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Average

#575 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 45% in state

Ballard High School

High School · Ballard Comm School District

701 Ballard Drive, Huxley, IA 50124

Enrollment

553

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#575 of 1,280

In Huxley

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Ballard Comm School District

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Ballard High School

6.7/10

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

Ballard Middle School

8.4/10

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

Ballard West Elementary

8.2/10

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

About Ballard High School

Ballard High School is a public high school in Huxley, IA, part of Ballard Comm School District. Ballard High School serves approximately 553 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Ballard High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #575 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Ballard High School show 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above IA schools
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Ballard 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 Progress8.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.1% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency81.5% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+14.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.4 pts
Overall Proficiency81% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)87% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness6.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation15%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,339
Chronic Absenteeism23.1%

Ballard High School — Students at Ballard High School score 81% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 87%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 79.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 83.0% (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
72%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2020*
Math
71%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
71%
ELA
78%
2022
Math
76%
ELA
83%
2025
Math
81.1%
ELA
81.5%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Ballard High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
55th percentile in IA
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
8.5/10
Excellent
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
AP Courses
2
State avg: 1.7
Sports
18
9 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
15% participation·State avg: 1.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics18sports offered
9 boys'·9 girls'·29 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

701 Ballard Drive, Huxley, IA 50124

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ballard High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. North Polk High School (rated 6.3/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Alleman), with a comparable rating. Another option is Ankeny Centennial High School (rated 5.5/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Ankeny), a more accessible option. Additionally, Ames High School (rated 5.2/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Ames), a more accessible option. For more schools in Huxley, see our Huxley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Ballard Middle School Huxley 0.5 mi 8.4
Ballard West Elementary Slater 3.3 mi 8.2
Ballard East Elementary Cambridge 3.7 mi 8.3
North Polk Middle School Alleman 5.7 mi 7.5
North Polk Central Elementary School Alleman 5.8 mi 8.4
North Polk High School Alleman 5.9 mi 6.3
Mitchell Elementary School Ames 6.2 mi 6.3
AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames 7.5 mi 6.5
Ames Middle School Ames 8.3 mi 5.7
Edwards Elementary School Ames 8.7 mi 6.2
Rock Creek Elementary Ankeny 9.6 mi 5.2
Meeker Elementary School Ames 9.6 mi 5.6
Ames High School Ames 9.7 mi 5.2
Fellows Elementary School Ames 9.8 mi 6.3
Sawyer Elementary School Ames 9.7 mi 5.5
Ashland Ridge Elementary Ankeny 10.2 mi 7.1
Big Creek Elementary Polk City 9.4 mi 7.6
Northwood Pre-School Ames 10.3 mi 4.3
ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames 10.3 mi 7.2
Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny 10.4 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50124 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$122,974

Median Home Value

$299,900

Median Rent

$1,260/mo

Population

4,730

College Educated

58.3%

Homeownership

84.2%

Avg Commute

24.5 min

Poverty Rate

3.1%

Median Age

34.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bellevue High School Bellevue, IA 6.7
Central Lyon Secondary School Rock Rapids, IA 6.7
Clarinda High School Clarinda, IA 6.7
East Sac County High School Lake View, IA 6.7
New Hampton High School New Hampton, IA 6.8
Le Mars High School Le Mars, IA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ballard High School

What grades does Ballard High School serve?

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

How many students attend Ballard High School?

Ballard High School has an enrollment of approximately 553 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Ballard High School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ballard High School rank in IA?

Ballard High School ranks #575 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Ballard High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ballard High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Ballard High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ballard High School has 80% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Ballard High School a charter school?

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

Is Ballard High School a Title I school?

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

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

14.8% of students at Ballard 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
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
553
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Story County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.1%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

Ballard Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,960
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,339
District Rank
#4 of 4

How we rate schools

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