Average
#996 of 1,280 schools in IA
Clarion-goldfield-dows High School
High School · Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Comm School District
1111 Willow Dr, Clarion, IA 50525
Enrollment
298
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
298
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clarion
#3 of 3
public schools
Iowa high schools
#243 of 334
In district
#3 of 3
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Comm School District
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Clarion-goldfield-dows High School
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School is a regular public high school located in the rural setting of Clarion, Iowa. With an enrollment of 298 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, the school benefits from a relatively small class size that allows for more personalized attention. The dedicated faculty of 22 full-time equivalent teachers focuses on supporting each student's individual needs.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School has an overall MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and is ranked 1166th out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it in the 10th percentile statewide. Students perform well above average in ELA/Reading with 71% proficient or above, while math proficiency stands at 63% and science proficiency is 66%. The school’s academic scores indicate room for growth but also highlight areas where students are excelling.
Set amidst a remote rural area, the community surrounding Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School offers a close-knit environment that fosters strong connections between students, teachers, and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Clarion-goldfield-dows 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 metricsView breakdown
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Clarion-goldfield-dows High School — Students at Clarion-goldfield-dows High School score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.1/10.
How Clarion-goldfield-dows High School Compares
See how Clarion-goldfield-dows High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74.5% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 84.5% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
1111 Willow Dr, Clarion, IA 50525
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Clarion-goldfield-dows High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West Hancock High School (rated 8.3/10, 25.1 miles away, in nearby Britt), which scores notably higher. Another option is Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School (rated 7.4/10, 25.0 miles away, in nearby Garner), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Belmond-Klemme Community Jr-Sr High School (rated 7.3/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Belmond), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Clarion, see our Clarion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 25.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50525 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,875
Median Home Value
$117,300
Median Rent
$763/mo
Population
3,196
College Educated
25.1%
Homeownership
69%
Poverty Rate
13%
Median Age
45.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Clarion-goldfield-dows High School has a median household income of $59,875. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $117,300, with a median rent of $763/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Middle School/High School Elkader, IA | 5.3 |
| Easton Valley Junior High / High School Preston, IA | 5.3 |
| North Mahaska Jr-Sr High School New Sharon, IA | 5.3 |
| North Tama High School Traer, IA | 5.3 |
| Iowa Valley Jr-Sr High School Marengo, IA | 5.2 |
| Monticello High School Monticello, IA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Clarion-goldfield-dows High School
What grades does Clarion-goldfield-dows High School serve?
Clarion-goldfield-dows High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Clarion-goldfield-dows High School?
Clarion-goldfield-dows High School has an enrollment of approximately 298 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Clarion-goldfield-dows High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Clarion-goldfield-dows High School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Clarion-goldfield-dows High School rank in IA?
Clarion-goldfield-dows High School is ranked #996 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Clarion-goldfield-dows High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Clarion-goldfield-dows High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Clarion-goldfield-dows High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clarion-goldfield-dows High School has 62.6% math proficiency and 71.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Clarion-goldfield-dows High School a charter school?
No, Clarion-goldfield-dows High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Clarion-goldfield-dows High School a Title I school?
No, Clarion-goldfield-dows High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clarion-goldfield-dows High School?
48.3% of students at Clarion-goldfield-dows 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (661/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Clarion). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 298
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Wright County
- Phone
- (515) 532-2895
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,010
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,007
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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 methodologyRelated reading
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