2023 Best Public High Schools in Iowa

• Iowa City Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  326 reviews

Senior: I like how involved the faculty are, they want you to do well. My teachers challenged me to take harder classes and were involved in helping me not just do well on the test, but actually understand. I also like how West High is committed to making the school equitable for everyone, constantly working to make West High a safe environment for every student. The students are also very welcoming and tend to stay away from the stereotypical high school social hierarchy.... Read 326 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,466

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Pleasant Valley Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  232 reviews

Senior: I loved the school and it’s education system. Going from my old school this Pleasant Valley was a big change but it helped me for the better, not just with my education but also my social skills and meeting new people. I got to get to know many of the staff and students around me and build bonds with many people. PV has also given me a huge step forward in my career path and helped open doors I never knew existed before attending the school. It crazy how much a school could impact you but I’m grateful Pleasant Valley left such a huge one on me. I will forever me proud to say I was a Pleasant Valley Spartan!... Read 232 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,541

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Ames Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  363 reviews

Senior: Ames High has great teachers! As a result, I am well prepared to begin college this fall. I really enjoyed participating in sports all four years and had great coaches. I have so many great memories from my time in sports. The events were well organized and well attended by other students and families. They were something that many people looked forward to. Unfortunately, my last year was interrupted by COVID-19 and made it difficult to end on a positive not in many ways. However, I appreciated how the teachers stepped up to help students during such a difficult time. They worked hard to get their curriculum online and adjusted quickly to teaching their classes 100% online. They worked hard to continue having a good attitude and being an example for their students. This made a big difference for me and so many others. Thankfully, we were able to have an in person graduation and have some memories together during the last couple months of school. Overall, I had a good experience.... Read 363 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,370

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• West Des Moines Community School District, IA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  456 reviews

Alum: It is known for its strong academic programs and extracurricular activities. The school offers a wide range of courses, including advanced placement classes and vocational education programs. Valley High School has a strong commitment to the Arts, performing and visual, it offers theatre, music, and art programs, that are recognized on a state and national level. The school has a large and well-maintained campus with modern facilities. The school provides students with access to a variety of resources, including computer labs, a library, and study spaces. There is a lot of student life and activities available to students, from sports teams and clubs to student government and volunteer opportunities.... Read 456 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,047

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Cedar Rapids Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  339 reviews

Senior: I have really enjoyed my time here at Kennedy High School, I think it is a great place for academics, sports, and fine arts. There are many different things for students to participate in; if there aren't, you can create a club yourself! During the Covid year, we switched to block scheduling which I think was the wrong decision. With the 90-minute class periods, students have a hard time paying attention or staying on task the whole time and are easily distracted by other things such as friends or phones. Other than that I think the school lunch could be improved dramatically, students don't want to eat the same thing every single week, maybe a voting system could be implimented.... Read 339 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,661

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Gilbert Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  141 reviews

Senior: Gilbert High School is full of experiences! From there sports, academics, arts, and culture they are very welcoming and give you plenty of opportunities. The way they do classes at the high school and the way they teach has helped the students grow. The students like to compete with themselves to get the best grades they can and are always supportive of your decisions. As a school they are very competitive and are getting better every school year. I know for a fact that Gilbert's athletics (specifically both girls and boys soccer, basketball, and xc) are really competitive and know how to have fun at practices and games!... Read 141 reviews

• grade A

• Students 534

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Ankeny Community School District, IA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  176 reviews

Junior: Teachers care about you and want you to succeed! The best teachers I've had since elementary school has been at Centennial. Counselors are willing to meet with you if you want to change your schedule and want you to reach your full potential with your classes. We are one of the most involved in the arts, 1/4 of every student is in the choir and we take show choir VERY seriously here. Though I stopped taking choir after freshman year, I had all the choir teachers BEGGING me to stay. Even though it's a generally large school, teachers know students on a 1-to-1 ratio and care about them. As a mainly STEM student, I feel like most of the teachers are perfect and give the best education I've ever received. I'm glad that I am able to go to such a prestigious school, and I will always be grateful for my opportunities given to me here!... Read 176 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,340

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Iowa City Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  223 reviews

Senior: Iowa City High is a great campus full of insanely talented individuals. Students work together at this school to produce works better than many smaller universities. That being said, that also makes the school quite competitive... Read 223 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,572

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Waukee Community School District, IA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  440 reviews

