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Average

#631 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 49% in state

Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School

High School · Belle Plaine Comm School District

610 13th Ave South, Belle Plaine, IA 52208

Enrollment

203

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

6.5

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Belle Plaine

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa high schools

#138 of 334

In district

#2 of 2

Belle Plaine Comm School District

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School

Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High School is a rural public school located in Belle Plaine, Iowa. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 203 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.7:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance shows that 76% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 69% in Math, and 66% in Science.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #517 among 1288 schools in Iowa (placing it at the 60th percentile), Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High School is focusing on student development with room for academic growth. Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High School is situated in a close-knit rural community where students benefit from personalized attention and small class sizes. The school's setting offers a supportive environment that nurtures individual talents and fosters strong connections between students, teachers, and the broader community.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Belle Plaine Jr/sr 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 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.38 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.2Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.7%
Math vs. State Avg-4.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.9 pts
Overall Proficiency73%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness4.9Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%
AP Participation2.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,919
Chronic Absenteeism27.1%

Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School — Students at Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 74.1%
School
State
69.9%
ELA Proficiency 74.2%
School
State
75.9%

Based on 40 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
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
68.4%
ELA
76.7%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School Compares

See how Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
51th percentile in IA
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average
Sports
15
7 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year
27.1%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics15sports offered
7 boys'·8 girls'·14 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2020-21
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2020-21
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

610 13th Ave South, Belle Plaine, IA 52208

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Jr-Sr High School (rated 8.6/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Brooklyn), which scores notably higher. Another option is Williamsburg Jr-Sr High School (rated 8.0/10, 20.3 miles away, in nearby Williamsburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Iowa Valley Jr-Sr High School (rated 7.0/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Marengo), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Belle Plaine, see our Belle Plaine schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Longfellow Elementary School Belle Plaine 0.4 mi 7.2
Keystone Elementary School Keystone 8.6 mi 4.9
H-L-V Junior-Senior High School Victor 11.2 mi 6.8
H-L-V Elementary School Victor 11.2 mi 5.9
Iowa Valley Elementary School Marengo 11.9 mi 6.8
Benton Community Senior High School Van Horne 12.6 mi 5.5
Benton Community Middle School Van Horne 12.6 mi 6.6
Iowa Valley Jr-Sr High School Marengo 12.2 mi 7.0
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Elementary School Brooklyn 13.9 mi 8.6
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Jr-Sr High School Brooklyn 13.9 mi 8.6
Union Middle School Dysart 19.4 mi 8.5
Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School Dysart 19.5 mi 9.2
South Tama County Middle School Toledo 17.3 mi 6.8
South Tama County High School Tama 17.2 mi 5.1
South Tama County Elementary School Tama 17.4 mi 6.0
Mary Welsh Elementary Williamsburg 20.1 mi 7.3
Williamsburg Jr-Sr High School Williamsburg 20.3 mi 8.0
Williamsburg Virtual Academy Williamsburg 20.3 mi
Norway Elementary School Norway 17.6 mi 6.5
LUTHERAN INTERPARISH SCHOOL Williamsburg 20.9 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,336

Median Home Value

$119,700

Median Rent

$773/mo

Population

2,921

College Educated

17.1%

Homeownership

79.2%

Avg Commute

24.5 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

49.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School has a median household income of $71,336. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $119,700, with a median rent of $773/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% 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
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo, IA 6.5
East Buchanan High School Winthrop, IA 6.5
Maple Valley-Anthon Oto High School Mapleton, IA 6.5
Pleasantville High School Pleasantville, IA 6.5
Columbus Community High School Columbus Junction, IA 6.4
Nodaway Valley High School Greenfield, IA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School

What grades does Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School serve?

Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School?

Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School has an enrollment of approximately 203 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School rank in IA?

Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School is ranked #631 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School has 74.1% math proficiency and 74.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School a charter school?

No, Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School a Title I school?

No, Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Belle Plaine Jr/sr High School?

43.3% of students at Belle Plaine Jr/sr 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
203
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Benton County
Chronic Absenteeism
27.1%
4-Year Graduation
95.0%
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Belle Plaine Comm School District
District Enrollment
490
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,919
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 methodology

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