	A-	Newell Fonda High School	Newell	Newell-Fonda Comm School District	60%	60%	Meets Expectations	166
#235	A-	Sidney High School	Sidney	Sidney Comm School District	60%	58%	Exceeds Expectations	222
#236	A-	South Hardin High School	Eldora	Eldora-New Providence Comm School District	60%	62%	Meets Expectations	242
#237	A-	Tripoli Middlesr High School	Tripoli	Tripoli Comm School District	60%	53%	Exceeds Expectations	185
#238	A-	Belmond Klemme Community JR SR High School	Belmond	Belmond-Klemme Comm School District	59%	52%	Exceeds Expectations	328
#239	A-	Central City High School	Central City	Central City Comm School District	59%	59%	Meets Expectations	228
#240	A-	Davis County Community High School	Bloomfield	Davis County Comm School District	59%	63%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	408
#241	B+	Graettinger Terril High School	Graettinger	Graettinger-Terril Comm School District	58%	58%	Meets Expectations	128
#242	B+	Interstate 35 High School	Truro	Interstate 35 Comm School District	58%	60%	Meets Expectations	274
#243	B+	Lone Tree Middle Senior High School	Lone Tree	Lone Tree Comm School District	58%	53%	Exceeds Expectations	214
#244	B+	Madrid High School	Madrid	Madrid Comm School District	58%	61%	Meets Expectations	206
#245	B+	Maple Valley Anthon Oto High School	Mapleton	Maple Valley-Anthon Oto Comm School District	58%	57%	Meets Expectations	283
#246	B+	Muscatine High School	Muscatine	Muscatine Comm School District	58%	56%	Meets Expectations	1,539
#247	B+	Newton Senior High School	Newton	Newton Comm School District	58%	58%	Meets Expectations	818
#248	B+	Nodaway Valley High School	Greenfield	Nodaway Valley Comm School District	58%	64%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	193
#249	B+	West Harrison Middle Schoolhigh School	Mondamin	West Harrison Comm School District	58%	56%	Exceeds Expectations	148
#250	B+	Alburnett Senior High School	Alburnett	Alburnett Comm School District	57%	63%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	243
#251	B+	Dunkerton High School	Dunkerton	Dunkerton Comm School District	57%	58%	Meets Expectations	211
#252	B+	East High School	Sioux City	Sioux City Comm School District	57%	54%	Exceeds Expectations	1,495
#253	B+	Keokuk High School	Keokuk	Keokuk Comm School District	57%	53%	Exceeds Expectations	598
#254	B+	Mason City High School	Mason City	Mason City Comm School District	57%	57%	Meets Expectations	956
#255	B+	Murray Jrsr High	Murray	Murray Comm School District	57%	56%	Meets Expectations	150
#256	B+	Oskaloosa High School	Oskaloosa	Oskaloosa Comm School District	57%	59%	Meets Expectations	600
#257	B+	Red Oak Juniorsenior High School	Red Oak	Red Oak Comm School District	57%	54%	Exceeds Expectations	474
#258	B+	South Central Calhoun High School	Lake City	South Central Calhoun Comm School District	57%	57%	Meets Expectations	278
#259	B+	West Fork High School	Sheffield	West Fork Comm School District	57%	56%	Meets Expectations	206
#260	B+	Whiting Senior High School	Whiting	Whiting Comm School District	57%	41%	Greatly Exceeds Expectations	79
#261	B+	Abraham Lincoln High School	Council Bluffs	Council Bluffs Comm School District	56%	56%	Meets Expectations	1,399
#262	B+	Webster City High School	Webster City	Webster City Comm School District	56%	50%	Exceeds Expectations	547
#263	B+	Central Middle Schoolhigh School	Elkader	Central Comm School District	55%	58%	Meets Expectations	210
#264	B+	Clarinda High School	Clarinda	Clarinda Comm School District	55%	52%	Exceeds Expectations	484
#265	B+	Colfax Mingo Jrsr High School	Colfax	Colfax-Mingo Comm School District	55%	63%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	333
#266	B+	Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont Jrsr High	Eddyville	Eddyville-Blakesburg- Fremont CSD	55%	52%	Exceeds Expectations	423
#267	B+	Hampton Dumont High School	Hampton	Hampton-Dumont Comm School District	55%	54%	Meets Expectations	480
#268	B+	North High School	Sioux City	Sioux City Comm School District	55%	52%	Exceeds Expectations	1,634
#269	B+	Starmont High School	Arlington	Starmont Comm School District	55%	55%	Meets Expectations	191
#270	B+	Burlington Community High School	Burlington	Burlington Comm School District	54%	48%	Exceeds Expectations	1,092
#271	B+	Ottumwa High School	Ottumwa	Ottumwa Comm School District	54%	54%	Meets Expectations	1,317
#272	B+	Central High School	Davenport	Davenport Comm School District	53%	51%	Exceeds Expectations	1,505
#273	B+	Charles City High School	Charles City	Charles City Comm School District	53%	56%	Meets Expectations	534
