2022 Best school districts in Iowa

• Bettendorf, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.4 out of 5  53 reviews

Senior: There are few school districts as good as Pleasant Valley's. The teachers care, the student body is surprisingly diverse, and the academics are challenging. The only reason I would not give my school 5 stars comes from my experience during the Coronavirus pandemic, where it became painfully clear that this school cares more for its athletic department than it does for the health and safety of its students.... Read 53 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 7

• Students 5,331

• Gilbert, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  24 reviews

Sophomore: The Gilbert Community School District is a great place for any child to attend. Gilbert is ranked #2 in state assessment proficiency and #79 in the nation. They are a small, but growing district and are welcome to anyone and everyone. Through Gilbert, children are received many great opportunities along with bringing fun to academics.... Read 24 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,589

• Waukee, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.35 out of 5  82 reviews

Junior: Overall, Waukee’s School district is very well-rounded when it comes to valuing students’ academic needs. Given many challenging curriculums, students get the chance to challenge themselves in order to better improve their learning abilities. Students also have the chance to be involved in many after school clubs and activities, some that students have created themselves. Staff and administrators are very involved in what goes on in every Waukee school, and they make sure students are constantly in a safe learning environment. With a large variety of Waukee’s clubs, activities and sports, parents of participating students are involved in fundraising, planning, and lending a helping hand. Waukee Community School District is a very proficient system and the schools all around have been producing more graduates than I personally have seen in quite some time.... Read 82 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 14

• Students 11,781

• Ankeny, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.19 out of 5  32 reviews

Senior: The Ankeny Community School District maintains safe, engaging, and respectable schools. They put an emphasis on the arts with their many music programs from show choirs to marching band. They excel in academics as well with many AP classes to offer such as AP European History, AP Physics, AP Biology, and AP US History. The district as a whole does a great job at making students not just feel welcome and safe, but creating environments for kids to be themselves without judgement so they are welcome and safe. Ankeny Schools looks out for their kids and do the best possible jobs they can to help students when they need it. Their use of technology in the classroom only helps student's learning, especially in 2020 when online classrooms become a necessity. Overall, a great district to learn in, and a wonderful school system to make friends in.... Read 32 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 17

• Students 12,188

• Orange City, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.45 out of 5  33 reviews

Senior: I loved the community of our small school district. Every one knew each other and the teachers made it their priority to build a connection with every student. One thing that I would love to see change is our school rules on water bottles. Last year the school made it a rule that you must have a completely clear water bottle. This allowed for the staff and faculty to see the contents of it. Tinted yet transparent water bottles would be taken away. This was very frustrating because some students could not find completely clear bottles. Hydration has kind of swept our school, with many kids choosing to decorate their water bottles with stickers and decals. I would love to see the restrictions on water bottles loosened because hydration never takes a vacation!... Read 33 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,529

• Decorah, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 3.9 out of 5  20 reviews

Alum: During my time in Decorah, I have been surrounded by a supporting and accepting environment. The students there are all very kind and I haven't had a negative relationship with any. The community is also very accepting of those in the LGBTQ+ community which, while I am not a part of, is something that I believe is important for a community to be accepting of. Overall, I loved my time there and I would be happy to return to visit in the future.... Read 20 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 5

• Students 1,665

• Johnston, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  86 reviews

Senior: Being in the Johnston district for many years, it has really prepared me well for my future. I’ve learned many real life skills in and out of the classroom from interactions I’ve had with teachers, students, staff and from the many activities Johnston offers!... Read 86 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 8

• Students 7,408

• Van Meter, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.71 out of 5  7 reviews

Senior: The Van Meter Community School District has been an outstanding place to learn, mature, and prepare for the future. The opportunities that are openly provided to students on a daily basis are unmatched. I feel at home in this school and in the community. The Van Meter School is definitely on the smaller scale size wise, but I think that is what makes it so special. It is what makes this place a community. The hallways are always full of friendly faces and hands waving hello. The classes are full of words of encouragement and teachers pushing you to be the best that you can be. The way that the school accommodates to each and every students needs, whether they are personal or educational, is tremendous. It is something that I know a lot of other schools are not capable of doing. I truly feel at home here and I think almost every student in attendance at Van Meter Junior and Senior High School could say the same thing.... Read 7 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 3

• Students 972

• Marion, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.07 out of 5  58 reviews

