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
Enrollment
569
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Decorah High School — Students at Decorah High School score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 4.0/10.
How Decorah High School Compares
See how Decorah High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 92% (2019) to 83% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 92% (2019) to 92% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (563) 382-3643
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Decorah Community School District- District Enrollment
- 1,640
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,870
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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
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