What are the best elementary, middle schools in Iowa? See the top schools near you.

U. S. News & World Report has identified Hopewell Elementary in Bettendorf as the best elementary school in Iowa for 2026, with an impressive 98% of students achieving proficient math scores. The rankings evaluated around 30,000 schools nationwide, focusing on student proficiency in reading and math while factoring in socioeconomic demographics. South Hamilton Middle School in Jewell was recognized as the top middle school, serving 315 students with a 13:1 student-teacher ratio.

Approximately 26% of its students are economically disadvantaged, and while it meets state expectations in reading and math, it falls short of the district proficiency rate. The rankings emphasize the educational performance of schools in Iowa, with Hopewell Elementary also noted for enrolling only 4% economically disadvantaged students. U. S. News reviewed private schools in Iowa but did not provide rankings for them.

This announcement follows the earlier release of high school rankings in September. The data used for the rankings came from the U. S. Department of Education, showcasing the importance of academic achievement in evaluating school performance.