Junior: Linn-Mar provides a great, welcoming atmosphere for all students. The sports programs may not be the best, but we have truly amazing fine arts, music, and theatre programs that any student should be proud of. Go Lions!... Read 58 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 12

• Students 7,762

• West Des Moines, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  78 reviews

Junior: This school prides itself on being excellent in every aspect, which is what they call the « four A’s »: academics, athletics, activities, and arts. Their academics are among the best in the state, and I have the opportunity to get close to a 2 year college degree before I even graduate. They often win state championships in a wide range of sports, and they offer more activities and clubs, than almost anywhere else, including the best theatre program in Iowa. They even offer band, choir, and orchestra, all of which are considered to be among the top in the country. The orchestra has even won numerous national titles in the last few years. All in all, this school is known for its rigorous academics and good football team, but anyone can find their place in any activity or group here, and will find excellence within.... Read 78 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 14

• Students 9,248

• Delhi, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.6 out of 5  15 reviews

Senior: I am currently a senior in high school at Maquoketa Valley. The education expectations are high here. The teachers and staff will push you, sometimes to your limits, to get the most out of you. The teachers put in a lot of hard work and time to make sure their students succeed. This school offers students a chance to be involved in many different types of activities. The culture here is wonderful!... Read 15 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 5

• Students 719

• Farley, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.47 out of 5  17 reviews

Alum: I'm a recent Western Dubuque community school district alumni and I can say without a doubt that there is certainly no school district quite like this one. The Western Dubuque school district is the largest school district in Iowa but one would never know that what with the wonderful accommodating, and inspirational staff members. I believe there is truly no school in the world with more school spirit than this one. Though tragedy and triumph this school district sticks together though it all. This school district goes above and beyond and as a recent graduate I'm proud to say that once a Bobcat always a Bobcat!... Read 17 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 8

• Students 3,701

• Harlan, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  13 reviews

Alum: Harlan Community is a safe place for a growing person to receive an education. In a largely rural setting, morals and community engagement are emphasized for the continued progress that we may all benefit from. There are some discrepancies though that can be addressed. Too much funding and attention is attributed to the high school football team. Another issue, that may have been addressed, in the six years since my own graduation, is that there is little readiness for students to go to college and stick with a program of higher education. Students would particularly benefit from continued education on the benefits of entering a trade or skill based school that gives hands on learning while providing a solid education and a learned candidate for living a sustainable, socially ethical life. There is the potential for this school system to grow beyond the bounds of a football field, but it will require the combined efforts of student, parent, and administrative groups to succeed.... Read 13 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,504

• Iowa City, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.16 out of 5  118 reviews

Alum: I am a recent graduate from Iowa City West High. I really liked the college readiness of the teachers and the classes. The amount of AP Classes that I could take was great! It really helped me prepare for my college classes with learning how to take notes, be organized, and manage my time well. I thought the teachers that I had were very caring and understanding when it came to work done in and outside of classes. I think that West High prepares you very well for college at any school.... Read 118 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 28

• Students 14,428

• Ames, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.08 out of 5  26 reviews

Junior: As a high school student, the overall student atmosphere at Ames High is kind of low. There’s the patch of upperclassmen like indulge in school spirit, and there’s the incoming freshmen who despise schooling in general. I can’t help but recognize the administrators and staff members who go the extra mile to make school more fun for students and their efforts should not go unnoticed. Teachers on campus have innovated and created new ways of learning to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and have gone above and beyond in their fields. Meanwhile, students who recognize these efforts take the time to appreciate their teachers. It’s time we bring back Ames High spirit, and treat our school with the patriotism it rightfully earns and deserves.... Read 26 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 8

• Students 4,709

• Solon, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  18 reviews

Senior: Solon has excelling academics with teachers who truly care about the students. High School Students are encouraged to take college courses at the surrounding colleges and universities at no cost to the students. The only downfall is that the school only offers 2 AP courses. There also are no Agriculture or FCS courses offered. Solon is a very safe school district and respect is expected of everyone school wide. A variety of clubs and activities are offered and the school is known for its excellence in sports, specifically football. The school culture can be a little clicky and there definitely is an in-group and out-group feel. Music and fine arts are fairly good, but marching band doesn't receive much funding. Everything tends to go towards the sports programs, but this leads to exceptionally nice facilities. This includes an indoor track, turf field, brand new weight lifting room, and two gyms.... Read 18 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,515