Sophomore: I've only been at Waukee High School for one semester, but I feel like I've been here for so much longer! This is because this school makes you feel included. I would recommend everyone to do at least one extracurricular activity; it really helps with that feeling of inclusion. I did marching band over the summer, so I got to meet some of my fellow high schoolers before the year even began!... Read 440 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,277

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Ankeny Community School District, IA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  302 reviews

Senior: Ankeny high school has been a great experience overall for me personally. all of the teachers and staff are very inclusive, and supportive of the students. In my classes, most of which are college level courses that can be very difficult for the average student the teachers take time to go over to each student and acknowledge they understand the material as well as allotting select times where students can come in before or after school, or during an open period. The sports are very prestigious, with many hard-working athletes and coaches. The culture and support system around the athletics is a resounding reason as to their successes. The most prominent reason as to why the Athletics and Academics at Ankeny high school are so successful is because of the unwavering culture we have here. That said it's not a perfect school, the Facilities and food could both be improved as while as the diversity of the demographic. Overall, I am proud to be graduating as an Ankeny Hawk in 2023.... Read 302 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,337

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Bettendorf Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  213 reviews

Senior: The coaches are great, and the teachers care and are involved. The school brings a great atmosphere! There is definitely room for improvement, but overall, a great school to attend.... Read 213 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,523

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Linn-Mar Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  297 reviews

Senior: I like the classes offered, the list is very diverse and there are many paths available for whatever interests students have. When I talk with my friends from other schools in the area they say we have way more classes. Even with good academics there are still some bad parts about the school, there are many people (students and very few teachers) who are discriminatory against people in the LGBTQ+ community. There also isn’t equal funding through out the entire school, for example the sports is funded much more than the arts like music or theater.... Read 297 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,233

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Decorah Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  135 reviews

Senior: Decorah High School is ranked as one of the top schools in the state, and it's no surprise why! I spent the majority of my life at a small, private school so when I entered high school, I was initially nervous about the transition. However, the teachers, staff, and students at DHS were nothing short of welcoming! They immediately made me feel comfortable, and DHS soon became my second home. Now being a senior, I can say I've met so many incredible and kind people at DHS. The teachers and staff members are amazing, constantly assisting and supporting students in any way they can. Every student there is hardworking, considerate, and creative. Whether it's through Decorah's amazing sports or music programs, students constantly find ways to use the incredible opportunities provided to share their talents and better their community. Being a student at Decorah High School has been a privilege, and I will be sad to leave after this year!... Read 135 reviews

• grade A

• Students 575

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Johnston Community School District, IA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  350 reviews

Alum: Being at Johnston felt more than just going to school everyday, it was more of I get to go and see friends, have fun, learn new things, have so many new experiences, and more! The teachers there aren’t just there to teach you, but to be your friend and to make sure you succeed. Any problems you have they are more than willing to go out of their way to help you. The diversity and freeness of the school is always refreshing and always seems like I different kind of school experience than others get. There’s never a dull moment at Johnston!... Read 350 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,772

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Le Mars Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  86 reviews

Senior: I had a rough time getting through high school but Le Mars community teachers and students helped me make it to where I am today. Right before my Sophomore year of High School, I got diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma. Ewings Sarcoma is cancer that is in the bones, for me specifically it was a tumor on my femur. My entire life changed completely. I was told I would not be able to make it to school that often and that I would be going through chemotherapy. On top of all of that, I got told I could be on crutches for a long time and my leg will never work the same again. This was a big toll on me because I loved to run and go to school. I had to figure out how I could do school online all while going through treatments. Le Mars Community helped me a lot to get through that year. I struggled to stay on top of all my school work and they did everything in their power to help me. LCHS teachers made it so I get to graduate at the time I am supposed to and I will remember how much they helped me.... Read 86 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 624

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Cedar Falls Community School District, IA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  321 reviews

Senior: At Cedar Falls High School, it is easy to become average. There are average athletes, grades, and arts, but how do I beat the average level? How does anyone beat this level? Getting involved is something I always hear from staff as it is a very important aspect of CFHS. I chose to get involved in programs and activities that will separate me from the rest and make me a better leader. Leadership teams are one way I do this. CFHS offers excellent ways for its students to speak their voices and help make an average place an extraordinary one. Not only do leadership teams provide this for the school, but programs such as MVP (Mentors in Violence Prevention) make it a safer, more welcoming place as well. The school also offers programs such as CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) which pushes me to explore different areas in the medical field. The number of opportunities at CFHS puts the school at an above-average level and makes it a school that I am proud to attend.... Read 321 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,229

