Skip to main content

Average

#970 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

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Charles City

#4 of 4

public schools

Iowa high schools

#235 of 334

In district

#4 of 4

Charles City Comm School District

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Charles City High School

Charles City High School is a regular public high school located in Charles City, Iowa, within Floyd County. The school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade with an enrollment of 522 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1. With 31 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide individualized attention to its students.

Charles City High School has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks at #1106 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it in the 14th percentile. The academic performance scores are lower, with an overall score of 2.3 out of 10, but there is room for improvement as students show proficiency rates of 64% in ELA/Reading, 54% in Math, and 56% in Science. The setting is quite rural, situated in a remote town where the school plays a central role in the community.

Charles City High School provides an environment that fosters growth and development for its students amidst a close-knit neighborhood.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Charles City High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.44 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.2Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58%
Math vs. State Avg-19.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.1 pts
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected-10.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness5.2Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,134

Charles City High School — Students at Charles City High School score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

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 53.8%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 64.3%
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
52%
ELA
57%
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: 8.2/10.

How Charles City High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
24th percentile in IA
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

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. North Butler Jr/Sr High School (rated 8.0/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Greene), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clarksville High School (rated 7.4/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Clarksville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riceville High School (rated 7.3/10, 20.9 miles away, in nearby Riceville), 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 7.7
Lincoln Elementary School Charles City 0.5 mi 6.7
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Charles City 0.8 mi 5.6
Washington Elementary School Charles City 1.4 mi 8.0
Nashua-Plainfield Elementary School Nashua 9.6 mi 5.6
Nashua-Plainfield Junior-Senior High School Nashua 9.8 mi 6.7
North Butler Jr/Sr High School Greene 13.3 mi 8.0
Osage High School Osage 16.8 mi 6.0
Osage Middle School Osage 16.8 mi 6.8
Lincoln Elementary School Osage 17.3 mi 7.2
Clarksville Elementary School Clarksville 19.0 mi 5.7
Clarksville High School Clarksville 19.0 mi 7.4
RRMR Elementary School Rockford 13.9 mi 5.5
Rockford Junior-Senior High School Rockford 13.9 mi 6.5
Riceville Elementary School Riceville 20.9 mi 8.0
Riceville High School Riceville 20.9 mi 7.3
New Hampton High School New Hampton 16.6 mi 6.0
New Hampton Middle School New Hampton 16.6 mi 7.8
ST JOSEPH COMMUNITY SCHOOL New Hampton 17.0 mi 7.7
North Butler Elementary Allison 22.4 mi 7.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Charles City High School has a median household income of $63,226. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $135,000, with a median rent of $628/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Maquoketa Community High School Maquoketa, IA 5.4
BECKMAN CATHOLIC JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Dyersville, IA 5.5
Durant Junior/Senior High School Durant, IA 5.5
Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo, IA 5.5
Hinton High School Hinton, IA 5.5
Iowa Falls - Alden High School Iowa Falls, IA 5.5

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 is ranked #970 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Charles City High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Charles City High School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Charles City High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Charles City High School has 53.8% math proficiency and 64.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
Elevated (1,156/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Charles City). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.