Pleasant Valley Makes The List Of Best High Schools In Iowa 2027
A Quad Cities-area high school is once again getting some major recognition for its students, academics, and college preparation.
Pleasant Valley High School has landed on the list of the best high schools in Iowa, ranking No. 6 in the state for the 2026-2027 school year.
With an overall score of 92.92/100, PV ranks No. 1 among high schools in the Davenport, Iowa metro area and No. 1,270 nationally.
The Top 6 High Schools in Iowa
According to the US NEWS rankings, the six highest-ranked high schools in Iowa are:
No. 1 — Iowa City West Senior High School (Iowa City)
No. 2 — Decorah High School (Decorah)
No. 3 — Gilbert High School (Gilbert)
No. 4 — Liberty High School (North Liberty)
No. 5 — Adel DeSoto Minburn (ADM) High School (Adel)
No. 6 — Pleasant Valley High School (Bettendorf)
While Pleasant Valley may be sixth on the statewide list, its ranking shows just how strong the school is compared with high schools across Iowa.
Why Pleasant Valley Made the List
Pleasant Valley High School is recognized for its performance on state-required tests, graduation rates, and how well it prepares students for college.
Pleasant Valley SCORECARD
- Took at Least One AP® Exam 40%
- Passed at Least One AP® Exam 35%
- Mathematics Proficiency 87%
- Reading Proficiency 90%
- Science Proficiency 78%
- Graduation Rate 94%
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One of the biggest factors is the school's college readiness.
About 40% of Pleasant Valley students participate in Advanced Placement, or AP, coursework and exams. These classes give students the opportunity to take college-level courses while still in high school.
The school has 458 students enrolled in 12th grade, and Pleasant Valley is the only high school in the Pleasant Valley Community School District.
How Do They Determine The Best High School?
The U.S. News rankings look at several areas when determining the best high schools, including college readiness, state assessment performance, graduation rates, and the variety of college-level courses students take.
College readiness makes up the largest part of the ranking at 30%, followed by state assessment proficiency and performance.
- College Readiness 30%
- State Assessment Proficiency 20%
- State Assessment Performance 20%
- Underserved Student Performance 10%
- College Curriculum Breadth 10%
- Graduation Rate 10%
With strong academics, AP opportunities, and a focus on preparing students for what comes after graduation, Pleasant Valley High School has earned its spot among Iowa's best.
And for students and families in the Quad Cities, that's something worth bragging about.
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