• Waverly, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.29 out of 5  31 reviews

Senior: I personally love this school. The teachers and staff make it so much easier to learn and have fun at the same time! Sporting events are very exciting to attend at the school, and our sportsmanship is very good. I love playing softball for this school, as my teammates and the coaches are all there for me. I honestly couldn’t imagine attending a different school.... Read 31 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 7

• Students 2,335

• Bettendorf, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.04 out of 5  27 reviews

Senior: I've been a member of this district since kindergarten. My experience with Paul Norton Elementary was very positive, I had excellent teachers and lots of friends. Bettendorf Middle School did a nice job of preparing me for high school and allowed me to start getting involved with several of the extracurriculars I am now in today, as a senior. Attending Bettendorf High School has been an overall positive experience for me as well. My teachers have all been very helpful, available, and clearly want me to succeed. I have had so many wonderful opportunites to get involved within the school, whether it be clubs, sports, or the fine arts. Lastly, a variety of challengings courses and dual credit enrollment opportunities are offered. My senior year has allowed me to take a lot of courses in my intended area of study in college and even get some college credit already done.... Read 27 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 7

• Students 4,719

• Underwood, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  18 reviews

Senior: Underwood High School has been a great place to make friends, have fun and learn a lot. I like Quiz Bowl, Marching Band, going to football games, just the whole experience has been awesome!... Read 18 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 3

• Students 802

• Williamsburg, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.18 out of 5  17 reviews

Sophomore: I love the environment in this school and how most teacher teach the content. A lot of them are willing to help students and not make any student feel idiotic for being unsure of a subject. The administrators care about the students and have our best interests in mind. They are involved and help our school to be a safe place where we don't have to worry about "fitting in" because there's also something for everyone!... Read 17 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 2

• Students 1,226

• Huxley, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.31 out of 5  13 reviews

Senior: The Ballard Community School District is incredible. The staff helps the students academically and with extracurricular activities, which allows students to become well-rounded members of society. Students have countless opportunities to participate in a multitude of extracurricular activities. It is important for the school to engage all of its learners. Something I would like to see improved is the acceptance of everyone. Students need to be taught to respect everyone despite our differences. I will greatly miss the Ballard community when I leave for college.... Read 13 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,850

• Alleman, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  18 reviews

Sophomore: Great school, they have amazing teachers who are flexible and always ready to help. Since North Polk is paired up with DMACC there is a lot of options for high school students to take non traditional routes of learning(internships, collage level classes). North Polk is also very in touch with the student body and in high school especially they make sure to look for feedback on how to make the experience better.... Read 18 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,984

• Story City, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  17 reviews

Senior: I´ve had a great experience at Roland-Story High School. I moved here last year from the Chicago suburbs and was very welcomed by many students and staff. On my unofficial first day of enrollment, I was given a tour of the school by a group of seniors who introduced me to all of the teachers. The teachers at Roland-Story are some of the best I´ve ever had. One teacher, in particular, is amusing and always has a story to tell that he can relate to the lesson. The community involvement of the district is unique. Every year during the fall, different groups of students help the community by raking leaves and cleaning the yards of people who live in town. By far the best experience I´ve had at Roland-Story was building a Halloween activity called Haunted Highschool. During a three-week time span, my classmates and I used the shop to build ramps, frames, and other wood objects for a haunted house course. Overall, my experience at Roland-Story Highschool has been fun and beneficial.... Read 17 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 3

• Students 1,080

• St. Ansgar, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.55 out of 5  11 reviews

Alum: St. Ansgar Community School District is an amazing school to go to. I am not saying this just because I went there. I am saying this because St. Ansgar is a small town and everyone is welcome. There is a lot of ways to succeed at this school, the teachers always go out of their way to help you get work turned in on time, and if someone is failing, there is a program called the Success Center and they meet before and after school.... Read 11 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 3

• Students 612

• Treynor, IA•

• School District

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  Rating 4.45 out of 5  22 reviews

Alum: I will forever be proud to have graduated from Treynor. A great culture of success and excellence runs through everyone who attends and who has attended this school. This place prepared me for college well and gave many of my friends and I a great high school experience. The teachers are top notch and we have beautiful facilities! And above all the community is tight knit and extremely supportive of all the kids in each of their activities from football to wrestling to speech and especially to band!... Read 22 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 3

• Students 808