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Needs Improvement

#1160 of 1,280 schools in IA

Charles City High School

High School · Charles City Comm School District

1 Comet Dr, Charles City, IA 50616

Enrollment

522

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

3.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,160 of 1,280

In Charles City

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Charles City Comm School District

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Charles City High School

3.7/10

High School in Charles City · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Charles City Middle School

5.7/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Lincoln Elementary School

4.4/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Charles City High School

Charles City High School is a public high school in Charles City, IA, part of Charles City Comm School District. Charles City High School serves approximately 522 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Charles City High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,160 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Charles City High School show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.3 pts below IA schools
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • IA avg 6.0

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.32 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.9% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.8% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-7.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency63% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)68% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation12.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,568
Chronic Absenteeism21.5%

Charles City High School — Students at Charles City High School score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 73.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.2% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
58%
2025
Math
58.9%
ELA
67.8%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How Charles City High School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
10th percentile in IA
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.7/10
Below Average
AP Courses
2
State avg: 1.7
Sports
17
8 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
12.6% participation·State avg: 1.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics17sports offered
8 boys'·9 girls'·38 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1 Comet Dr, Charles City, IA 50616

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Charles City High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Clarksville High School (rated 8.0/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Clarksville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Nashua-Plainfield Junior-Senior High School (rated 7.9/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Nashua), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rockford Junior-Senior High School (rated 7.8/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Rockford), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Charles City, see our Charles City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Charles City Middle School Charles City 0.1 mi 5.7
Lincoln Elementary School Charles City 0.5 mi 4.4
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Charles City 0.8 mi 5.6
Washington Elementary School Charles City 1.4 mi 7.4
Nashua-Plainfield Elementary School Nashua 9.6 mi 5.7
Nashua-Plainfield Junior-Senior High School Nashua 9.8 mi 7.9
North Butler Jr/Sr High School Greene 13.3 mi 6.5
Osage High School Osage 16.8 mi 6.2
Osage Middle School Osage 16.8 mi 6.7
Lincoln Elementary School Osage 17.3 mi 6.4
Clarksville Elementary School Clarksville 19.0 mi 6.8
Clarksville High School Clarksville 19.0 mi 8.0
RRMR Elementary School Rockford 13.9 mi 7.5
Rockford Junior-Senior High School Rockford 13.9 mi 7.8
Riceville Elementary School Riceville 20.9 mi 6.8
Riceville High School Riceville 20.9 mi 7.8
New Hampton High School New Hampton 16.6 mi 6.8
New Hampton Middle School New Hampton 16.6 mi 8.6
ST JOSEPH COMMUNITY SCHOOL New Hampton 17.0 mi 7.7
North Butler Elementary Allison 22.4 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50616 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,226

Median Home Value

$135,000

Median Rent

$628/mo

Population

9,419

College Educated

18.7%

Homeownership

71.1%

Avg Commute

16.9 min

Poverty Rate

12.9%

Median Age

45.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Fort Madison High School Fort Madison, IA 3.7
Metro High School Cedar Rapids, IA 3.7
Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo, IA 3.9
West Liberty High School West Liberty, IA 4.0
Okoboji High School Milford, IA 4.1
Clarke Community High School Osceola, IA 3.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Charles City High School

What grades does Charles City High School serve?

Charles City High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Charles City High School?

Charles City High School has an enrollment of approximately 522 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Charles City High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Charles City High School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Charles City High School rank in IA?

Charles City High School ranks #1,160 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Charles City High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Charles City High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Charles City High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Charles City High School has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Charles City High School a charter school?

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

Is Charles City High School a Title I school?

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

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

49.0% of students at Charles City 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

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
522
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Floyd County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.5%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

Charles City Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,473
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,568
District Rank
#4 of 4

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