Very Good
#249 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 19% 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
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Alta
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa high schools
#36 of 334
In district
#4 of 4
Alta-Aurelia Comm School District
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Alta-aurelia High School
Alta-Aurelia High School is a regular public high school located in the heart of Alta, Iowa, in Buena Vista County. Situated at 1009 South Main Street, the school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 199 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1. The dedicated teaching staff includes 17 full-time equivalent teachers who work to support each student's academic journey.
Academically, Alta-Aurelia High School ranks in the 70th percentile among Iowa schools and has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. In terms of proficiency rates for core subjects, 71% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 69% excel in Math. Science proficiency stands at 53%.
These scores indicate the school is focusing on student development and has room for academic growth. The setting of Alta-Aurelia High School is in a rural area, offering students a close-knit community feel with plenty of opportunities to engage in local activities and sports.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 199 students, Alta-aurelia High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Alta-aurelia 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 metricsView breakdown
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Alta-aurelia High School — Students at Alta-aurelia High School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.0/10.
How Alta-aurelia High School Compares
See how Alta-aurelia High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 64.5% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 64.5% (2019) to 77% (2022).
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 6.8/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Sioux Rapids), with a comparable rating. Another option is Washington High School (rated 6.1/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), a more accessible option. Additionally, St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS (rated 5.6/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Storm Lake), a more accessible option. For more schools in Alta, see our Alta schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.1 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Alta-aurelia High School has a median household income of $69,375. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $145,300, with a median rent of $918/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Sidney High School Sidney, IA | 7.5 |
| Aplington-Parkersburg High School Parkersburg, IA | 7.4 |
| Clarksville High School Clarksville, IA | 7.4 |
| English Valleys Jr-Sr High School North English, IA | 7.4 |
| Griswold Middle/High School Griswold, IA | 7.4 |
| Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park, IA | 7.4 |
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 is ranked #249 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Alta-aurelia High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Alta-aurelia High School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Alta-aurelia High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alta-aurelia High School has 69.3% math proficiency and 71.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (712) 200-1331
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Alta-Aurelia Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 822
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,724
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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