For the 2025 school year, there are 61 blue ribbon public elementary schools serving 21,457 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 and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top ranked blue ribbon public elementary schools in Iowa are Prairie Trail Elementary School, Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School and Mitchellville Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Iowa blue ribbon public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 79% (versus the Iowa public elementary school average of 70%), and reading proficiency score of 77% (versus the 69% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public elementary school average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Elementary Schools in Iowa (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Prairie Trail Elementary School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1850 Sw College Ave
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9605
Ankeny, IA 50023
(515) 965-9605
Gr: K-5 | 542 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2526 Ashworth Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2901
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2901
Gr: PK-6 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Mitchellville Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
308 Elm Ave Nw
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Mitchellville, IA 50169
(515) 967-4274
Gr: PK-5 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Whittier Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1310 2nd Ave S
Clinton, IA 52732
(563) 243-3230
Clinton, IA 52732
(563) 243-3230
Gr: K-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #55.
Grundy Center Middle School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1006 M Ave
Grundy Center, IA 50638
(319) 825-5464
Grundy Center, IA 50638
(319) 825-5464
Gr: 5-8 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #66.
Taft Elementary School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
612 2nd Ave North
Humboldt, IA 50548
(515) 332-3216
Humboldt, IA 50548
(515) 332-3216
Gr: 1-4 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #77.
North Kossuth Elementary School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
203 5th Street North
Swea City, IA 50590
(515) 272-4361
Swea City, IA 50590
(515) 272-4361
Gr: PK-5 | 140 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #88.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1705 Ne Trilein Dr
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9620
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 965-9620
Gr: K-5 | 631 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #99.
Helen A Hansen Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
616 Holmes Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2775
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2775
Gr: PK-6 | 565 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1010.
Webster Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
12955 Aurora Avenue
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Urbandale, IA 50323
(515) 331-8600
Gr: PK-5 | 546 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Bedford Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
906 Pennsylvania St
Bedford, IA 50833
(712) 523-2116
Bedford, IA 50833
(712) 523-2116
Gr: PK-5 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Runnells Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6575 Se 116th Street
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Runnells, IA 50237
(515) 966-2068
Gr: PK-5 | 276 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #13 - 1513. - 15.
Bryant Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1280 Rush St
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 552-3400
Dubuque, IA 52003
(563) 552-3400
Gr: PK-5 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #13 - 1513. - 15.
Delwood Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
311 Delmar Ave
Delmar, IA 52037
(563) 674-4164
Delmar, IA 52037
(563) 674-4164
Gr: PK-6 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #13 - 1513. - 15.
Maquoketa Valley Middle School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
112 Third Street
Delhi, IA 52223
(563) 922-9411
Delhi, IA 52223
(563) 922-9411
Gr: 6-8 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1616.
Vinton-shellsburg Middle School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
212 W. 15th St.
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Gr: 6-8 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1717.
Sunnyside Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2700 S Maple St
Sioux City, IA 51106
(712) 274-4047
Sioux City, IA 51106
(712) 274-4047
Gr: 3-5 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1818.
Davis Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
818 Hamilton Avenue
Grinnell, IA 50112
(641) 236-2790
Grinnell, IA 50112
(641) 236-2790
Gr: 3-4 | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1919.
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 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2020.
Rock Run Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
710 North St
Iowa Falls, IA 50126
(641) 648-6420
Iowa Falls, IA 50126
(641) 648-6420
Gr: 2-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #2121.
East Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
501 Normal College Ave
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-4337
Sheldon, IA 51201
(712) 324-4337
Gr: PK-4 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2222.
Summit Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9500 Windsor Parkway
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Gr: 6-7 | 1,135 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #23 - 2523. - 25.
Altoona Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
301 6th St Sw
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-3771
Altoona, IA 50009
(515) 967-3771
Gr: PK-5 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #23 - 2523. - 25.
Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
400 3rd Ave Se
Le Mars, IA 51031
(712) 546-4185
Le Mars, IA 51031
(712) 546-4185
Gr: K-5 | 273 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #23 - 2523. - 25.
Okoboji Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
705 N Ave
Milford, IA 51351
(712) 338-2458
Milford, IA 51351
(712) 338-2458
Gr: PK-4 | 505 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #2626.
Southeast Elementary School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
809 4th St Se
Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-3582
Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-3582
Gr: K-4 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
South Central Calhoun Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
330 Brower Street
Rockwell City, IA 50579
(712) 297-8621
Rockwell City, IA 50579
(712) 297-8621
Gr: PK-3 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
801 S 8th Ave West
Newton, IA 50208
(641) 792-7311
Newton, IA 50208
(641) 792-7311
Gr: K-4 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #2929.
Fredericksburg Elementary School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
401 E High St
Fredericksburg, IA 50630
(563) 237-5364
Fredericksburg, IA 50630
(563) 237-5364
Gr: PK-4 | 127 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #3030.
Norman Borlaug Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1000 Kennedy Parkway
Coralville, IA 52241
(319) 688-1155
Coralville, IA 52241
(319) 688-1155
Gr: PK-6 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #3131.
Alta-aurelia Middle School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
300 Ash St
Aurelia, IA 51005
(712) 434-5595
Aurelia, IA 51005
(712) 434-5595
Gr: 5-8 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #32 - 3532. - 35.
Indian Creek Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2900 Indian Creek Rd
Marion, IA 52302
(319) 447-3270
Marion, IA 52302
(319) 447-3270
Gr: K-4 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #32 - 3532. - 35.
John Glenn Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
308 N. Main St.
Donahue, IA 52746
(563) 282-9627
Donahue, IA 52746
(563) 282-9627
Gr: K-6 | 184 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #32 - 3532. - 35.
Mount Ayr Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
607 E Jefferson
Mount Ayr, IA 50854
(641) 464-0537
Mount Ayr, IA 50854
(641) 464-0537
Gr: PK-6 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #32 - 3532. - 35.
Pocahontas Area Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
208 1st Ave Sw
Pocahontas, IA 50574
(712) 335-4642
Pocahontas, IA 50574
(712) 335-4642
Gr: K-6 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Show 26 more public schools in Iowa (out of 61 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked blue ribbon public elementary schools in Iowa?
The top ranked blue ribbon public elementary schools in Iowa include Prairie Trail Elementary School, Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School and Mitchellville Elementary School.
How many blue ribbon public elementary schools are located in Iowa?
61 blue ribbon public elementary schools are located in Iowa.
What is the racial composition of students in Iowa?
Iowa blue ribbon public elementary schools minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Iowa public elementary schools average of 29% (majority Hispanic).
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