Old Capitol · Photo: Billwhittaker · CC BY-SA 3.0Iowa City’s public schools outscore 53% of Iowa State districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Iowa City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa State, not nationally.
From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Iowa City’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 561 Iowa State towns with household incomes within a quarter of Iowa City’s, its schools beat 61%, higher than their 53% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 72% and math 66% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,052 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa State (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Regina Catholic Elementary School (private), Regina Catholic Education Center Jr./Sr. High (private), Faith Academy (private) and Willowwind School (private) are in town. ICCSD Online Learning Program, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Iowa City’s grade
B−: better than 53% of Iowa State school districts, #73 of 140 Iowa State towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Iowa State average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Iowa City, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Iowa City
Southeast Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,269 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Iowa City
Southeast Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,269 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Iowa City
Southeast Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,269 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Iowa City · depends on your address
Iowa City High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,666 students · 16:1 students per teacher
West Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,514 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Iowa City · depends on your address
Iowa City High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,666 students · 16:1 students per teacher
West Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,514 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Iowa City · depends on your address
Iowa City High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,666 students · 16:1 students per teacher
West Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,514 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Iowa City · depends on your address
Iowa City High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,666 students · 16:1 students per teacher
West Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,514 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Iowa City’s public schools are run by Iowa City Community School District, which also serves Coralville, Hills, North Liberty and University Heights. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Iowa City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa State towns that share Iowa City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City | B− | Iowa City |
| Coralville | B− | Iowa City PK–12 · Clear Creek-Amana PK–12 |
Every school in Iowa City
20 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa State’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Iowa City’s schools
Are Iowa City’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Iowa State: the public schools Iowa City children attend outscore 53% of Iowa State’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #73 of 140 Iowa State towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 61%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Iowa City in?
Iowa City Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 14,960 students in 28 schools (2024–25).
Where do Iowa City kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Iowa City High School and West Senior High School.
What is Iowa City’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Iowa City Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa State.
How much does Iowa City spend per student?
$14,052 in Iowa City Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa State. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Iowa City?
Yes: Regina Catholic Elementary School (Catholic, grades K–6, 509 students), Regina Catholic Education Center Jr./Sr. High (Catholic, grades 7–12, 400 students), Faith Academy (religious, grades K–6, 115 students) and Willowwind School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 87 students).
Parents talk
What Iowa City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Iowa City → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa State. Stars are from neighbors.