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Average

#740 of 1,280 schools in IA

Decorah High School

High School · Decorah Community School District

100 Claiborne Drive, Decorah, IA 52101

Enrollment

569

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Decorah

#3 of 4

public schools

Iowa high schools

#155 of 334

In district

#3 of 4

Decorah Community School District

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Decorah High School

Decorah High School serves 569 students in grades 9-12 in the scenic rural community of Decorah, Iowa. With 38 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a comfortable 15:1 student-teacher ratio, the school provides an environment where students can receive meaningful individual attention. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning a 7.9 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 54th among Iowa's 1,288 high schools, placing it in the 96th percentile statewide.

Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 92% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, and 83% reaching proficiency or above in mathematics. This strong academic foundation reflects both the school's commitment to educational excellence and the supportive community environment. The surrounding ZIP code area of 52101 is home to 12,962 residents with a median household income of $64,302 and median home values of $237,800.

The community values education, with 39% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 11.2%. Decorah High School sits in this stable, education-minded community where families prioritize academic achievement and students benefit from both rural charm and strong educational resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Decorah 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 Progress4.0Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.5Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency83%
Reading/ELA Proficiency92%
Math vs. State Avg+16.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.9 pts
Overall Proficiency88%
Expected (poverty-adj.)78%
vs. Expected+9.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
College Readiness4.8Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,834

Decorah High School — Students at Decorah High School score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 87.6%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 90.8%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2021*
Math
85%
ELA
92%
2022
Math
83%
ELA
92%
2025
Math
88.5%
ELA
89.5%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Decorah High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
42th percentile in IA
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

100 Claiborne Drive, Decorah, IA 52101

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Decorah High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. South Winneshiek High School (rated 7.3/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Calmar), which scores notably higher. Another option is Waukon High School (rated 7.0/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Waukon), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SPRING GROVE SECONDARY (rated 6.5/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Spring Grove), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Decorah, see our Decorah schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.7 mi
School Distance Rating
John Cline Elementary School Decorah 0.1 mi 7.9
NE IOWA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Decorah 0.3 mi 6.6
Decorah Middle School Decorah 0.4 mi 8.0
Carrie Lee Elementary Decorah 0.5 mi 6.0
CROSSROADS ACADEMY Decorah 0.5 mi
ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Decorah 0.7 mi 6.0
KINDERHAUS Decorah 1.0 mi
South Winneshiek High School Calmar 9.6 mi 7.3
South Winneshiek Elementary School Ossian 11.4 mi 7.9
South Winneshiek Middle School Ossian 11.4 mi 7.0
MABEL-CANTON SECONDARY Mabel 14.7 mi 6.4
MABEL-CANTON ELEMENTARY Mabel 14.7 mi 8.9
VALLEY VIEW Mabel 15.9 mi
SPRING GROVE ELEMENTARY Spring Grove 19.0 mi 8.7
SPRING GROVE SECONDARY Spring Grove 19.0 mi 6.5
Waukon High School Waukon 14.9 mi 7.0
Waukon Middle School Waukon 15.0 mi 7.6
West Campus Elementary School Waukon 15.1 mi 7.8
East Campus Elementary School Waukon 15.4 mi 8.4
Postville Early Childhood/Ogden St Postville 18.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52101 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,046

Median Home Value

$249,500

Median Rent

$813/mo

Population

12,539

College Educated

39%

Homeownership

74.3%

Avg Commute

16.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Median Age

42.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Decorah High School has a median household income of $70,046. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $249,500, with a median rent of $813/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Clarinda High School Clarinda, IA 6.1
Greene County High School Jefferson, IA 6.1
Washington High School Cherokee, IA 6.1
Cascade Junior-Senior High School Cascade, IA 6.0
Central Lyon Secondary School Rock Rapids, IA 6.0
Louisa-Muscatine JR/SR High School Letts, IA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Decorah High School

What grades does Decorah High School serve?

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

How many students attend Decorah High School?

Decorah High School has an enrollment of approximately 569 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Decorah High School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Decorah High School rank in IA?

Decorah High School is ranked #740 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Decorah High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Decorah High School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Decorah High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Decorah High School has 87.6% math proficiency and 90.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Decorah High School a charter school?

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

Is Decorah High School a Title I school?

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

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

22.7% of students at Decorah 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

City Safety
Average (343/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
569
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Winneshiek County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Decorah Community School District
District Enrollment
1,640
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,870
District Rank
#3 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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