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Very Good

#195 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 15% in state

Collins-maxwell Middle/high School

High School · Collins-Maxwell Comm School District

400 Metcalf St., Maxwell, IA 50161

Enrollment

208

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

7.7

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa high schools

#25 of 334

In district

#2 of 2

Collins-Maxwell Comm School District

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Collins-maxwell Middle/high School

Collins-Maxwell Middle/High School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Maxwell, Iowa. Serving students from sixth through twelfth grade, this K-12 institution offers a comprehensive educational experience with an enrollment of 208 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1. The school has 19 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping their students succeed.

Collins-Maxwell Middle/High School’s academic performance places it at the 54th percentile among Iowa schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and an academic score of 4.2 out of 10. Students perform well in English Language Arts and Reading, with 79% reaching proficiency or above. Math scores are at 64%, and science performance sits at 59%.

While there is room for growth, the school remains committed to fostering student development across all subjects. The rural setting of Collins-Maxwell Middle/High School provides a close-knit community atmosphere where students benefit from personalized attention and strong ties with teachers and peers.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Collins-maxwell Middle/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 Progress9.2Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.28 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg-20.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.3 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected-5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,228

Collins-maxwell Middle/high School — Students at Collins-maxwell Middle/high School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

37.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.5%
School
State
70.4%
ELA Proficiency 78.8%
School
State
75.5%

Based on 20 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
57%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
69.1%
ELA
82.1%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Collins-maxwell Middle/high School Compares

See how Collins-maxwell Middle/high School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
85th percentile in IA
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

400 Metcalf St., Maxwell, IA 50161

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Collins-maxwell Middle/high School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Colo-NESCO Middle/High School (rated 6.6/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Colo), a more accessible option. Another option is North Polk High School (rated 6.2/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Alleman), a more accessible option. Additionally, Ballard High School (rated 5.6/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Huxley), a more accessible option. For more schools in Maxwell, see our Maxwell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Collins-Maxwell Elementary School Collins 4.9 mi 8.3
Nevada High School Nevada 9.2 mi 3.8
Nevada Middle School Nevada 9.3 mi 8.2
Central Elementary School Nevada 9.3 mi 9.0
Colo-NESCO Middle/High School Colo 9.2 mi 6.6
Ballard East Elementary Cambridge 7.6 mi 5.4
Bondurant-Farrar Junior High Bondurant 12.7 mi 6.5
Bondurant-Farrar High School Bondurant 12.8 mi 4.1
Bondurant - Farrar Intermediate School Bondurant 13.7 mi 5.4
Anderson Elementary School Bondurant 13.8 mi 6.5
Morris Elementary Bondurant 14.0 mi 5.3
Ballard Middle School Huxley 10.8 mi 7.0
Ballard High School Huxley 11.3 mi 5.6
Mitchellville Elementary Mitchellville 15.3 mi 6.4
Mitchell Elementary School Ames 12.5 mi 6.7
North Polk Middle School Alleman 12.2 mi 5.2
North Polk High School Alleman 12.3 mi 6.2
North Polk Central Elementary School Alleman 12.3 mi 5.7
Northeast Elementary Ankeny 14.1 mi 4.9
East Elementary School Ankeny 14.9 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50161 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$93,281

Median Home Value

$204,600

Median Rent

$846/mo

Population

2,081

College Educated

28.4%

Homeownership

88.6%

Avg Commute

29.8 min

Poverty Rate

4.7%

Median Age

42.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Collins-maxwell Middle/high School has a median household income of $93,281. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $204,600, with a median rent of $846/month. The local poverty rate of 4.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
BCLUW High School Conrad, IA 7.7
Coon Rapids-Bayard 6-12 Attendance Center Coon Rapids, IA 7.7
Mount Ayr High School Mount Ayr, IA 7.7
Springville Secondary School Springville, IA 7.7
AGWSR High School Ackley, IA 7.8
ExiraElk Horn-Kimballton High School Elk Horn, IA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Collins-maxwell Middle/high School

What grades does Collins-maxwell Middle/high School serve?

Collins-maxwell Middle/high School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Collins-maxwell Middle/high School?

Collins-maxwell Middle/high School has an enrollment of approximately 208 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Collins-maxwell Middle/high School?

The student-teacher ratio at Collins-maxwell Middle/high School is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Collins-maxwell Middle/high School rank in IA?

Collins-maxwell Middle/high School is ranked #195 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Collins-maxwell Middle/high School's MySchoolScout rating?

Collins-maxwell Middle/high School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Collins-maxwell Middle/high School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Collins-maxwell Middle/high School has 64.5% math proficiency and 78.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Collins-maxwell Middle/high School a charter school?

No, Collins-maxwell Middle/high School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Collins-maxwell Middle/high School a Title I school?

No, Collins-maxwell Middle/high School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Collins-maxwell Middle/high School?

37.5% of students at Collins-maxwell Middle/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
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (77/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
208
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
37.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Story County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Collins-Maxwell Comm School District
District Enrollment
397
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,189
District Rank
#2 of 2

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 methodology

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