For the 2025 school year, there are 11 blue ribbon public middle schools serving 4,227 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 and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top ranked blue ribbon public middle schools in Iowa are Grundy Center Middle School, Peet Junior High School and Summit Middle 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 76% (versus the Iowa public middle school average of 64%), 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 25% (majority Hispanic).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Middle Schools in Iowa (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Grundy Center Middle School
(Math: 85% | 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
Grades: 5-8
| 217 students
Rank: #22.
Peet Junior High School
(Math: 80% | 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
Grades: 7-9
| 690 students
Rank: #33.
Summit Middle School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
9500 Windsor Parkway
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 986-0318
Grades: 6-7
| 1,135 students
Rank: #44.
Vinton-shellsburg Middle School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
212 W. 15th St.
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Vinton, IA 52349
(319) 436-4728
Grades: 6-8
| 337 students
Rank: #55.
Maquoketa Valley Middle School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
112 Third Street
Delhi, IA 52223
(563) 922-9411
Delhi, IA 52223
(563) 922-9411
Grades: 6-8
| 147 students
Rank: #66.
Westside Junior-senior High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
108 Clinton St
Westside, IA 51467
(712) 663-4311
Westside, IA 51467
(712) 663-4311
Grades: 6-12
| 114 students
Rank: #77.
Alta-aurelia Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
300 Ash St
Aurelia, IA 51005
(712) 434-5595
Aurelia, IA 51005
(712) 434-5595
Grades: 5-8
| 240 students
Rank: #88.
Spencer Middle School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1400 10th Avenue East
Spencer, IA 51301
(712) 262-3345
Spencer, IA 51301
(712) 262-3345
Grades: 6-8
| 502 students
Rank: #99.
Nodaway Valley Middle School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
112 1st St
Fontanelle, IA 50846
(641) 745-2291
Fontanelle, IA 50846
(641) 745-2291
Grades: 6-8
| 135 students
Rank: #1010.
Stilwell Junior High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1601 Vine St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6000
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-6000
Grades: 7-8
| 644 students
Rank: #1111.
Whiting Senior High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
606 West St
Whiting, IA 51063
(712) 455-2468
Whiting, IA 51063
(712) 455-2468
Grades: 7-12
| 66 students
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, Peet Junior High School and Summit Middle 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 25% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
