For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public preschools serving 3,020 students in Iowa City, IA.
The top ranked public preschools in Iowa City, IA are Bohumil Shimek Elementary School, Horace Mann Elementary School and Helen Lemme Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Iowa City, IA public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 64% (versus the Iowa public pre school average of 73%), and reading proficiency score of 64% (versus the 69% statewide average). Pre schools in Iowa City have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Iowa public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public preschool average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Iowa City, IA (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bohumil Shimek Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1400 Grissel Place
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1160
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1160
Gr: PK-6 | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #22.
Horace Mann Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
521 N Dodge St
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1145
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1145
Gr: PK-6 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #33.
Helen Lemme Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3100 Washington St
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1125
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1125
Gr: PK-6 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #44.
Herbert Hoover Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1355 Barrington Rd
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1110
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1110
Gr: PK-6 | 515 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #55.
Robert Lucas Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
830 Southlawn Dr
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1140
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1140
Gr: PK-6 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #66.
Ernest Horn Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
600 Koser Ave
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319) 688-1115
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319) 688-1115
Gr: PK-6 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #77.
Alexander Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3571 Sycamore St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1095
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1095
Gr: PK-6 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #88.
Mark Twain Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1355 Deforest Avenue
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1165
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1165
Gr: PK-6 | 241 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #99.
Grant Wood Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1930 Lakeside Dr
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1180
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-1180
Gr: PK-6 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Iowa City, Iowa Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
2200 E Court St
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1110
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 688-1110
Gr: PK-6 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
611 Greenwood Dr
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319) 688-1155
Iowa City, IA 52246
(319) 688-1155
Gr: PK-6 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Iowa City, IA?
The top ranked public preschools in Iowa City, IA include Bohumil Shimek Elementary School, Horace Mann Elementary School and Helen Lemme Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Iowa City?
9 public preschools are located in Iowa City.
What is the racial composition of students in Iowa City?
Iowa City public preschools minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Iowa public preschools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Iowa City are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Iowa City include: Robert Lucas Elementary School vs. Helen Lemme Elementary School, Alexander Elementary School vs. Grant Wood Elementary School, Helen Lemme Elementary School vs. Robert Lucas Elementary School
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