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Very Good

#254 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 20% in state

Creston High School

High School · Creston Comm School District

601 W Townline, Creston, IA 50801

Enrollment

509

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Creston

#2 of 4

public schools

Iowa high schools

#37 of 334

In district

#2 of 4

Creston Comm School District

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Creston High School

Creston High School is a regular public high school located in the remote town of Creston, Iowa. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 509 students and employs 31 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1. The school's setting offers a close-knit community atmosphere, with a focus on nurturing personal connections between faculty and students.

Creston High School receives a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10, placing it at the 70th percentile among Iowa schools. In academic performance, the school scores 6.6 out of 10 overall, with 80% proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, 67% in Math, and 69% in Science across all grades. While there is room for improvement in some areas, the school continues to prioritize student development and growth.

Creston High School sits in a small town setting, providing students with a tight-knit community feel that supports academic and personal achievement.

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+2.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65%
Reading/ELA Proficiency80%
Math vs. State Avg-1.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.9 pts
Overall Proficiency73%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,868

Creston High School — Students at Creston High School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.3%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 80.0%
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
57%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
78%
2022
Math
65%
ELA
80%
2025
Math
73%
ELA
83.2%

* 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 Creston High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
80th percentile in IA
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

601 W Townline, Creston, IA 50801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Creston High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Southwest Valley High school (rated 7.8/10, 20.2 miles away, in nearby Corning), with a very similar rating. Another option is Mount Ayr High School (rated 7.7/10, 25.7 miles away, in nearby Mount Ayr), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lenox High School (rated 7.6/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Lenox), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Creston, see our Creston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Creston Middle School Creston 0.3 mi 8.1
Creston Elementary School Creston 0.3 mi 7.5
Creston Early Childhood Center Creston 0.5 mi 6.4
MAYFLOWER HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Creston 0.8 mi 6.3
ST MALACHY SCHOOL Creston 1.2 mi 5.1
Orient Elementary School Orient 9.2 mi 3.9
Orient-Macksburg Senior High School Orient 9.2 mi 6.1
East Union Elementary Afton 10.4 mi 6.9
East Union Middle-High School Afton 10.4 mi 6.7
Nodaway Valley Elementary School Greenfield 17.1 mi 7.8
Nodaway Valley High School Greenfield 17.3 mi 6.0
Diagonal Elementary School Diagonal 18.3 mi 6.4
Diagonal Junior-Senior High School Diagonal 18.4 mi 5.9
Lenox Elementary School Lenox 16.7 mi 6.3
Lenox High School Lenox 16.7 mi 7.6
Nodaway Valley Middle School Fontanelle 18.1 mi 6.7
Southwest Valley High school Corning 20.2 mi 7.8
Corning Elementary School Corning 20.2 mi 7.7
Mount Ayr Elementary Mount Ayr 25.7 mi 6.0
Mount Ayr High School Mount Ayr 25.7 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,453

Median Home Value

$120,700

Median Rent

$676/mo

Population

9,027

College Educated

25.9%

Homeownership

70.1%

Poverty Rate

13.4%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Creston High School has a median household income of $55,453. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,700, with a median rent of $676/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
John R Mott Jr/Hi School Postville, IA 7.6
Sheldon High School Sheldon, IA 7.4
Clear Lake High School Clear Lake, IA 7.3
Northeast Middle-High School Goose Lake, IA 7.7
Grinnell Community Senior High School Grinnell, IA 7.2
North Fayette Valley High School West Union, IA 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Creston High School

What grades does Creston High School serve?

Creston High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Creston High School?

Creston High School has an enrollment of approximately 509 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Creston High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Creston High School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Creston High School rank in IA?

Creston High School is ranked #254 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Creston High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Creston High School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Creston High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Creston High School has 67.3% math proficiency and 80.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Creston High School a charter school?

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

Is Creston High School a Title I school?

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

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

47.7% of students at Creston 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
36 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,307/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
509
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Union County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Creston Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,426
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,338
District Rank
#2 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

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