Iowa at a glance
- Kindergarten: Age 5 on or prior to September 15.
- Compulsory school age: 6 to 16.
- Required instructional time: 180 days; 1,080 hours (180 days OR 1,080 hours) hours.
- Statewide grading scale: none identified; grading is generally set by districts.
- Remote learning instead of snow days: allowed under state rules (up to 5 days).
Kindergarten entry age
In Iowa, a child can typically start kindergarten if they are Age 5 on or prior to September 15. A child born just after the cutoff usually starts a year later — which is why two children born weeks apart can be a full grade apart.
Use the What Grade Am I In? calculator to turn a birthday into a grade level, or compare all states in our kindergarten cutoff table. Source: Education Commission of the States.
School year and attendance
| Rule | Iowa | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory school age | 6–16 | ECS |
| Minimum instructional days | 180 | ECS (2023) |
| Minimum instructional hours | 1,080 hours (180 days OR 1,080 hours) | ECS (2023) |
Instructional-time rules decide how many missed days must be made up — the reason a winter with several snow days can push the last day of school later. Count down to yours with the Days Until Summer tool.
Grading scale
We did not find a statewide grading scale for Iowa — in most states the scale is set by the district or even the school, and many use 90/80/70/60 or a plus/minus variant. Check your student handbook, then convert scores with our grading scale converter.
Snow days and remote learning
Des Moines averages about 36.5 inches of snow a year (1991–2020 normals, source), which puts Iowa in our regular snow tier. Districts used to heavy snow need more of it to close; places that rarely see snow close for less.
Iowa Code 279.10(1) (Code 2026): of the 180 days/1,080 hours, no more than 5 days or 30 hours may be delivered primarily over the internet (except as provided in 256.43 or SBE rules). Source.
Estimate tomorrow's odds with the Snow Day Calculator.
SAT and ACT scores in Iowa (class of 2026)
Iowa's class of 2026 averaged 1227 on the SAT with 2% of graduates tested, and 21 on the ACT with 39% tested. Nationally the averages were 1045 (SAT) and 19.2 (ACT).
| Measure | Iowa | U.S. | Rank (of 51) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT participation | 2% | n/a | 50 |
| SAT average total | 1227 | 1045 | 7 |
| SAT Reading & Writing / Math | 624 / 603 | 528 / 517 | — |
| SAT total, class of 2025 | 1211 | 1029 | — |
| ACT participation | 39% | 38% | 24 |
| ACT average composite | 21 | 19.2 | 21 |
Participation in Iowa is partial on both tests, so each average reflects a mix of students who chose to test. Compare scores only with states that have similar participation. The SAT and ACT scores by state study shows this participation effect across all 50 states and DC. To see where a single score lands, use the SAT score calculator or the ACT score calculator.
Sources: College Board SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report (Iowa, 2026); ACT 2026 average scores by state. Ranks are among the 50 states and DC.
Free tools for Iowa families and teachers
- High school GPA calculator and final grade calculator
- AP score calculator for May exams
- EZ Grader and report card comments for teachers
- Homework planner and the 10-minute homework rule
State rules change. Facts were checked against the linked sources on October 14, 2026; confirm with your district or state education department.