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Average

#825 of 1,280 schools in IA

Diagonal Junior-senior High School

High School · Diagonal Comm School District

403 W 2nd Street, Diagonal, IA 50845

Enrollment

49

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

5.9

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Diagonal

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa high schools

#185 of 334

In district

#2 of 2

Diagonal Comm School District

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Diagonal Junior-senior High School

Diagonal Junior-Senior High School is a small rural school located in the quiet town of Diagonal, Iowa. Spanning grades 6 through 12, the school serves a close-knit community with an enrollment of just 49 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1. The campus sits on W 2nd Street, offering a cozy setting for both middle and high school students.

With a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1109 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, the academic performance is solid but with room for growth. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 69%, while math proficiency is 57%. The school focuses on providing personalized attention to each student within its rural setting.

Diagonal Junior-Senior High School thrives in a remote and close-knit community, where teachers and students form strong bonds and work together to support academic development.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 49 students, Diagonal Junior-senior High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Diagonal Junior-senior High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Diagonal Junior-senior 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 Progress1.6Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Math vs. State Avg-18 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.2 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,200

Diagonal Junior-senior High School — Students at Diagonal Junior-senior High School score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.0%
School
State
70.4%
ELA Proficiency 67.7%
School
State
75.5%

Based on 20 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
84.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2025
Math
58%
ELA
62.6%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How Diagonal Junior-senior High School Compares

See how Diagonal Junior-senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
36th percentile in IA
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
1.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

403 W 2nd Street, Diagonal, IA 50845

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Diagonal Junior-senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bedford High School (rated 8.8/10, 22.0 miles away, in nearby Bedford), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southwest Valley High school (rated 7.8/10, 24.3 miles away, in nearby Corning), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mount Ayr High School (rated 7.7/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Mount Ayr), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Diagonal, see our Diagonal schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Diagonal Elementary School Diagonal 0.1 mi 6.4
Mount Ayr Elementary Mount Ayr 8.6 mi 6.0
Mount Ayr High School Mount Ayr 8.7 mi 7.7
Lenox Elementary School Lenox 12.1 mi 6.3
Lenox High School Lenox 12.1 mi 7.6
ST MALACHY SCHOOL Creston 17.2 mi 5.1
Creston Early Childhood Center Creston 18.0 mi 6.4
MAYFLOWER HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Creston 18.2 mi 6.3
Creston High School Creston 18.4 mi 7.5
Creston Middle School Creston 18.7 mi 8.1
Creston Elementary School Creston 18.7 mi 7.5
East Union Elementary Afton 17.3 mi 6.9
East Union Middle-High School Afton 17.3 mi 6.7
WORTH CO. ELEMENTARY Grant City 22.6 mi 8.6
WORTH CO. HIGH Grant City 22.6 mi 7.4
Orient Elementary School Orient 27.4 mi 3.9
Orient-Macksburg Senior High School Orient 27.4 mi 6.1
Bedford High School Bedford 22.0 mi 8.8
Bedford Elementary School Bedford 22.0 mi 6.3
Southwest Valley High school Corning 24.3 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50845 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,781

Median Home Value

$104,300

Median Rent

$838/mo

Population

820

College Educated

18.6%

Homeownership

89.9%

Poverty Rate

13.7%

Median Age

40.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Diagonal Junior-senior High School has a median household income of $70,781. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $104,300, with a median rent of $838/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Orient-Macksburg Senior High School Orient, IA 6.1
WEST Academy Alternative School Newton, IA 6.2
St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS Storm Lake, IA 5.6
Individualized Learning Center Le Mars, IA 5.1
HILLCREST ACADEMY Kalona, IA 6.8
DC Online Bloomfield, IA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Diagonal Junior-senior High School

What grades does Diagonal Junior-senior High School serve?

Diagonal Junior-senior High School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Diagonal Junior-senior High School?

Diagonal Junior-senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 49 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Diagonal Junior-senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Diagonal Junior-senior High School is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Diagonal Junior-senior High School rank in IA?

Diagonal Junior-senior High School is ranked #825 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Diagonal Junior-senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Diagonal Junior-senior High School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Diagonal Junior-senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Diagonal Junior-senior High School has 59.0% math proficiency and 67.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Diagonal Junior-senior High School a charter school?

No, Diagonal Junior-senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Diagonal Junior-senior High School a Title I school?

No, Diagonal Junior-senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Diagonal Junior-senior High School?

55.1% of students at Diagonal Junior-senior 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
49
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Ringgold County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Diagonal Comm School District
District Enrollment
107
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,085
District Rank
#2 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 methodology

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