2024 Best Schools in the Cedar Rapids Area

• Iowa City Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  330 reviews

Senior: Even though it's ranked one of the best public high schools in the state of Iowa, it just feels like your everyday high school with middle to upper-class families. The staff there are really nice though. Also God forbid you be on the right side of the political spectrum. Because Iowa City is a college town, it's heavily pushed on the school that we need "diversity" and "inclusion," even though we already have plenty of it. A friend of mine recently found out that I was more right-leaning politically, and he was shocked and silently judged me.... Read 330 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,455

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• West Branch, IA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  41 reviews

Parent: What I love about Scattergood Friends School is the sense of Community and Support that I feel , whether going there as a parent for an event, or what I feel that my son gets from there ( that is so different from his public school experience). One can feel the Joy, Playfulness and Care/ Concern there AS WELL AS the indepth education, scholarly academics and pursuit of creating thoughtful, balanced citizens. If one questions the small size of the school, know that there is still quality educational experience because it allows for a more self-paced, independent thinkers and better support of a students goals. The emotional needs of students are addressed thru weekly reflective meditation ( Quaker meeting) as well as close ties to advisors. And since Quakers are generally mellow about doctrine , they provide for the spiritual side of people there without beng too religious. Overall a great school. Highly recommend it.... Read 41 reviews

• grade A

• Students 45

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Iowa City Community School District, IA•

• K-6

• grade A

• Students 352

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Iowa, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  89 reviews

Senior: Being a international student coming into this school, it created a environment that's safe and friendly for me. The teachers and staff all contribute to provide the best experience for everyone. They pushes you to do your best and become the best version of yourself. The administration is very well organized and provides weekly updates to the parents. Regina provides a wide variety of clubs and activities and the school community is very supportive at sporting events. The coaching staff are very experienced and the sport programs have very successful history. Cafeteria food is in need of improvement and lunch time are short, however, the basic nutrition need are met. Regina have a very good college readiness with the help from the counselor but visit with the counselor is limited due to the fact that we only have one counselor. Resources and facilities are all well maintained and provided with Indoor baseball/softball facility and newly built lifting room and wrestling room.... Read 89 reviews

• grade A

• Students 342

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Iowa City Community School District, IA•

• K-6

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Lincoln teachers are the best. From K through 5th, my children have had individualized instruction and attention when it is needed. Last year we found out my (then 1st grader) child had a learning disorder and it was only caught because the teacher noticed “something” wasn’t matching up. Her state scores were fine but other things weren’t falling into place. Teachers make all the difference and this school has the very best Iowa has to offer.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 203

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Linn-Mar Community School District, IA•

• K-4

• grade A

• Students 413

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Solon Community School District, IA•

• 6-8

• grade A

• Students 370

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Linn-Mar Community School District, IA•

• K-4

• grade A

• Students 489

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Linn-Mar Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  302 reviews

Senior: Linn-Mar High School for me has been a fantastic high school experience. They have a wonderful fine arts program that I will say has been the best part of my high school career. Linn-Mar has very decent classes, and I have never been bored with any of the options provided here. There is really a place for everyone. Although there has never been a “worst” part of high school for me I feel like where the school could improve its technology especially by implementing better wifi for our computers. Overall my high school experience has been wonderful and I would definitely recommend Linn-Mar to anyone, Expedia lot if they are involved in band, choir, show choir or orchestra.... Read 302 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,273

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Iowa City Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  22 reviews

Senior: I would say the best part of going to Liberty is that we all have so much access to great resources, facilities, and an educated staff much like that of a college or university. However, being a white male and going to this school is very interesting. Our school board focuses and favors minorities so much that I actually feel discriminated and left out of many decisions.This would be more a school board issue that the school however I feel like this is my number one flaw within my school. My school has done a great job keeping drugs and other possibly harmful substances out of our school in comparison to other students I talk to at other schools. I am often shocked to see how calmly other students will talk about these.... Read 22 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,145

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Linn-Mar Community School District, IA•

• 5-6

• grade A

• Students 556

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Linn-Mar Community School District, IA•

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 534

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Iowa City Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-6

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 196

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Iowa City Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-6

• grade A minus

• Students 548

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Cedar Rapids, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  218 reviews

Alum: Every teacher is invested in you. Not only are they invested in your academic success, they also invest in creating an environment that it safe for you to practice your own beliefs. Each day all teachers are able to help you with anything you are having trouble with and intertwined in it all is their push to help you grow in your faith life. No teacher gives up on you and no teacher holds grudges towards you, each day you come in to class you are greeted with a smile and a clean slate. Teachers are clear with deadlines and even willing to extend due dates when students struggle to understand the concept of the assigned task. Xavier High School does not only care about their athletes, it is a well rounded school with many talents from or music hall to our theater hall. Xavier also prepares you most for college as teachers grade students work with authenticity. While also grading with authenticity you are given constructive feedback for your work to improve. Overall, Xavier is amazing.... Read 218 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 635

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Solon Community School District, IA•

• 4-5

• grade A minus

• Students 206

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Linn-Mar Community School District, IA•

• 7-8

• grade A minus

• Students 540

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Marion Independent School District, IA•

• K-2

• grade A minus

• Students 234

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Iowa City Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  227 reviews

Senior: unfortnately, as I am part of the class of 2024, I had to spend my freshman year completely online. However, this experience was not completely unbearable as the teachers for every grade level at City High are amazing. starting in person classes my sophomore year, i began to take higher level classes. there are lots of options, and the teachers are great and really care about each student's learning! My only problem with City is with administration, which usually does not listen super well to student complaints. However, they have been very proactive in their efforts to make City High a highly inclusive environment, even in a conservative state. Overall, I have definitely enjoyed my time in highschool here!... Read 227 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,557

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Iowa City Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-6

• grade A minus

• Students 500

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Mount Vernon Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-4

• grade A minus

• Students 541

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Cedar Rapids Community School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  348 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 348 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,741

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Solon Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-3

• grade A minus

• Students 453

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Kalona, IA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  5 reviews

Junior: Hillcrest Academy has always held a place in my heart. My grandparents and mother all attended the school years before me and they paved a path for me to take. I decided to attend the small Christian school in 8th grade and have enjoyed the experience every since. The community surrounding the school is supportive and welcoming. The staff and faculty do a wonderful job at maintaining a welcoming, well educational building. I could not imagine going to any other high school.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 105

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Marion Independent School District, IA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  103 reviews

Freshman: Marion High School is overall a great school. Now there are things that could be changed, but that's with all schools. Some things that are positive about the school is the overall friendly environment. The teachers are all super nice and there probably isn't one "bad apple". Some things that could be changed though are the learning environments themselves. All the teachers have a very different way of teaching. Some teachers are strict and others, I feel, just don't really care. This is hard because some students actually want to learn and the teachers sometimes don't provide that type of environment. Overall though this is a great school and I am happy to be attending it! Thanks MHS!... Read 103 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 681

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1