For the 2025 school year, there are 13 alternative public schools serving 1,875 students in Iowa.
The top ranked alternative public schools in Iowa are Alternative School, Belmond-klemme Alternative School and Pocahontas Area Regional Learning Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Iowa alternative public schools have an average math proficiency score of 18% (versus the Iowa public school average of 64%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 70% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Schools in Iowa (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
19 N. Illinois Ave.
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4426
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 421-4426
Grades: 9-12
| 92 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Belmond-klemme Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
303 E. Main Street
Belmond, IA 50421
(641) 444-4300
Belmond, IA 50421
(641) 444-4300
Grades: 9-12
| 13 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Pocahontas Area Regional Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
202 1st Ave Sw
Pocahontas, IA 50574
(712) 335-5971
Pocahontas, IA 50574
(712) 335-5971
Grades: 9-12
| 18 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Wisdomquest Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
401 E. Monroe Street
Mount Pleasant, IA 52641
(319) 385-7709
Mount Pleasant, IA 52641
(319) 385-7709
Grades: 10-12
| 22 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Woodward Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1251 334th St
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-3150
Woodward, IA 50276
(515) 438-3150
Grades: 5-12
| 114 students
Rank: #66.
Mid City High School
Alternative School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3801 Marquette Street
Davenport, IA 52806
(563) 336-7600
Davenport, IA 52806
(563) 336-7600
Grades: 7-12
| 195 students
Rank: #77.
Expo Alternative Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1410 Independence Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 433-1930
Grades: 6-12
| 578 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Greenview Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
106 16th St Sw
Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-9273
Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-9273
Grades: 9-12
| 37 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Individualized Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
940 Lincoln Street Sw
Le Mars, IA 51031
(712) 546-5858
Le Mars, IA 51031
(712) 546-5858
Grades: 9-12
| 42 students
Rank: #1010.
Walnut Creek Campus
Alternative School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1020 8th Street
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6480
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6480
Grades: 9-12
| 165 students
Rank: #1111.
Elizabeth Tate Alt. High School
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1528 Mall Drive
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1080
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1080
Grades: 9-12
| 191 students
Rank: #1212.
West Academy Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1302 1st Avenue West
Newton, IA 50208
(641) 792-0335
Newton, IA 50208
(641) 792-0335
Grades: 10-12
| 65 students
Rank: #1313.
Metro High School
Alternative School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1212 7th St Se
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
(319) 558-3100
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
(319) 558-3100
Grades: 9-12
| 343 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked alternative public schools in Iowa?
The top ranked alternative public schools in Iowa include Alternative School, Belmond-klemme Alternative School and Pocahontas Area Regional Learning Center.
How many alternative public schools are located in Iowa?
13 alternative public schools are located in Iowa.
What is the racial composition of students in Iowa?
Iowa alternative public schools minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
