Best Schools in Iowa City, Iowa
21 schools · 14 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 3 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $62,051
- Median home value
- $287,167
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 61%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 51%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Iowa City compares
Iowa rank
#97 of 175
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below Iowa avg (6.3)
Median household income
$62k
81% of Iowa median
Schools in this city
21
About Schools in Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa is home to 21 schools, including 17 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 14 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.2 out of 10, schools in Iowa City show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Iowa City is Horace Mann Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Iowa City is served by 1 school district: Iowa City Comm School District. These districts collectively serve 14,776 students.
Iowa City's community shows 61% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $62,051. The poverty rate in the area is 24.3%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
14 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 229 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.3 | ||
| 2 | 515 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.6 | ||
| 3 | 241 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.2 | ||
| 4 | 363 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.0 | ||
| 5 | 430 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.7 | ||
| 6 | 391 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.1 | ||
| 7 | 206 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.9 | ||
| 8 | 274 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.3 | ||
| 9 | 371 students · Pre-K–6th | 4.8 | ||
| 10 | 231 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.7 | ||
| 11 | 542 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.6 | ||
| 12 | 361 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.6 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | FAITH ACADEMY
Private
88 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | WILLOWWIND SCHOOL
Private
75 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 853 students · 7th–8th | 5.5 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,472 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 1,606 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
| 3 | 191 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 |
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 172 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.4 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | REGINA CATHOLIC EDUCATION CENTER
Private
831 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | REGINA CATHOLIC EDUCATION CENTER
Private
823 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Iowa City
Iowa City, Iowa · 21 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$62,051
Median Home Value
$287,167
Median Rent
$1,110/mo
Population
80,755
College Educated
61%
Homeownership
51%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
24.3%
Community Profile
Iowa City has a median household income of $62,051. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $287,167, with a median rent of $1,110/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- Iowa
- Total Schools
- 21
- Elementary
- 14
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Districts
- 1
- Avg Rating
- 6.2/10
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Iowa
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Iowa City, Iowa
How many schools are in Iowa City, Iowa?
Iowa City has 21 schools, including 17 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Iowa City, Iowa?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Iowa City is 6.2 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Iowa City, Iowa?
The top-ranked school in Iowa City on MySchoolScout is Horace Mann Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Iowa City, Iowa?
The top-ranked elementary school in Iowa City on MySchoolScout is Horace Mann Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Iowa City, Iowa?
The top-ranked middle school in Iowa City on MySchoolScout is Southeast Junior High School with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best high school in Iowa City, Iowa?
The top-ranked high school in Iowa City on MySchoolScout is West Senior High School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
How many school districts serve Iowa City, Iowa?
Iowa City is served by 1 school district: Iowa City Comm School District.
What is the education level in Iowa City, Iowa?
According to Census data, 61% of adults in Iowa City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Iowa City, Iowa?
The median household income in Iowa City is approximately $62,051 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Iowa City, Iowa?
Yes, Iowa City has 4 private schools alongside 17 public schools. The top-rated private school is Faith Academy with a score of 7.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Iowa City, Iowa?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Iowa City is 13.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Iowa City, Iowa?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Iowa Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.