Needs Improvement
#1242 of 1,280 schools in IA
Baxter High School
High School · Baxter Comm School District
PO BOX 189 202 E State, Baxter, IA 50028
Enrollment
261
Student-Teacher
29:1
Score
3.7
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
261
Student-Teacher
29:1
Score
3.7
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Baxter
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa high schools
#326 of 334
In district
#2 of 2
Baxter Comm School District
About Baxter High School
Baxter High School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Baxter, Iowa. The school serves students from sixth through twelfth grade, making it both a middle and high school under one roof. With an enrollment of 261 students and a student-teacher ratio of 29:1, Baxter High offers personalized attention to help each student succeed.
Baxter High’s academic performance shows room for improvement with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranking in the bottom tenth percentile among Iowa schools. Students perform at around 78% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading, 67% in Math, and 75% in Science. The school is working to enhance these scores while focusing on student development.
Baxter High School sits in a quiet rural setting, offering students a peaceful environment conducive to learning. The surrounding community values the contributions of its school, supporting it as an essential part of local education.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Baxter High School is 29:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Baxter 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Baxter High School — Students at Baxter High School score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 20 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: 2.9/10.
How Baxter High School Compares
See how Baxter High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 58% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 75% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 189 202 E State, Baxter, IA 50028
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Baxter High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Collins-Maxwell Middle/High School (rated 7.7/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Maxwell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Colfax-Mingo Jr/Sr High School (rated 7.1/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Colfax), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Colo-NESCO Middle/High School (rated 6.6/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Colo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Baxter, see our Baxter schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50028 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,982
Median Home Value
$197,400
Median Rent
$697/mo
Population
1,930
College Educated
20.7%
Homeownership
82.8%
Avg Commute
28.2 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
39.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Baxter High School has a median household income of $70,982. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $197,400, with a median rent of $697/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Woodbine High School Woodbine, IA | 3.6 |
| Alburnett Senior High School Alburnett, IA | 4.0 |
| West Marshall High School State Center, IA | 4.0 |
| Tipton High School Tipton, IA | 4.3 |
| PCM High School Monroe, IA | 4.4 |
| Wapsie Valley High School Fairbank, IA | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Baxter High School
What grades does Baxter High School serve?
Baxter High School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Baxter High School?
Baxter High School has an enrollment of approximately 261 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Baxter High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Baxter High School is 29:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Baxter High School rank in IA?
Baxter High School is ranked #1242 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Baxter High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Baxter High School has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Baxter High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Baxter High School has 66.9% math proficiency and 77.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Baxter High School a charter school?
No, Baxter High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Baxter High School a Title I school?
No, Baxter High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Baxter High School?
23.4% of students at Baxter 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
- County Safety
- Low (195/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 261
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 29:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 23.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Jasper County
- Phone
- (641) 227-3103
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Baxter Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 487
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,296
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.