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Below Average

#1185 of 1,280 schools in IA

Algona High School

High School · Algona Comm School District

601 S Hale, Algona, IA 50511

Enrollment

471

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Algona

#4 of 5

public schools

Iowa high schools

#308 of 334

In district

#4 of 5

Algona Comm School District

About Algona High School

Algona High School is a regular public high school located in the rural setting of Algona, Iowa. Situated at 601 S Hale, it serves students from ninth through twelfth grade with an enrollment of 471 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1. The school has 31 full-time equivalent teachers committed to providing quality education in a small-town environment.

Academically, Algona High School shows areas for improvement according to the MySchoolScout Rating of 3.0 out of 10 and its state ranking at #1173 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it in the 9th percentile overall. However, students perform well in core subjects: 72% are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, 68% in Math, and 74% in Science. While Algona High School faces challenges in some areas, its setting offers a close-knit community where teachers and students can build strong relationships.

The school is situated near the town of Algona, providing students with opportunities for community involvement and support.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Algona 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 Progress3.1Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.9Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64%
Math vs. State Avg-8.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.1 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected-12.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College Readiness4.4Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,660

Algona High School — Students at Algona High School score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.5%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 71.8%
School
State
74.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
59%
ELA
63%
2022
Math
58%
ELA
64%
2025
Math
68.7%
ELA
75.7%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Algona High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
8th percentile in IA
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

601 S Hale, Algona, IA 50511

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Algona High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West Hancock High School (rated 8.3/10, 20.8 miles away, in nearby Britt), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Bend-Mallard High School (rated 6.5/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby West Bend), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Humboldt High School (rated 4.8/10, 24.1 miles away, in nearby Humboldt), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Algona, see our Algona schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Algona Middle School Algona 0.0 mi 7.5
Lucia Wallace Elementary School Algona 0.2 mi 6.6
SETON GRADE SCHOOL Algona 0.6 mi 5.6
Bertha Godfrey Elementary School Algona 0.6 mi 4.1
Bryant Elementary School Algona 0.8 mi 5.6
BISHOP GARRIGAN CAMPUS Algona 1.3 mi 6.7
Twin Rivers Elementary School Bode 14.0 mi 8.9
North Union Elementary Fenton 13.1 mi 9.5
West Bend-Mallard Elementary School West Bend 13.5 mi 4.3
West Bend-Mallard Middle School West Bend 13.5 mi 5.6
West Bend-Mallard High School West Bend 13.5 mi 6.5
North Kossuth Elementary School Swea City 22.6 mi 9.3
North Union Middle School Swea City 22.6 mi 9.0
ST MARY SCHOOL Humboldt 23.4 mi 5.2
Taft Elementary School Humboldt 23.5 mi 7.2
Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City 23.6 mi 4.0
Humboldt High School Humboldt 24.1 mi 4.8
Humboldt Middle School Humboldt 24.1 mi 6.9
Gilmore City Elementary School Gilmore City 25.7 mi 4.7
West Hancock High School Britt 20.8 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50511 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,256

Median Home Value

$180,600

Median Rent

$892/mo

Population

6,987

College Educated

26.1%

Homeownership

71.1%

Avg Commute

12.7 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

45.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Algona High School has a median household income of $60,256. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,600, with a median rent of $892/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 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
Tipton High School Tipton, IA 4.3
Clarke Community High School Osceola, IA 4.1
Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake, IA 4.1
Atlantic High School Atlantic, IA 4.0
PCM High School Monroe, IA 4.4
Wapsie Valley High School Fairbank, IA 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Algona High School

What grades does Algona High School serve?

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

How many students attend Algona High School?

Algona High School has an enrollment of approximately 471 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Algona High School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Algona High School rank in IA?

Algona High School is ranked #1185 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Algona High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Algona High School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Algona High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Algona High School has 67.5% math proficiency and 71.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Algona High School a charter school?

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

Is Algona High School a Title I school?

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

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

30.8% of students at Algona 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

City Safety
Low (227/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Algona). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
471
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Kossuth County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Algona Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,597
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,174
District Rank
#4 of 5

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

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