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Average

#778 of 1,280 schools in IA

Central Lyon Secondary School

High School · Central Lyon Comm School District

1010 S Greene St, Rock Rapids, IA 51246

Enrollment

364

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

6.0

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rock Rapids

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa high schools

#169 of 334

In district

#2 of 2

Central Lyon Comm School District

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Central Lyon Secondary School

Central Lyon Secondary School serves 364 students in grades 7-12 in Rock Rapids, Iowa, delivering strong academic results in a rural setting. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio that supports personalized attention. The school demonstrates impressive academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranking 95th among Iowa's 1,288 schools, placing it in the 93rd percentile statewide.

Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 85% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 80% reach proficiency in Mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective instruction. Central Lyon Secondary School serves a stable rural community where the median household income is $70,625 and median home values reach $221,600.

The area maintains a very low poverty rate of just 2.0%, with 21% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. This economic stability creates a supportive environment for education. The school operates as a regular public institution in Lyon County, providing comprehensive secondary education to students across multiple grade levels.

Located in the heart of Rock Rapids, Central Lyon Secondary School anchors this close-knit rural community of approximately 4,000 residents.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Central Lyon Secondary 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 Progress6.1Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80%
Reading/ELA Proficiency85%
Math vs. State Avg+7.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.2 pts
Overall Proficiency83%
Expected (poverty-adj.)77%
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College Readiness3.7Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation4.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,099

Central Lyon Secondary School — Students at Central Lyon Secondary School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.9%
School
State
69.9%
ELA Proficiency 87.8%
School
State
75.9%

Based on 18 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
80%
ELA
85%
2025
Math
82.8%
ELA
90.1%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Central Lyon Secondary School Compares

See how Central Lyon Secondary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
39th percentile in IA
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

1010 S Greene St, Rock Rapids, IA 51246

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Lyon Secondary School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HILLS-BEAVER CREEK SECONDARY (rated 7.3/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Hills), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rock Valley High School (rated 7.1/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Rock Valley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Boyden-Hull High School (rated 6.4/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Hull), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rock Rapids, see our Rock Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Lyon Elementary School Rock Rapids 0.1 mi 8.3
ALPHA OMEGA ACADEMY Rock Rapids 1.1 mi 2.4
NORTHWEST IOWA PROTESTANT REFORMED SCHOOL Doon 10.1 mi
ELLSWORTH ELEMENTARY Ellsworth 10.0 mi 5.5
ELLSWORTH SECONDARY Ellsworth 10.0 mi 4.9
George-Little Rock Senior High School George 10.4 mi 5.6
George-Little Rock Middle School George 10.4 mi 8.0
HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hills 11.8 mi
HILLS-BEAVER CREEK SECONDARY Hills 12.4 mi 7.3
TRINITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hull 15.6 mi 5.3
WESTERN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hull 15.8 mi 6.1
HULL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hull 15.8 mi 5.6
HULL PROTESTANT REFORMED CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hull 16.1 mi 3.8
Boyden-Hull High School Hull 16.1 mi 6.4
SOUTHWESTERN YOUTH SERVICES Magnolia 16.1 mi
Rock Valley Elementary School Rock Valley 15.8 mi 6.7
Rock Valley High School Rock Valley 15.8 mi 7.1
Rock Valley Middle School Rock Valley 15.8 mi 5.5
LUVERNE ELEMENTARY Luverne 16.8 mi 8.4
LUVERNE SENIOR HIGH Luverne 16.8 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51246 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,320

Median Home Value

$232,900

Median Rent

$773/mo

Population

4,075

College Educated

21.4%

Homeownership

80.1%

Avg Commute

11.8 min

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

38.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Lyon Secondary School has a median household income of $69,320. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $232,900, with a median rent of $773/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 12 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
Cascade Junior-Senior High School Cascade, IA 6.0
Central Springs High School Manly, IA 6.0
Lisbon Secondary Lisbon, IA 6.0
Louisa-Muscatine JR/SR High School Letts, IA 6.0
New Hampton High School New Hampton, IA 6.0
Osage High School Osage, IA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Lyon Secondary School

What grades does Central Lyon Secondary School serve?

Central Lyon Secondary School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Central Lyon Secondary School?

Central Lyon Secondary School has an enrollment of approximately 364 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Lyon Secondary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Lyon Secondary School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Lyon Secondary School rank in IA?

Central Lyon Secondary School is ranked #778 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Central Lyon Secondary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Lyon Secondary School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Lyon Secondary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Lyon Secondary School has 81.9% math proficiency and 87.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Lyon Secondary School a charter school?

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

Is Central Lyon Secondary School a Title I school?

No, Central Lyon Secondary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Lyon Secondary School?

23.9% of students at Central Lyon Secondary 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 (157/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lyon County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Central Lyon Comm School District
District Enrollment
794
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,492
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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