Iowans reputation for modest, hardworking folk is reflected in the quality and high achievement of the state’s public school districts. In fact, Iowa was ranked fifth in the country in education by U.S. News and World Report.

The honor of being Iowa’s best school system goes to Johnston Community School District serving Johnston, IA, a northern suburb of capital city Des Moines. Among the largest school districts in the state, JCSD is comprised of eight schools, several specialty centers and employs over 1,000 people.

Waukee Community School District earns the second position on the list. The district--named Iowa’s fastest growing in 2015--administers 13 schools with an enrollment of over 9,500 students from preschool through grade 12. Over 89% percent of WCSD graduates proceed on to a form of postgraduate education, and the district ranks high in every measurement of academic achievement.

Ranking third is the Pleasant Valley Community School District, which serves the communities of Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley, Riverdale and LeClaire, IA. The district of around 4,200 students has received accreditation through the Iowa Department of Education and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Fourth on the list is Gilbert School District located in Gilbert, IA. GSD consistently ranks high in academic excellence and recently received a terrific rating in the most recent Iowa School Report Card.

Ankeny Community School District of Polk County, IA places at #5. The large district of over 10,000 students is one of the fastest growing in the state, and has been accredited by a number of organizations.

Methodology

The following contributed to the ranking: student performance (math and reading test scores), dropout rates, school funding, and area poverty rates. Data was collected from a total of 9,577 school districts.

Did your district make the list?