Average
#467 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 36% in state
Cardinal High School
High School · Cardinal Comm School District
4045 Ashland Rd, Eldon, IA 52554
Enrollment
277
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
277
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Eldon
#1 of 3
public schools
Iowa high schools
#86 of 334
In district
#1 of 3
Cardinal Comm School District
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Cardinal High School
Cardinal High School is a regular public high school located in Eldon, Iowa, in Wapello County. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 277 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, Cardinal High provides a personalized educational experience for its students.
There are 22 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic growth of each student. Cardinal High School’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.0 out of 10, placing it at #1018 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (21st percentile). Academically, Cardinal High has room for improvement, with proficiency rates of 66% in ELA/Reading and 75% in Science, but only 48% in Math.
Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and growth. Cardinal High School is situated in a rural setting, offering students a peaceful environment away from urban distractions. The community around Eldon is tight-knit, providing a supportive backdrop for learning and personal development.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Cardinal High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Cardinal 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
Cardinal High School — Students at Cardinal High School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Cardinal High School Compares
See how Cardinal High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 54.5% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
4045 Ashland Rd, Eldon, IA 52554
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cardinal High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School (rated 6.7/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Packwood), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ottumwa High School (rated 4.3/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Ottumwa), a more accessible option. For more schools in Eldon, see our Eldon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cardinal Junior High Eldon | 0.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Cardinal Elementary Eldon | 0.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Ottumwa Virtual Learning Ottumwa | 9.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa | 9.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Ottumwa High School Ottumwa | 9.5 mi | 4.3 |
| SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ottumwa | 9.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Horace Mann Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Douma Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center Keosauqua | 11.7 mi | 7.5 |
| James Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Gateway High School Ottumwa | 10.7 mi | — |
| Eisenhower Elementary School Ottumwa | 11.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Evans Middle School Ottumwa | 10.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Liberty Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.7 mi | 2.8 |
| Pickwick Early Childhood Center Ottumwa | 10.9 mi | 2.9 |
| PEKIN CHILD CARE CENTER Packwood | 14.0 mi | — |
| Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School Packwood | 14.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Pekin Elementary School Packwood | 14.0 mi | 7.5 |
| OTTUMWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ottumwa | 11.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Davis County Elementary Bloomfield | 16.8 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52554 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,458
Median Home Value
$94,400
Median Rent
$650/mo
Population
1,221
College Educated
9.4%
Homeownership
85.3%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
14.1%
Median Age
46.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cardinal High School has a median household income of $56,458. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $94,400, with a median rent of $650/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Central Decatur MS/HS High School Leon, IA | 6.8 |
| Moravia High School Moravia, IA | 6.8 |
| Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids, IA | 6.8 |
| Wapello Senior High School Wapello, IA | 6.8 |
| East Union Middle-High School Afton, IA | 6.7 |
| Mid-Prairie High School Wellman, IA | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cardinal High School
What grades does Cardinal High School serve?
Cardinal High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Cardinal High School?
Cardinal High School has an enrollment of approximately 277 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cardinal High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cardinal High School is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cardinal High School rank in IA?
Cardinal High School is ranked #467 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Cardinal High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardinal High School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Cardinal High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cardinal High School has 48.4% math proficiency and 66.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cardinal High School a charter school?
No, Cardinal High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cardinal High School a Title I school?
No, Cardinal High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cardinal High School?
48.0% of students at Cardinal 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
- Average (335/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 277
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Wapello County
- Phone
- (641) 652-7531
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cardinal Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,107
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,118
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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.