2023 Best Schools Offering AP Courses in Iowa

• Fairfield, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.69 out of 5  86 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 86 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

• 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

• 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

• West Des Moines, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  245 reviews

Junior: I have had a great experience at Dowling so far. They have so many ways to get involved including many different clubs and groups. Most teachers care about each student and their education, and I have had many teachers use their free time to help me in their classes. Dowling holds all of their students to a high standard. Personally, I enjoy the dress code because it takes away the possibility for bullying based on clothes. There are many different classes you can take here at Dowling, choosing what courses you would like to advance your studies in. Overall, my experience at Dowling has been great; I've made friends, learned study habits, joined clubs and groups, and I feel very well prepared for college!... Read 245 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,391

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• 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  177 reviews

Senior: Centennial is a great school academic-wise. We are offered many AP and honors classes, as well as many many art and trade classes, which is a huge benefit. However, the students in general are kind of rude. There isn’t many people who are ‘in the middle’. Most people are extreme in one way or the other in politics, extraversion, and kindness.... Read 177 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,340

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Waukee Community School District, IA•

• 8-9

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Freshman: Timberline is a great school. The teachers are what make it so amazing. The staff is made up of some of the best people I have ever met. I wish there was less stress out on grades and perfection and more put on understanding material and preparing for life after high school. The admin are also very great, they work very hard to make a student’s time at Timberline the best it can be, and they care about each and every student, despite there being a lot of them.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 851

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Waukee Community School District, IA•

• 8-9

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  5 reviews

High School Senior: Teachers work very hard to make students great... Read 5 reviews

• grade A

• Students 919

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• 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

• Cedar Falls Community School District, IA•

• 7-9

• •
  Rating 3.56 out of 5  9 reviews

Freshman: I love all the experience and the activitys you can do. There are so many options and there are a lot of clubs and after school activities that you can join and be a part of.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A

• Students 673

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• 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

• Cedar Falls Community School District, IA•

• 7-9

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Freshman: My school is excellent! The teachers always push the students to do their best and try there hardest. They give us multiple opportunities to take tests if we don't pass. The students often put encouraging posters in the hallway to boost people's moods. We have several clubs for people who want to be a leader.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 673

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• 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

• Kalona, IA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  5 reviews

Alum: Small class sizes make it very easy to interact with teachers and classmates! Teachers are very willing to give extra help to students, and are forgiving and understanding if students have trouble with an assignment. Students and teachers are able to cultivate personal, but professional relationships that prepare students for forming relationships with adults in the future.... Read 5 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 59

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Davenport, IA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  119 reviews

Senior: Assumption High School gave me the best years of my life. The staff was overall very friendly and helpful. The courses were difficult but prepared us for college-level courses. We were required to take multiple college classes before graduating, so we could be a step above other schools; therefore, giving us an advantage. The school created a sense of community and family. The athletics department was excellent, the coaches were so helpful in each sport. Our teams achieve state-level status in almost every sport! Assumption gave me many experiences that I am thankful for.... Read 119 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 450

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Johnston Community School District, IA•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  351 reviews

Senior: Good academics, resources, technology and buildings, but culture is not inclusive to minority students.... Read 351 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,772

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Iowa, IA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  88 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 88 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 920

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1