Skip to main content

Average

#439 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 34% in state

Ahstw High School

High School · AHSTW Comm School District

768 S Maple, Avoca, IA 51521

Enrollment

210

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

6.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Avoca

#1 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#80 of 334

In district

#1 of 3

AHSTW Comm School District

School environment

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Ahstw High School

AHSTW High School is a regular public high school located in the remote rural setting of Avoca, Iowa. With an enrollment of 210 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, the school benefits from a supportive learning environment with small class sizes facilitated by its dedicated staff of 18 full-time equivalent teachers. AHSTW High School ranks at #591 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it around the 54th percentile statewide.

The academic performance is solid, with ELA/Reading proficiency standing at 81% and Math proficiency at 75%, while Science proficiency also reaches 81%. Although the MySchoolScout rating sits at 5.6 out of 10, indicating room for improvement, these scores highlight a strong foundation in core subjects. AHSTW High School is situated in a tight-knit rural community where students benefit from close relationships with teachers and peers.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Ahstw High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg+5.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.1 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,442

Ahstw High School — Students at Ahstw High School score 72% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 75.3%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 80.7%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
76.1%
ELA
81.9%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.7/10.

How Ahstw High School Compares

See how Ahstw High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
66th percentile in IA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

768 S Maple, Avoca, IA 51521

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ahstw High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ExiraElk Horn-Kimballton High School (rated 7.8/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Elk Horn), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Griswold Middle/High School (rated 7.4/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Griswold), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Riverside Middle/Senior High School (rated 6.3/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Oakland), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Avoca, see our Avoca schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.6 mi
School Distance Rating
AHSTW Primary School Avoca 0.0 mi 6.7
AHSTW Intermediate School Avoca 0.0 mi 6.6
Oakland Elementary Oakland 11.8 mi 7.2
SHELBY COUNTY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Harlan 12.4 mi 7.0
Harlan Intermediate School Harlan 12.8 mi 5.2
Harlan Primary Harlan 12.8 mi 4.4
Harlan Community Middle School Harlan 13.0 mi 6.3
Harlan High School Harlan 13.0 mi 4.5
Riverside Middle/Senior High School Oakland 12.9 mi 6.3
Carson Elementary Carson 16.5 mi 3.7
Tri-Center Middle School Neola 13.3 mi 6.5
Tri-Center Elementary School Neola 13.3 mi 7.9
Tri-Center High School Neola 13.3 mi 5.6
Griswold Middle/High School Griswold 19.2 mi 7.4
Griswold Elementary Griswold 19.2 mi 7.2
ExiraElk Horn-Kimballton High School Elk Horn 17.0 mi 7.8
Atlantic Middle School Atlantic 18.0 mi 7.7
Washington Elementary School Atlantic 18.1 mi 7.2
Schuler Elementary School Atlantic 18.1 mi 6.2
Underwood Elementary School Underwood 18.6 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,715

Median Home Value

$173,100

Median Rent

$883/mo

Population

1,935

College Educated

27.7%

Homeownership

74.2%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

10.5%

Median Age

42.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ahstw High School has a median household income of $71,715. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,100, with a median rent of $883/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Dike-New Hartford High School Dike, IA 6.9
Martensdale-St Marys Jr-Sr High School Martensdale, IA 6.9
Shenandoah High School Shenandoah, IA 6.9
Denver Senior High School Denver, IA 7.0
Earlham Senior High School Earlham, IA 7.0
Maple Valley-Anthon Oto High School Mapleton, IA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ahstw High School

What grades does Ahstw High School serve?

Ahstw High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Ahstw High School?

Ahstw High School has an enrollment of approximately 210 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ahstw High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ahstw High School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ahstw High School rank in IA?

Ahstw High School is ranked #439 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Ahstw High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ahstw High School has a composite rating of 6.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ahstw High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ahstw High School has 75.3% math proficiency and 80.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ahstw High School a charter school?

No, Ahstw High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ahstw High School a Title I school?

No, Ahstw High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ahstw High School?

31.9% of students at Ahstw High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (180/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
210
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Pottawattamie County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

AHSTW Comm School District
District Enrollment
765
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,863
District Rank
#1 of 3

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.