Average
#903 of 1,280 schools in IA
Ballard High School
High School · Ballard Comm School District
701 Ballard Drive, Huxley, IA 50124
Enrollment
553
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
553
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Huxley
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa high schools
#210 of 334
In district
#3 of 4
Ballard Comm School District
Academic performance
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Ballard High School
Ballard High School is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Huxley, Iowa. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 553 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1 with 35 full-time equivalent teachers. With strong proficiency rates in English Language Arts (ELA) at 82% and Math at 78%, students also perform well above average in Science, with 72% reaching proficiency or higher.
Ballard High School holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10, placing it around the 62nd percentile among Iowa schools. While there is room for academic growth, the school's solid performance highlights its commitment to student development and learning. Situated in a rural setting, Ballard High School benefits from a close-knit community that values education and supports students as they navigate high school and prepare for their futures.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Ballard 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
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Ballard High School — Students at Ballard High School score 80% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
14.8%
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: 5.2/10.
How Ballard High School Compares
See how Ballard High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 77% (2019) to 76% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 83% (2022).
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. Ankeny Centennial High School (rated 6.7/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Ankeny), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Polk High School (rated 6.2/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Alleman), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ames High School (rated 5.9/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Ames), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 7.0 |
| Ballard West Elementary Slater | 3.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Ballard East Elementary Cambridge | 3.7 mi | 5.4 |
| North Polk Middle School Alleman | 5.7 mi | 5.2 |
| North Polk Central Elementary School Alleman | 5.8 mi | 5.7 |
| North Polk High School Alleman | 5.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Mitchell Elementary School Ames | 6.2 mi | 6.7 |
| AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames | 7.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Ames Middle School Ames | 8.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Edwards Elementary School Ames | 8.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Rock Creek Elementary Ankeny | 9.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Meeker Elementary School Ames | 9.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Ames High School Ames | 9.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Fellows Elementary School Ames | 9.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Sawyer Elementary School Ames | 9.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Ashland Ridge Elementary Ankeny | 10.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Big Creek Elementary Polk City | 9.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Northwood Pre-School Ames | 10.3 mi | 4.0 |
| ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames | 10.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny | 10.4 mi | 6.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ballard High School has a median household income of $122,974. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $299,900, with a median rent of $1,260/month. The local poverty rate of 3.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Bellevue High School Bellevue, IA | 5.6 |
| Glenwood Senior High School Glenwood, IA | 5.6 |
| Hampton-Dumont High School Hampton, IA | 5.6 |
| Waverly-Shell Rock Senior High School Waverly, IA | 5.6 |
| BECKMAN CATHOLIC JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Dyersville, IA | 5.5 |
| Durant Junior/Senior High School Durant, IA | 5.5 |
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 is ranked #903 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Ballard High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ballard High School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Ballard High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ballard High School has 77.9% math proficiency and 82.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (611/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Huxley). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (515) 597-2971
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ballard Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,960
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,339
- District Rank
- #3 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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