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Very Good

#309 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 24% in state

Clear Lake High School

High School · Clear Lake Comm School District

125 N 20th St, Clear Lake, IA 50428

Enrollment

458

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Clear Lake

#2 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#53 of 334

In district

#2 of 3

Clear Lake Comm School District

Academic growth

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Clear Lake High School

Clear Lake High School is a regular public high school located in Clear Lake, Iowa, nestled in Cerro Gordo County. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 458 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, indicating that each teacher can focus on a relatively small number of students. With 31 full-time equivalent teachers, Clear Lake High School aims to provide personalized attention and support to its students.

Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks 435th among all high schools in Iowa, placing it around the 66th percentile statewide. Students show proficiency rates above average in English Language Arts (83%) and Science (82%), with Math scoring slightly lower at 72%. These results suggest that while there is room for improvement in math performance, Clear Lake High School excels in other core subjects.

Clear Lake High School is situated in a remote town setting, offering students a close-knit community environment. The school's location fosters strong connections between the school and local families, creating a supportive atmosphere for learning and personal growth.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.7Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84%
Math vs. State Avg-0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.9 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected+3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,976

Clear Lake High School — Students at Clear Lake High School score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.2%
School
State
70.7%
ELA Proficiency 85.6%
School
State
73.8%

Based on 17 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
72%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
61%
ELA
80%
2022
Math
66%
ELA
84%
2025
Math
85.3%
ELA
86.8%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Clear Lake High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
76th percentile in IA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

125 N 20th St, Clear Lake, IA 50428

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Clear Lake High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School (rated 7.4/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Garner), with a very similar rating. Another option is Alternative School (rated 6.1/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Mason City), a more accessible option. Additionally, Central Springs High School (rated 6.0/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Manly), a more accessible option. For more schools in Clear Lake, see our Clear Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Clear Lake Middle School Clear Lake 0.1 mi 6.7
Clear Creek Elementary School Clear Lake 0.8 mi 8.3
NEWMAN CATHOLIC Mason City 6.5 mi 5.4
NEWMAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mason City 6.6 mi 6.0
Hoover Elementary School Mason City 7.5 mi 7.0
Mason City Virtual Academy Mason City 8.5 mi 3.8
Lincoln Intermediate Mason City 8.5 mi 7.6
Roosevelt Elementary School Mason City 8.6 mi 8.4
NORTH IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mason City 9.0 mi 5.6
Harding Elementary School Mason City 9.4 mi 9.3
Jefferson Elementary School Mason City 9.7 mi 9.2
John Adams Middle School Mason City 10.0 mi 6.5
Mason City High School Mason City 10.1 mi 4.4
Alternative School Mason City 10.1 mi 6.1
Central Springs Elementary Manly Campus Manly 13.2 mi 7.6
Central Springs High School Manly 13.2 mi 6.0
West Fork Elementary at Rockwell Rockwell 14.0 mi 5.7
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School Garner 12.7 mi 7.4
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Elementary School Garner 12.7 mi 7.8
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Middle School Garner 12.7 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50428 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,932

Median Home Value

$253,900

Median Rent

$769/mo

Population

9,093

College Educated

32.3%

Homeownership

76.3%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Poverty Rate

6.3%

Median Age

50.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Clear Lake High School has a median household income of $72,932. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $253,900, with a median rent of $769/month. The local poverty rate of 6.3% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Belmond-Klemme Community Jr-Sr High School Belmond, IA 7.3
Grinnell Community Senior High School Grinnell, IA 7.2
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School Garner, IA 7.4
Sheldon High School Sheldon, IA 7.4
Van Meter High School Van Meter, IA 7.4
Colfax-Mingo Jr/Sr High School Colfax, IA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Clear Lake High School

What grades does Clear Lake High School serve?

Clear Lake High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Clear Lake High School?

Clear Lake High School has an enrollment of approximately 458 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Clear Lake High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Clear Lake High School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Clear Lake High School rank in IA?

Clear Lake High School is ranked #309 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Clear Lake High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Clear Lake High School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Clear Lake High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clear Lake High School has 78.2% math proficiency and 85.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Clear Lake High School a charter school?

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

Is Clear Lake High School a Title I school?

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

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

33.6% of students at Clear Lake 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
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,884/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
458
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Cerro Gordo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Clear Lake Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,472
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,979
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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