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Average

#547 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 43% in state

Alta-aurelia High School

High School · Alta-Aurelia Comm School District

1009 South Main Street, Alta, IA 51002

Enrollment

199

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#547 of 1,280

In Alta

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Alta-Aurelia Comm School District

School environment

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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Alta-aurelia High School

6.8/10

High School in Alta · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Alta Elementary School

8.9/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Storm Lake Early Elementary School

7.0/10

3.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Alta-aurelia High School

Alta-aurelia High School is a public high school in Alta, IA, part of Alta-Aurelia Comm School District. Alta-aurelia High School serves approximately 199 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Alta-aurelia High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #547 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Alta-aurelia High School show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts above IA schools
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 199 students, Alta-aurelia High School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Alta-aurelia High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72.4% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.5% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+5.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.6 pts
Overall Proficiency70% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)73% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
College Readiness9.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,724
Chronic Absenteeism24.1%

Alta-aurelia High School — Students at Alta-aurelia High School score 70% 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

39.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 76.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 79.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.2% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2010
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2011
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2012
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2013
Math
95%
ELA
84.5%
2014
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%
2016
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2017
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2018
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
72.4%
ELA
68.5%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Alta-aurelia High School Compares

See how Alta-aurelia High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
57th percentile in IA
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
4.5/10
Below Average
Environment
8.0/10
Excellent
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.1%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·7 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1009 South Main Street, Alta, IA 51002

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alta-aurelia High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Sioux Central High School (rated 6.3/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Sioux Rapids), with a comparable rating. Another option is Washington High School (rated 5.9/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Ridge View High School (rated 5.9/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Holstein), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Alta, see our Alta schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Alta Elementary School Alta 0.0 mi 8.9
Storm Lake Early Elementary School Storm Lake 3.9 mi 7.0
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake 4.0 mi 4.7
Storm Lake Elementary Storm Lake 4.1 mi 3.4
St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS Storm Lake 5.7 mi 3.1
Storm Lake High School Storm Lake 5.7 mi 2.9
East Early Childhood Ctr Storm Lake 6.0 mi 5.2
Aurelia Elementary School Aurelia 7.2 mi 8.4
Alta-Aurelia Middle School Aurelia 7.2 mi 9.0
Schaller-Crestland Elementary Schaller 11.6 mi 9.2
Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary Galva 12.2 mi 5.9
Schaller-Crestland Ridge View Middle School Schaller 15.8 mi 7.5
Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids 16.5 mi 6.6
Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids 16.5 mi 7.3
Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids 16.5 mi 6.3
Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee 14.3 mi 3.7
Cherokee Middle School Cherokee 14.3 mi 6.9
Washington High School Cherokee 14.3 mi 5.9
Galva-Holstein Elementary School Holstein 17.1 mi 5.6
Ridge View High School Holstein 17.1 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,375

Median Home Value

$145,300

Median Rent

$918/mo

Population

2,866

College Educated

24.7%

Homeownership

81.6%

Avg Commute

17.4 min

Poverty Rate

6.5%

Median Age

36.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Akron Westfield Senior High School Akron, IA 6.8
MFL MarMac High School Monona, IA 6.8
Montezuma High School Montezuma, IA 6.8
WACO High School Wayland, IA 6.8
ExiraElk Horn-Kimballton High School Elk Horn, IA 6.7
Iowa Valley Jr-Sr High School Marengo, IA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alta-aurelia High School

What grades does Alta-aurelia High School serve?

Alta-aurelia High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Alta-aurelia High School?

Alta-aurelia High School has an enrollment of approximately 199 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alta-aurelia High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Alta-aurelia 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 Alta-aurelia High School rank in IA?

Alta-aurelia High School ranks #547 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Alta-aurelia High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Alta-aurelia High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alta-aurelia High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Alta-aurelia High School has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Alta-aurelia High School a charter school?

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

Is Alta-aurelia High School a Title I school?

No, Alta-aurelia High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alta-aurelia High School?

39.7% of students at Alta-aurelia 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
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Buena Vista County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.1%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

District

Alta-Aurelia Comm School District
District Enrollment
822
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,724
District Rank
#4 of 4

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