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  117 reviews

Junior: MOC is an amazing school with many great teachers who are passionate about what they teach. The music department is one of the best in the area, the coaches all care about the well being of their players, and the teachers work very hard to do what they love. The only thing that I believe is somewhat of a problem is the lack of student-student engagement. There are certain "Circles" per say, and they are quite clear. There's not much of the inclusion of everyone in things. Especially in some classes. There are teachers favorites in some classes. But overall, a pretty decent environment and great staff.... Read 117 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 444

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Cedar Rapids Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  170 reviews

Senior: Washington is a very good school, everyone supports each other and there is a great deal over diversity here. There are many clubs that make you feel welcome, dungeons and dragons, the schools literary press, we have even have different clubs that teach different cultures! Our fine arts department also gets a lot of support, many parents, friends, and family show up to performances and give very generous donations. Not only does Washington have good clubs and a supportive environment but there are many opportunities to get ahead for college, They have beneficial AP courses with teachers who actually take the time to teach and make sure everyone is on the same page, you can be involved in college classes while still being in highschool or you can pick classes that go at a slower pace, there are many classes to choose so you can find the best ones accommodated for you. It’s a positive environment that welcomes any feedback!... Read 170 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,189

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Grinnell-Newburg Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  95 reviews

Senior: At this school, there are a lot of really good teachers who care about their students and whether or not their students succeed. Of course, it's also still a public school, so the school lunches aren't that amazing and the bathrooms are tolerable at best, but all things considered, it's an alright place. The people are for sure the best part, though.... Read 95 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 489

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Williamsburg Community School District, IA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  95 reviews

Alum: I moved from an area with 300 students per grade to the Williamsburg School District, and there was a large and positive difference! The smaller class size means that classes are more personalized and tailored to each student, and there are more classes to choose from. This school also uses a DualEnrollment plan with Kirkwood Community College where students are able to earn transferable college credit while still in high school. There are plenty of AP and advanced classes, shop classes, and multiple clubs and programs to join as well.... Read 95 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 581

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Iowa City Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  20 reviews

Senior: Liberty High is a very nice establishment with high-end facilities. There is plenty of room for all of their students, faculty members, and staff. Everyone is given their own computers, books, and all of the necessary resources. There are so many opportunities to meet new people and make friends. But for those who may be struggling, the teachers help make it a very good and inclusive environment. They offer many different programs and extracurriculars that help bring people together. I know I was really nervous when I was first going into high school but this made it really easy to like Liberty from the start. My experience with Liberty High was very good overall and given the opportunity, I think I would do it all over again.... Read 20 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,155

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Hudson Community School District, IA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  40 reviews

Senior: The academics here are great. The teachers challenge their students well, and push them to do new things that they did not know they could do. They also provide many resources for their students to succeed such as laptops for online access to all classes, work and textbooks. The whole staff is friendly, and truly just wants to see their students succeed. If one thing could improve it would be the amount of clubs and other activities outside of sports. There are some but there could be more.... Read 40 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 359

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• West Marshall Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  56 reviews

Alum: I spent 2 years in West Marshall High School, I have been involved in over 10 activities for that period of time and it was a great time that I have had. It was not only about how the school looked, it was the people and the members of the stuff who really are ready to step up and help. Everyone is very welcoming, either on the team or in class, and the school achievements make the school spirit stronger with every new one.... Read 56 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 314

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Southern Calhoun Community School District, IA•

• PK, 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  27 reviews

Senior: My high school experience with South Central Calhoun High School has been amazing. In my freshman year, I was a shy, quiet girl who didn't talk aloud very much or at all. But throughout the years I have been growing into a more talkative person and being more myself all due to my teachers and friends at South Central Calhoun. All of the teachers at South Central Calhoun High School are supportive of you and what you want to do in your life. They help you make decisions that will affect your the rest of your life. Everyone at South Central wants to see everyone succeed in life and be the best that they can be. I was honored to experience being at a high school like South Central Calhoun High School.... Read 27 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 288

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• George-Little Rock Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  20 reviews

Alum: Although the class sizes are fairly small, the academics are really good. Anytime you need help you will easily find it. There are class options for those who need to be challenged as well as for those who need an extra hand. With the small attendance, you have the opportunity to be athletic all-star as well as participating in other extra curricular activities like drama and music.... Read 20 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 134

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1