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Excellent

#114 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 9% in state

East Mills Jr/sr High School

High School · East Mills Comm School District

58962 380th Street, Hastings, IA 51540

Enrollment

204

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

8.0

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hastings

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa high schools

#11 of 334

In district

#1 of 2

East Mills Comm School District

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About East Mills Jr/sr High School

East Mills Jr/Sr High School stands out as an exceptional educational institution serving 204 students in grades 7-12 in rural Hastings, Iowa. This small public school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 19th out of 1,288 schools statewide and placing in the 99th percentile with a strong MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10. The school's academic performance is particularly noteworthy, with 87% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 77% meet or exceed standards in mathematics.

With 17 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, East Mills maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 12:1, allowing for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students. This close-knit learning environment benefits from its rural setting, where the median household income is $63,750 and the poverty rate is remarkably low at just 0.7%. The school draws from a small community of 304 residents in the surrounding area, where median home values average $166,700.

East Mills Jr/Sr High School operates in Mills County's peaceful rural landscape, providing students with a focused academic environment away from urban distractions while maintaining high educational standards that rival much larger districts across Iowa.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, East Mills Jr/sr 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 Progress5.7Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency87%
Math vs. State Avg+4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.3 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected+9.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,833

East Mills Jr/sr High School — Students at East Mills Jr/sr High School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.1%
School
State
70.4%
ELA Proficiency 78.3%
School
State
75.5%

Based on 20 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
72%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2025
Math
69.8%
ELA
77.3%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How East Mills Jr/sr High School Compares

See how East Mills Jr/sr High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
91th percentile in IA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

58962 380th Street, Hastings, IA 51540

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering East Mills Jr/sr High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Treynor High School (rated 8.0/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Treynor), with a very similar rating. Another option is Sidney High School (rated 7.5/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Sidney), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Fremont-Mills Middle And Senior High School (rated 7.2/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Tabor), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hastings, see our Hastings schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.5 mi
School Distance Rating
East Mills Elementary School Hastings 6.4 mi 4.8
Glenwood Senior High School Glenwood 8.1 mi 5.6
Fremont-Mills Middle And Senior High School Tabor 10.0 mi 7.2
Fremont-Mills Elementary School Tabor 10.0 mi 5.0
Glenwood Middle School Glenwood 8.3 mi 4.6
Northeast Elementary School Glenwood 8.7 mi 7.4
West Elementary School Treynor 8.8 mi 6.8
Treynor Elementary School Treynor 15.0 mi 7.1
Treynor High School Treynor 15.1 mi 8.0
Treynor Middle School Treynor 15.1 mi 5.6
Sidney Elementary School Sidney 18.5 mi 7.6
Carson Elementary Carson 17.7 mi 3.7
Sidney High School Sidney 19.2 mi 7.5
Sidney Virtual SAC School Sidney 19.2 mi
FIRST BAPTIST SCHOOL Plattsmouth 16.0 mi 6.5
PLATTSMOUTH EARLY CHILDHOOD Plattsmouth 16.0 mi 5.5
Titan Hill Intermediate School Council Bluffs 18.5 mi 5.7
Lewis Central Middle School Council Bluffs 18.9 mi 6.6
PLATTSMOUTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Plattsmouth 16.5 mi 6.3
PLATTSMOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Plattsmouth 16.5 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51540 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,250

Median Home Value

$156,300

Population

246

College Educated

13.2%

Homeownership

87.5%

Poverty Rate

0.8%

Median Age

50.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding East Mills Jr/sr High School has a median household income of $91,250. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $156,300. The local poverty rate of 0.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Clayton Ridge High School Guttenberg, IA 8.0
North Butler Jr/Sr High School Greene, IA 8.0
Treynor High School Treynor, IA 8.0
Tripoli Middle/Sr High School Tripoli, IA 8.0
Columbus Community High School Columbus Junction, IA 8.1
Gladbrook-Reinbeck Jr. High & High School Reinbeck, IA 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about East Mills Jr/sr High School

What grades does East Mills Jr/sr High School serve?

East Mills Jr/sr High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend East Mills Jr/sr High School?

East Mills Jr/sr High School has an enrollment of approximately 204 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at East Mills Jr/sr High School?

The student-teacher ratio at East Mills Jr/sr High School is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does East Mills Jr/sr High School rank in IA?

East Mills Jr/sr High School is ranked #114 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is East Mills Jr/sr High School's MySchoolScout rating?

East Mills Jr/sr High School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 East Mills Jr/sr High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Mills Jr/sr High School has 71.1% math proficiency and 78.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is East Mills Jr/sr High School a charter school?

No, East Mills Jr/sr High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is East Mills Jr/sr High School a Title I school?

No, East Mills Jr/sr High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for East Mills Jr/sr High School?

33.3% of students at East Mills Jr/sr 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

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (412/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
204
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Mills County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

East Mills Comm School District
District Enrollment
443
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,570
District Rank
#1 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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