Very Good
#496 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 39% 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
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
277
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#496 of 1,280
In Eldon
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#2 of 3
Cardinal Comm School District
School environment
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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Cardinal High School
High School in Eldon · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cardinal Junior High
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Cardinal Elementary
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cardinal High School
Cardinal High School is a public high school in Eldon, IA, part of Cardinal Comm School District. Cardinal High School serves approximately 277 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Cardinal High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #496 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Cardinal High School show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.0 · Very Good
- IA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
Cardinal 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 metricsView breakdown
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Cardinal High School — Students at Cardinal High School score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
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 35 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: 5.3/10.
How Cardinal High School Compares
See how Cardinal High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 6.4/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Packwood), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Ottumwa High School (rated 3.7/10, 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 | 7.7 |
| Cardinal Elementary Eldon | 0.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Ottumwa Virtual Learning Ottumwa | 9.3 mi | 1.6 |
| Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa | 9.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Ottumwa High School Ottumwa | 9.5 mi | 3.7 |
| SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ottumwa | 9.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Horace Mann Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Douma Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center Keosauqua | 11.7 mi | 6.5 |
| James Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Gateway High School Ottumwa | 10.7 mi | — |
| Eisenhower Elementary School Ottumwa | 11.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Evans Middle School Ottumwa | 10.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Liberty Elementary School Ottumwa | 10.7 mi | 3.2 |
| Pickwick Early Childhood Center Ottumwa | 10.9 mi | 2.6 |
| PEKIN CHILD CARE CENTER Packwood | 14.0 mi | — |
| Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School Packwood | 14.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Pekin Elementary School Packwood | 14.0 mi | 5.5 |
| OTTUMWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ottumwa | 11.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Davis County Elementary Bloomfield | 16.8 mi | 5.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Albia High School Albia, IA | 7.0 |
| Sibley-Ocheyedan High School Sibley, IA | 7.0 |
| South Hamilton Middle And High School Jewell, IA | 7.0 |
| Central Springs High School Manly, IA | 6.9 |
| Hudson High School Hudson, IA | 7.1 |
| Lawton-Bronson Junior-Senior High School Lawton, IA | 6.9 |
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 ranks #496 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Cardinal High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardinal High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Cardinal High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cardinal High School has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.3%
- Phone
- (641) 652-7531
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95%+
Resources & Links
District
Cardinal Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,107
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,118
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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