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Average

#554 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 43% in state

Chariton High School

High School · Chariton Comm School District

501 N Grand, Chariton, IA 50049

Enrollment

375

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chariton

#1 of 4

public schools

Iowa high schools

#105 of 334

In district

#1 of 4

Chariton Comm School District

School environment

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Chariton High School

Chariton High School is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Chariton, Iowa. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 375 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Chariton High School is rated at 4.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 26th percentile among Iowa schools.

In terms of proficiency rates, 71% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 61% in math, and 72% in science. Chariton High School offers a supportive learning environment with a focus on student development, though there is room for academic growth to improve overall test scores. The school’s setting in a remote rural area provides students with unique opportunities to connect closely with their community while also fostering strong social bonds among peers and teachers.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Chariton 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 Progress5.0Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.4Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71%
Math vs. State Avg-7.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.1 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,098

Chariton High School — Students at Chariton High School score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.0%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 71.2%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 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
57%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
73%
2022
Math
59%
ELA
71%
2025
Math
64.3%
ELA
68.7%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Chariton High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
57th percentile in IA
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

501 N Grand, Chariton, IA 50049

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chariton High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wayne Community Jr-Sr High School (rated 8.1/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Corydon), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southeast Warren Jr-Sr High School (rated 7.1/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Liberty Center), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Melcher-Dallas High School (rated 6.8/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Melcher), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chariton, see our Chariton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Van Allen Elementary School Chariton 0.3 mi 6.4
Columbus Elementary School Chariton 0.5 mi 6.4
Chariton Middle School Chariton 0.8 mi 6.6
Southeast Warren Intermediate Lacona 12.7 mi 7.8
Melcher-Dallas High School Melcher 14.4 mi 6.8
Melcher-Dallas Elementary Dallas 15.3 mi 7.2
Mormon Trail Elementary School Humeston 15.2 mi 7.8
Mormon Trail Jr-Sr High School Humeston 15.2 mi 4.6
Wayne Community Jr-Sr High School Corydon 18.1 mi 8.1
Southeast Warren Jr-Sr High School Liberty Center 16.1 mi 7.1
Wayne Elementary School Corydon 18.6 mi 5.9
Southeast Warren Primary Milo 20.0 mi 8.1
Knoxville High School Knoxville 22.7 mi 4.5
Knoxville Middle School Knoxville 22.7 mi 7.4
West Elementary Knoxville 22.8 mi 5.4
Pleasantville High School Pleasantville 25.5 mi 6.3
Pleasantville Middle School Pleasantville 25.5 mi 5.8
Pleasantville Elementary Pleasantville 25.6 mi 6.3
Northstar Elementary School Knoxville 23.9 mi 6.5
Seymour Elementary School Seymour 25.5 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50049 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,750

Median Home Value

$123,700

Median Rent

$731/mo

Population

6,425

College Educated

15.8%

Homeownership

76.6%

Avg Commute

17.6 min

Poverty Rate

17.5%

Median Age

40.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Chariton High School has a median household income of $66,750. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,700, with a median rent of $731/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Jr-Sr High School Brooklyn, IA 6.6
Sioux Center High School Sioux Center, IA 6.6
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo, IA 6.5
Central City High School Central City, IA 6.5
South O'Brien Secondary School Paullina, IA 6.5
East Union Middle-High School Afton, IA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chariton High School

What grades does Chariton High School serve?

Chariton High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Chariton High School?

Chariton High School has an enrollment of approximately 375 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chariton High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Chariton High School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chariton High School rank in IA?

Chariton High School is ranked #554 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Chariton High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chariton High School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Chariton High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chariton High School has 61.0% math proficiency and 71.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Chariton High School a charter school?

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

Is Chariton High School a Title I school?

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

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

51.7% of students at Chariton 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
Elevated (910/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Lucas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chariton Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,298
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,128
District Rank
#1 of 4

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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