Two Quad Cities Schools Rank Among Iowa’s Best High Schools

Where a student lives in Iowa often determines their school options. Families in larger cities like Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, and the Iowa side of the Quad Cities tend to have more choices than those in smaller towns with only one high school. While not every school in the state earns top marks, several in Eastern Iowa are recognized for providing exceptional education and preparation for college and beyond.

How the Rankings Were Determined

The website Stacker recently released a list of the 30 best high schools in Iowa, based on rankings from Niche. Those rankings take into account seven weighted factors, including academics, diversity, teachers, college prep, clubs, health and safety, and sports.

Academic performance carries the most weight in determining a school’s overall score. Even the school ranked at number 30—Grinnell Community Senior High School—earned an A-, showing how competitive the list is.

Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley Earn High Marks

Two schools from the Quad Cities area were included among the state’s best. Bettendorf High School ranked within the top 24, earning an A- grade from Niche. With an enrollment of around 1,550 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 16 to 1, Bettendorf continues to stand out for its academics and extracurricular opportunities.

Pleasant Valley Ranked Second in the State

Leading the Quad Cities region is Pleasant Valley High School, which ranked #2 overall in Iowa. With approximately 1,643 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 16 to 1, Pleasant Valley earned an impressive A+ grade. The school’s strong academic performance and well-rounded programs helped secure its place among Iowa’s elite high schools.