Skip to main content

Average

#633 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 49% in state

Dunkerton High School

High School · Dunkerton Comm School District

509 Canfield, Dunkerton, IA 50626

Enrollment

208

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dunkerton

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa high schools

#123 of 334

In district

#2 of 2

Dunkerton Comm School District

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Dunkerton High School

Dunkerton High School is a regular public school located in the heart of Dunkerton, Iowa, in Black Hawk County. The school serves students from grade 6 through 12, with an enrollment of 208 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. Teachers at Dunkerton High are dedicated professionals who work hard to support their students' educational needs.

While the MySchoolScout rating for the school is 3.8 out of 10 and it ranks 1064th out of 1288 schools in Iowa, there are positive aspects to note. In ELA/Reading, 73% of students are proficient or above, while 68% meet proficiency standards in both Math and Science. These numbers suggest that Dunkerton High School is focusing on student development with room for academic growth.

The school's setting is rural, offering a close-knit community atmosphere where students can build strong relationships with their peers and teachers. The small class sizes allow for personalized attention, fostering an environment conducive to learning and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Dunkerton High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Dunkerton 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 Progress8.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.1Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Math vs. State Avg-20.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.7 pts
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected-14.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,382

Dunkerton High School — Students at Dunkerton High School score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.8%
School
State
70.4%
ELA Proficiency 73.2%
School
State
75.5%

Based on 20 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
67%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
73.2%
ELA
78%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Dunkerton High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in IA
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

509 Canfield, Dunkerton, IA 50626

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dunkerton High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. East High School (rated 5.6/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), with a comparable rating. Another option is Expo Alternative Learning Center (rated 5.5/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Jesup High School (rated 5.0/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Jesup), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dunkerton, see our Dunkerton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Dunkerton Elementary Dunkerton 0.0 mi 8.4
Wapsie Valley High School Fairbank 7.9 mi 4.4
COMMUNITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Readlyn 7.6 mi
Jesup Elementary School Jesup 7.7 mi 7.8
Jesup High School Jesup 7.7 mi 5.0
Jesup Middle School Jesup 7.7 mi 6.3
ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Jesup 8.1 mi 6.0
Fairbank Elementary School Fairbank 7.8 mi 5.1
Triumph Elementary School Jesup 7.5 mi 2.0
Bunger Middle School Evansdale 8.8 mi 6.6
Rural Elementary School #4 Fairbank 8.1 mi
Readlyn Elementary School Readlyn 10.0 mi 7.1
Poyner Elementary Evansdale 9.0 mi 8.0
Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo 8.9 mi 5.5
Highland Elementary School Waterloo 8.9 mi 6.2
Cunningham School Waterloo 9.2 mi 6.6
Prairie Grove Elementary School Jesup 9.0 mi
East High School Waterloo 9.7 mi 5.6
Rural Elementary School #2 Fairbank 9.5 mi
Perry #1 Elementary School Jesup 9.4 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50626 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,552

Median Home Value

$196,800

Median Rent

$723/mo

Population

1,478

College Educated

21%

Homeownership

81.2%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.6%

Median Age

41.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dunkerton High School has a median household income of $82,552. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $196,800, with a median rent of $723/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Boyden-Hull High School Hull, IA 6.4
Highland High School Riverside, IA 6.4
Montezuma High School Montezuma, IA 6.4
West Branch High School West Branch, IA 6.4
West Fork High School Sheffield, IA 6.4
Akron Westfield Senior High School Akron, IA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dunkerton High School

What grades does Dunkerton High School serve?

Dunkerton High School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Dunkerton High School?

Dunkerton High School has an enrollment of approximately 208 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Dunkerton High School is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dunkerton High School rank in IA?

Dunkerton High School is ranked #633 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Dunkerton High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dunkerton High School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Dunkerton High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dunkerton High School has 67.8% math proficiency and 73.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dunkerton High School a charter school?

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

Is Dunkerton High School a Title I school?

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

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

38.9% of students at Dunkerton 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

County Safety
Low (80/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
208
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Black Hawk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dunkerton Comm School District
District Enrollment
431
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,906
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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.