Average
#556 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 43% in state
Colo-nesco Middle/high School
High School · Colo-NESCO Comm School District
PO BOX 136 919 West St, Colo, IA 50056
Enrollment
219
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
6.6
Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
219
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
6.6
Grades
5th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa high schools
#106 of 334
In district
#1 of 2
Colo-NESCO Comm School District
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Colo-nesco Middle/high School
Colo-NESCO Middle/High School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Colo, Iowa. The school serves students from fifth grade through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 219 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.4:1, providing a relatively small class size for more individualized attention. The academic performance at Colo-NESCO Middle/High School shows that 76% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 71% meet proficiency standards in math, and 62% excel in science.
With these scores, the school is ranked #728 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it around the 44th percentile overall. The MySchoolScout rating for the school is 5.1/10 with an academic score of 5.5/10, indicating there is room for improvement and ongoing focus on student development. Colo-NESCO Middle/High School stands out as a vital part of its rural community in Story County, providing comprehensive education to local students from middle school through high school.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Colo-nesco 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Colo-nesco Middle/high School — Students at Colo-nesco Middle/high School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 23 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: 3.1/10.
How Colo-nesco Middle/high School Compares
See how Colo-nesco Middle/high School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 136 919 West St, Colo, IA 50056
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Colo-nesco Middle/high School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Collins-Maxwell Middle/High School (rated 7.7/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Maxwell), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Marshall High School (rated 4.0/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby State Center), a more accessible option. Additionally, Nevada High School (rated 3.8/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Nevada), a more accessible option. For more schools in Colo, see our Colo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Collins-Maxwell Elementary School Collins | 7.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Nevada Middle School Nevada | 6.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Nevada High School Nevada | 6.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Central Elementary School Nevada | 6.7 mi | 9.0 |
| Collins-Maxwell Middle/High School Maxwell | 9.2 mi | 7.7 |
| West Marshall Middle School State Center | 7.5 mi | 7.2 |
| West Marshall High School State Center | 7.6 mi | 4.0 |
| West Marshall Elementary School State Center | 7.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Colo-Nesco Elementary School Zearing | 10.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Roland-Story Middle School Roland | 14.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Baxter Elementary School Baxter | 15.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Baxter High School Baxter | 15.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Ballard East Elementary Cambridge | 14.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Mitchell Elementary School Ames | 14.6 mi | 6.7 |
| South Hardin Middle School Hubbard | 20.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Meeker Elementary School Ames | 15.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Northwood Pre-School Ames | 15.7 mi | 4.0 |
| AMES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ames | 15.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Ballard Middle School Huxley | 16.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Fellows Elementary School Ames | 16.1 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50056 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,667
Median Home Value
$184,300
Median Rent
$1,054/mo
Population
1,122
College Educated
24.9%
Homeownership
85.5%
Avg Commute
28.7 min
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
40.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Colo-nesco Middle/high School has a median household income of $79,667. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $184,300, with a median rent of $1,054/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Jr-Sr High School Brooklyn, IA | 6.6 |
| Starmont High School Arlington, IA | 6.6 |
| Akron Westfield Senior High School Akron, IA | 6.5 |
| COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo, IA | 6.5 |
| Central City High School Central City, IA | 6.5 |
| North-Linn Senior High School Troy Mills, IA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Colo-nesco Middle/high School
What grades does Colo-nesco Middle/high School serve?
Colo-nesco Middle/high School serves students in grades 5th through 12th.
How many students attend Colo-nesco Middle/high School?
Colo-nesco Middle/high School has an enrollment of approximately 219 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Colo-nesco Middle/high School?
The student-teacher ratio at Colo-nesco Middle/high School is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Colo-nesco Middle/high School rank in IA?
Colo-nesco Middle/high School is ranked #556 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Colo-nesco Middle/high School's MySchoolScout rating?
Colo-nesco Middle/high School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Colo-nesco Middle/high School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Colo-nesco Middle/high School has 70.8% math proficiency and 75.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Colo-nesco Middle/high School a charter school?
No, Colo-nesco Middle/high School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Colo-nesco Middle/high School a Title I school?
No, Colo-nesco Middle/high School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Colo-nesco Middle/high School?
43.4% of students at Colo-nesco 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (77/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 219
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Story County
- Phone
- (641) 377-2282
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Colo-NESCO Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 383
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,910
- District Rank
- #1 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 methodologyRelated 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.