Average
#515 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 40% in state
Denison High School
High School · Denison Comm School District
819 N 16th St, Denison, IA 51442
Enrollment
773
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
6.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
773
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
6.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Denison
#4 of 4
public schools
Iowa high schools
#95 of 334
In district
#4 of 4
Denison Comm School District
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Denison High School
Denison High School serves grades 9 through 12 in Denison, a remote town in Crawford County, Iowa. The school has an enrollment of 773 students with 43 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 18:1. Academically, Denison High School is working to strengthen its performance across core subjects.
In reading and language arts, 75% of students score at proficient levels or above, showing relative strength in this area. Math proficiency stands at 65%, while science proficiency is at 64%, indicating room for academic growth in these disciplines. The school's overall MySchoolScout rating of 5.3/10 places it at the 48th percentile statewide, ranking #674 out of 1,288 Iowa schools.
As a regular public school, Denison High School provides a traditional educational structure for the community it serves. The remote setting of Denison gives the school a distinct character shaped by its location in a smaller Iowa town.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Denison High School — Students at Denison High School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.3%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How Denison High School Compares
See how Denison High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 61% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 71% (2022).
Location
819 N 16th St, Denison, IA 51442
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Denison High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Westside Junior-Senior High School (rated 7.2/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Westside), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Boyer Valley Middle/High School (rated 6.3/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Dunlap), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove High School (rated 6.2/10, 22.1 miles away, in nearby Ida Grove), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Denison, see our Denison schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51442 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,399
Median Home Value
$146,200
Median Rent
$763/mo
Population
9,586
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
75.9%
Avg Commute
14.8 min
Poverty Rate
19.9%
Median Age
36.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Denison High School has a median household income of $64,399. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,200, with a median rent of $763/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.9%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 |
|---|---|
| Carroll High School Carroll, IA | 6.7 |
| West Delaware High School Manchester, IA | 6.8 |
| Sioux Center High School Sioux Center, IA | 6.6 |
| Williamsburg Jr-Sr High School Williamsburg, IA | 6.6 |
| BISHOP HEELAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Sioux City, IA | 6.4 |
| Independence Junior Senior High School Independence, IA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Denison High School
What grades does Denison High School serve?
Denison High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Denison High School?
Denison High School has an enrollment of approximately 773 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Denison High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Denison High School is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Denison High School rank in IA?
Denison High School is ranked #515 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Denison High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Denison High School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Denison High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Denison High School has 65.5% math proficiency and 74.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Denison High School a charter school?
No, Denison High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Denison High School a Title I school?
No, Denison High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Denison High School?
58.3% of students at Denison 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (971/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Denison). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 773
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Crawford County
- Phone
- (712) 263-3101
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Denison Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 2,259
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,865
- District Rank
- #4 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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