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Average

#736 of 1,280 schools in IA

Central Lee High School

High School · Central Lee Comm School District

2642 Highway 218, Donnellson, IA 52625

Enrollment

318

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Donnellson

#1 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#151 of 334

In district

#1 of 3

Central Lee Comm School District

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Central Lee High School

Central Lee High School is a regular public high school located in Donnellson, Iowa. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 318 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1 with 24 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Central Lee High School stands out for its strong performance in science, where 89% of students are proficient or above.

Additionally, 82% of students meet or exceed proficiency levels in ELA/reading, while 71% do the same in math. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.5 out of 10, placing it at the 52nd percentile among Iowa schools based on state rankings. While there is room for improvement in certain areas, Central Lee High School continues to focus on student development and academic growth across its diverse range of programs.

Central Lee High School is situated in a rural setting in Lee County, providing students with a close-knit community feel that fosters strong relationships between teachers and students.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Central Lee 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 Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65%
Reading/ELA Proficiency78%
Math vs. State Avg-1.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.9 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College Readiness4.2Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.1Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,698

Central Lee High School — Students at Central Lee High School score 72% 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

35.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.1%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 82.1%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
64%
ELA
79%
2022
Math
65%
ELA
78%
2025
Math
75.1%
ELA
86.2%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Central Lee High School Compares

See how Central Lee High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
43th percentile in IA
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

2642 Highway 218, Donnellson, IA 52625

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Lee High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Warsaw Sr High School (rated 6.0/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Warsaw), with a very similar rating. Another option is Keokuk High School (rated 4.9/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Keokuk), a more accessible option. Additionally, Fort Madison High School (rated 4.5/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Fort Madison), a more accessible option. For more schools in Donnellson, see our Donnellson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Lee Middle School Donnellson 0.2 mi 5.2
Central Lee Elementary School Donnellson 0.2 mi 5.8
STS PETER & PAUL Nauvoo 7.2 mi 4.5
HOLY TRINITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Point 10.1 mi 5.7
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY West Point 10.1 mi 6.9
Fort Madison Middle School Fort Madison 8.7 mi 4.9
Richardson Elementary School Fort Madison 9.2 mi 3.6
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Fort Madison 10.1 mi 6.6
Fort Madison High School Fort Madison 10.5 mi 4.5
KEOKUK CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Keokuk 12.4 mi 7.0
Hawthorne Elementary School Keokuk 12.6 mi 7.6
Lincoln Elementary School Fort Madison 11.0 mi 2.7
Keokuk High School Keokuk 13.1 mi 4.9
KEOKUK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Keokuk 13.6 mi 5.5
Keokuk Middle School Keokuk 13.2 mi 7.4
Torrence Elementary Keokuk 13.5 mi 5.5
Nauvoo Elem School Nauvoo 11.2 mi 7.3
George Washington Elementary School Keokuk 14.1 mi 7.1
RUNNING FOX ELEM. Alexandria 15.2 mi 4.9
Warsaw Sr High School Warsaw 16.1 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52625 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,224

Median Home Value

$201,100

Median Rent

$753/mo

Population

2,303

College Educated

27.2%

Homeownership

86.5%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Median Age

43.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Lee High School has a median household income of $78,224. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $201,100, with a median rent of $753/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
BURLINGTON NOTRE DAME JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Burlington, IA 6.1
Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High School Belle Plaine, IA 6.1
Calamus-Wheatland Sec Attendance Center Wheatland, IA 6.1
Greene County High School Jefferson, IA 6.1
IKM-Manning High School Manning, IA 6.1
MMCRU High School Marcus, IA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Lee High School

What grades does Central Lee High School serve?

Central Lee High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Central Lee High School?

Central Lee High School has an enrollment of approximately 318 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Lee High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Lee High School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Lee High School rank in IA?

Central Lee High School is ranked #736 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Central Lee High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Lee High School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Central Lee High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Lee High School has 71.1% math proficiency and 82.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Lee High School a charter school?

No, Central Lee High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Lee High School a Title I school?

No, Central Lee High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Lee High School?

35.2% of students at Central Lee 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 →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (247/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
318
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Central Lee Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,270
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,176
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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