For the 2026 school year, there are 11 blue ribbon public middle schools serving 4,208 students in Iowa.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top-ranked blue ribbon public middle schools in Iowa are Grundy Center Middle School, Maquoketa Valley Middle School and Peet Junior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Iowa blue ribbon public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 79% (versus the Iowa public middle school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 80% (versus the 71% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Iowa public middle school average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Middle Schools in Iowa (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Grundy Center Middle School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1006 M Ave
Grundy Center, IA 50638
(319) 825-5464
Grundy Center, IA 50638
(319) 825-5464
Gr: 5-8 | 219 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Maquoketa Valley Middle School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
112 Third Street
Delhi, IA 52223
(563) 922-9411
Delhi, IA 52223
(563) 922-9411
Gr: 6-8 | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #33.
Peet Junior High School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
525 E Seerley Blvd
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2710
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 553-2710
Gr: 7-9 | 695 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
Vinton-shellsburg Middle School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
212 W. 15th St.
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Gr: 6-8 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #55.
Westside Junior-senior High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
108 Clinton St
Westside, IA 51467
(712) 663-4311
Westside, IA 51467
(712) 663-4311
Gr: 6-12 | 108 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #66.
Summit Middle School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9500 Windsor Parkway
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Gr: 6-7 | 1,118 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #77.
Alta-aurelia Middle School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
300 Ash St
Aurelia, IA 51005
(712) 434-5595
Aurelia, IA 51005
(712) 434-5595
Gr: 5-8 | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #88.
Nodaway Valley Middle School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
112 1st St
Fontanelle, IA 50846
(641) 630-1042
Fontanelle, IA 50846
(641) 630-1042
Gr: 6-8 | 144 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #99.
Spencer Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1400 10th Avenue East
Spencer, IA 51301
(712) 262-3345
Spencer, IA 51301
(712) 262-3345
Gr: 6-8 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1010.
Stilwell Junior High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1601 Vine St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6000
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6000
Gr: 7-8 | 645 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1111.
Whiting Senior High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
606 West St
Whiting, IA 51063
(712) 455-2468
Whiting, IA 51063
(712) 455-2468
Gr: 7-12 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public middle schools in Iowa?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public middle schools in Iowa include Grundy Center Middle School, Maquoketa Valley Middle School and Peet Junior High School.
How many blue ribbon public middle schools are located in Iowa?
11 blue ribbon public middle schools are located in Iowa.
What is the racial composition of students in Iowa?
Iowa blue ribbon public middle schools minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Iowa public middle schools average of 27% (majority Hispanic).
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