#274	B+	Fort Madison High School	Fort Madison	Fort Madison Comm School District	53%	55%	Meets Expectations	555
#275	B+	Lamoni High School	Lamoni	Lamoni Comm School District	53%	55%	Meets Expectations	98
#276	B+	Mormon Trail JR SR High School	Garden Grove	Mormon Trail Comm School District	53%	54%	Meets Expectations	96
#277	B+	Wapello Senior High School	Wapello	Wapello Comm School District	53%	57%	Meets Expectations	193
#278	B+	Glidden Ralston JR SR High School	Glidden	Glidden-Ralston Comm School District	52%	51%	Meets Expectations	138
#279	B+	Manson Northwest Webster Junior Highhigh School	Manson	Manson Northwest Webster Comm School District	52%	51%	Meets Expectations	350
#280	B+	Melcher Dallas High School	Melcher	Melcher-Dallas Comm School District	52%	54%	Meets Expectations	153
#281	B+	Moravia High School	Moravia	Moravia Comm School District	52%	53%	Meets Expectations	224
#282	B+	Perry High School	Perry	Perry Comm School District	52%	47%	Exceeds Expectations	564
#283	B+	George Washington High School	Cedar Rapids	Cedar Rapids Comm School District	51%	50%	Meets Expectations	1,291
#284	B+	John R Mott Jrhi School	Postville	Postville Comm School District	51%	47%	Exceeds Expectations	351
#285	B+	North High School	Davenport	Davenport Comm School District	51%	56%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	1,352
#286	B+	Oelwein High School	Oelwein	Oelwein Comm School District	51%	52%	Meets Expectations	314
#287	B	East Buchanan High School	Winthrop	East Buchanan Comm School District	50%	56%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	186
#288	B	Marshalltown High School	Marshalltown	Marshalltown Comm School District	50%	46%	Exceeds Expectations	1,582
#289	B	Southwest Valley High School	Corning	Corning Comm School District	50%	46%	Exceeds Expectations	209
#290	B	Tri County Jrsr High School	Thornburg	Tri-County Comm School District	50%	54%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	107
#291	B	West High School	Sioux City	Sioux City Comm School District	50%	48%	Meets Expectations	1,252
#292	B	Storm Lake High School	Storm Lake	Storm Lake Comm School District	49%	45%	Exceeds Expectations	793
#293	B	Thomas Jefferson High School	Cedar Rapids	Cedar Rapids Comm School District	49%	52%	Meets Expectations	1,543
#294	B	Cardinal High School	Eldon	Cardinal Comm School District	48%	50%	Meets Expectations	276
#295	B	Lincoln High School	Des Moines	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	48%	43%	Exceeds Expectations	2,403
#296	B	South Tama County High School	Tama	South Tama County	48%	50%	Meets Expectations	472
#297	B	Hoover High School	Des Moines	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	47%	40%	Exceeds Expectations	991
#298	B	Twin Cedars JR SR High School	Bussey	Twin Cedars Comm School District	47%	49%	Meets Expectations	156
#299	B	West Liberty High School	West Liberty	West Liberty Comm School District	47%	48%	Meets Expectations	364
#300	B	East High School	Waterloo	Waterloo Comm School District	46%	44%	Exceeds Expectations	1,022
#301	B	Saydel High School	Des Moines	Saydel Comm School District	46%	48%	Meets Expectations	451
#302	B-	Eagle Grove High School	Eagle Grove	Eagle Grove Comm School District	45%	46%	Meets Expectations	299
#303	B-	Fort Dodge High School	Fort Dodge	Fort Dodge Comm School District	45%	46%	Meets Expectations	1,072
#304	B-	Thomas Jefferson High School	Council Bluffs	Council Bluffs Comm School District	45%	48%	Meets Expectations	1,243
#305	B-	Clinton High School	Clinton	Clinton Comm School District	44%	44%	Meets Expectations	981
#306	B-	West High School	Davenport	Davenport Comm School District	44%	47%	Meets Expectations	1,469
#307	B-	North Iowa High School Buffalo Center	Buffalo Center	North Iowa Comm School District	43%	44%	Meets Expectations	117
#308	B-	East High School	Des Moines	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	42%	39%	Exceeds Expectations	2,040
#309	B-	Ruthven Ayrshire High School	Ruthven	Ruthven-Ayrshire Comm School District	42%	41%	Meets Expectations	77
#310	C+	North High School	Des Moines	Des Moines Independent Comm School District	39%	35%	Exceeds Expectations	1,458
#311	C+	Columbus Community High School	Columbus Junction	Columbus Comm School District	38%	39%	Meets Expectations	201
#312	C+	Orient Macksburg Senior High School	Orient	Orient-Macksburg Comm School District	37%	40%	Meets Expectations	66
#313	C	Moulton Udell High School	Moulton	Moulton-Udell Comm School District	30%	42%	Underperforms Expectations	67
#314	C-	Prairie Edge (K-12)	Cedar Rapids	College Comm School District	25%	36%	Doesn't Meet Expectations	38

