2023 Best Schools in Iowa

• Fairfield, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.68 out of 5  85 reviews

Senior: Maharishi School has been one of the most amazing and wonderful experiences of my life. I have grown so much as a person here. Being a boarding student has also really helped in so many ways such as making new friends and learning how to be independent and it has also really helped me learn how to get along when living with other people! Since Maharishi School is a college-based education school it really prepares you for college and how to venture out into the world. The staff and faculty, teachers, students and everyone work so well together to have a peaceful and understanding community. The practice of Transcendental Meditation has also really helped me grow both academically and socially! If you are scrolling through the reviews and are trying to figure out whether this school is a good match for you or not then this is the comment that's going to make you want to attend this school!... Read 85 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 165

• Student-teacher ratio 3:1

• Bettendorf, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  58 reviews

Parent: We love Rivermont! For us there is no other school for our son. We love the value they place on social and emotional growth especially during the last few years. The school does a phenomenal job of honoring our child as an individual while maintaining a sense of community throughout the grades. We are so impressed with how they scaffold their education and spark collaborative learning which will be essential skills for work and life. To me, providing a safe and joyful learning environment is priceless and we are confident that’s what our child receives everyday at Rivermont.... Read 58 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 200

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Pleasant Valley Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-6

• grade A+

• Students 696

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• 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•

• K-6

• grade A+

• Students 673

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Pleasant Valley Community School District, IA•

• 7-8

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Middle School Student: I loved it. Moving from somewhere I was constantly bullied, was an amazing change. I loved my teachers, the ones who never put me down.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 824

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• 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

• Pleasant Valley Community School District, IA•

• K-6

• grade A

• Students 659

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Gilbert Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-2

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Gilbert has really provided my kids with the best education! They all go above and beyond for each and every child.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 351

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Gilbert Community School District, IA•

• 3-5

• •
  Rating 4.6 out of 5  5 reviews

Parent: Gilbert gives special attention to every student. My kids have achieved so much success and we owe it to the Teachers and staff at Gilbert!... Read 5 reviews

• grade A

• Students 332

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Gilbert Community School District, IA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Each and every child receives 100% attention from the teachers at Gilbert Middle School. Nothing is missed here, bullying is not tolerated and students get the help they deserve. They are getting my kids ready for High School and life in general. I can't say enough great things about Gilbert!... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 372

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Waukee Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 615

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• 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

• Ankeny Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 630

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Waukee Community School District, IA•

• 6-7

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Alum: I liked the community of Waukee South Middle School. Most of the teachers were wonderful. I most enjoyed the science and band classes offered. The teachers in these departments truly cared about their students.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 845

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Pleasant Valley Community School District, IA•

• K-6

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: We moved from the Pleasant Valley Elementary school district, which is the #1 elementary school in our district, to Cody Elementary which is a MUCH SMALLER rural school. We were amazed at the student teacher ratio and the how much the teachers were committed to teaching. These teacher CARE about the students in their classes and really care about each student and there learning capabilities. I am so proud that our twins went to Cody. I consider it the BEST ELEMENTARY in the Pleasant Valley School District.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 445

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: My experience at the Elementary School was amazing. Great teachers that knew what they were teaching and great staff that cared about the students.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 447

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Ankeny Community School District, IA•

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 537

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Waukee Community School District, IA•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  7 reviews

Parent: Right now I have a 5th grader there and a new Kindergartner. Our experience has been overall good. My son has had a couple teachers that I question their abilities to teach well, but has had some excellent teachers that make up for it. The school itself is small for as many students that it has, but I don't think that detracts from the education the students receive. The area around the school is family friendly with only a few concerns, a hotel just down the way from the trails behind the school and the busy roads not too far away. Overall the choice we made to move to this area 10 years ago was a good one. My son loves his school and some of the friends he has made and we are hoping our other kids enjoy their future experiences as well.... Read 7 reviews

• grade A

• Students 592

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Ankeny Community School District, IA•

• 6-7

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: Excellent school overall. Good education, an the school staff is amazing. I'm glad I live in Ankeny.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,021

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• 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

• Waukee Community School District, IA•

• 6-7

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

• grade A

• Students 977

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Waukee Community School District, IA•

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 564

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Waukee Community School District, IA•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 679

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• West Branch, IA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  37 reviews

Parent: My daughter started attending Scattergood as a freshman and it has been the best experience for her academically, socially and for her mental health as well! She is challenged academically, accepted for who she is at Scattergood and flourishes as a person. She has a wonderful and diverse group of friends. When coming back from a weekend at home as we pulled into the driveway, she said - "It's Scattergood, my favorite place in the world." We couldn't be more pleased with this school and are certain of the positive impact it will have on our daughter for the rest of her life.... Read 37 reviews

• grade A

• Students 45

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1