Needs Improvement
#1272 of 1,280 schools in IA
Alternative School
High School · Mason City Comm School District
19 N. Illinois Ave., Mason City, IA 50401
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
2.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
2.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,272 of 1,280
In Mason City
#9 of 9
public schools
In district
#9 of 9
Mason City Comm School District
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Alternative School
High School in Mason City · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mason City High School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
John Adams Middle School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Alternative School
Alternative School is a public high school in Mason City, IA, part of Mason City Comm School District. Alternative School serves approximately 92 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Alternative School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,272 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Alternative School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 2.2 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 2.8
- IA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
At 92 students, Alternative 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.
86% of students at Alternative School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Alternative School — Students at Alternative School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 33 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.3/10.
How Alternative School Compares
See how Alternative School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
19 N. Illinois Ave., Mason City, IA 50401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Alternative School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Clear Lake High School (rated 8.8/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Clear Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Springs High School (rated 6.9/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Manly), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mason City High School (rated 3.7/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mason City, see our Mason City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,807
Median Home Value
$134,100
Median Rent
$868/mo
Population
28,818
College Educated
21.9%
Homeownership
68.2%
Avg Commute
13.9 min
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
42.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Mason City Virtual Academy Mason City, IA | 2.4 |
| Marshalltown Virtual Academy Marshalltown, IA | 1.6 |
| Woodward Academy Woodward, IA | 3.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Alternative School
What grades does Alternative School serve?
Alternative School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Alternative School?
Alternative School has an enrollment of approximately 92 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Alternative School?
The student-teacher ratio at Alternative School is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Alternative School rank in IA?
Alternative School ranks #1,272 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Alternative School's MySchoolScout rating?
Alternative School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 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 Alternative School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Alternative School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Alternative School a charter school?
No, Alternative School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Alternative School a Title I school?
No, Alternative School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alternative School?
63.0% of students at Alternative 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.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 92
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.0%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Cerro Gordo County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 85.9%
- Phone
- (641) 421-4426
- 4-Year Graduation
- 54.5%
Resources & Links
District
Mason City Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 3,509
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,155
- District Rank
- #9 of 9
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