How Iowa's high schools compare

A: 240B: 69C: 5

98% of the 314 ranked high schools in Iowa earn an A or B (240 A grades, 69 B, 5 C, 0 D, 0 F), against 48% of high schools nationwide. 303 schools meet or beat the proficiency projected from their student context (96% here, 75% nationally), and 211 exceed it. On average 65% of tested students meet the state bar against a projected 61% (national averages: 42% actual, 40% projected).

The biggest overperformers, by actual proficiency above projection: Adm Senior High School (79% against 48%, A), West Central Charter High School (63% against 34%, A-), Van Meter High School (88% against 60%, A+), Nashua Plainfield Junior Seniorhigh School (70% against 47%, A), East Marshall Senior High School (65% against 42%, A-).

Districts with the most schools in the top quarter (the top 79): Western Dubuque Comm School District (2), Ankeny Comm School District (2).

Cities with the most ranked high schools: Des Moines (6, 5 at A or B), Cedar Rapids (5, 4 at A or B), Council Bluffs (3, 3 at A or B), Sioux City (3, 3 at A or B), Davenport (3, 3 at A or B).

The largest ranked high schools: Lincoln High School (2,403 students, B, #295), Southeast Polk High School (2,353 students, A-, #163), Linn Mar High School (2,271 students, A, #59).

High schools in Iowa that are not ranked

32 graded high schools are listed here rather than ranked, each for the reason given. Every one has its own page with its full SchoolGrade report.

Special-purpose schools (13)

Alternative, special-education and vocational schools serve a different mission and a different student body, so they are graded but not ranked against regular schools.

B- Alternative School, Mason City
B Belmond Klemme Alternative School, Belmond
C- Elizabeth Tate Alt High School, Iowa City
D Expo Alternative Learning Center, Waterloo
B- Greenview Alternative School, Waverly
C Individualized Learning Center, Le Mars
D Metro High School, Cedar Rapids
C Mid City High, Davenport
B Pocahontas Area Regional Learning Center, Pocahontas
D- Ruby Van Meter, Des Moines
C- Walnut Creek Campus, West Des Moines
D West Academy Alternative School, Newton
D+ Wisdomquest Education Center, Mount Pleasant

Fully online schools (5)

Statewide virtual schools draw students from everywhere, so a place ranking is not a fair comparison.

A- Iowa Connections Academy High School, Anita
A Iowa Virtual Academy, Guttenberg
A+ Mid Prairie Virtual Academy, Wellman
A+ Sidney Virtual Sac School, Sidney
B Virtual Campus, Des Moines

Closed schools (1)

NCES lists these schools as closed or inactive since their last graded year.

A- Southeast Valley High School, Gowrie

Not yet graded (13)

Too little test data to grade.

Cedar Falls Virtual Campus, Cedar Falls
Dc Online, Bloomfield
Iccsd Pk 12 Online Learning Program, Iowa City
Ignite Online And Personalized Learning, Shenandoah
Marshalltown Virtual Academy, Marshalltown
Mason City Virtual Academy, Mason City
Montezuma Virtual Learning Academy, Montezuma
Northwest High School, Waukee
Oelwein Online School, Oelwein
Oskaloosa Virtual Academy, Oskaloosa
Ottumwa Virtual Learning, Ottumwa
Vibe Academy Virtual Institute For Brighter Education, Sioux City
Williamsburg Virtual Academy, Williamsburg

About this ranking

Scope: every public high school in Iowa.
Order: SchoolGrade, then actual proficiency, then name; schools with the same grade and score share a rank.
Ranked: regular public schools that NCES lists as open, not fully online, with at least 30 students. Others are listed with the reason.
Tags: Magnet and Charter from the NCES school directory; K-12 marks schools serving every grade that are ranked with the high schools.
Grades are the 2025-26 SchoolGrade model. How SchoolGrade works

Questions about high schools in Iowa

What is the best high school in Iowa?

Gilbert High School in Gilbert ranks first among the 314 ranked high schools in Iowa with a SchoolGrade of A+, 89% of tested students meeting the state bar against a projected 76%.

How are high schools in Iowa ranked?

By SchoolGrade, the 2025-26 model that scores each school's actual test proficiency against the level projected for its student context, then by actual proficiency to break ties. Regular public schools that are open, not fully online and have at least 30 students are ranked; the rest are listed below the table with the reason.

How many high schools does Iowa have?

SchoolGrade grades 346 public high schools in Iowa; 314 are ranked here and 32 are listed as not ranked.