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Below Average

#1099 of 1,280 schools in IA

Emmetsburg High School

High School · Emmetsburg Comm School District

205 King St, Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Enrollment

240

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Emmetsburg

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#280 of 334

In district

#3 of 3

Emmetsburg Comm School District

About Emmetsburg High School

Emmetsburg High School is a regular public high school serving students in grades 9 through 12. Located at 205 King Street in Emmetsburg, Iowa, the school has an enrollment of 240 students and is situated in a remote rural area. Despite its small size, Emmetsburg High School offers a supportive community environment where students can participate in various activities and clubs.

According to MySchoolScout's rating system, Emmetsburg High School scores a 3.9 out of 10 overall, placing it at the 19th percentile among Iowa schools. Academically, the school reports that 80% of its students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 63% achieve proficiency in math and 70% do so in science. These scores indicate areas where there is room for improvement but also highlight strengths in literacy.

Emmetsburg High School serves a community with unique challenges due to its rural setting, yet it provides students with the resources they need to succeed both academically and personally. The school's location offers a tight-knit community atmosphere that fosters strong relationships between teachers, staff, and families.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Emmetsburg 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 Progress5.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg-9.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.1 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected-2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
College Readiness5.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$11,901

Emmetsburg High School — Students at Emmetsburg High School score 67% 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

38.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 63.3%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 80.5%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 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
77%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
64.5%
ELA
85.6%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Emmetsburg High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
14th percentile in IA
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Location

205 King St, Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Emmetsburg High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. North Union High School (rated 8.4/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Armstrong), which scores notably higher. Another option is Graettinger-Terril High School (rated 7.5/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Graettinger), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Bend-Mallard High School (rated 6.5/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby West Bend), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Emmetsburg, see our Emmetsburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Emmetsburg Middle School Emmetsburg 0.0 mi 8.6
West Elementary School Emmetsburg 0.5 mi 7.8
EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL Emmetsburg 1.2 mi 7.3
Graettinger-Terril High School Graettinger 8.8 mi 7.5
Graettinger-Terril Middle School Graettinger 8.8 mi 6.9
Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven 10.6 mi 5.7
Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven 10.6 mi 6.3
West Bend-Mallard Elementary School West Bend 16.5 mi 4.3
West Bend-Mallard Middle School West Bend 16.5 mi 5.6
West Bend-Mallard High School West Bend 16.5 mi 6.5
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens 20.0 mi 4.2
Demoney Elementary Estherville 20.6 mi 6.1
Estherville Lincoln Central High School Estherville 20.7 mi 5.8
Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville 20.7 mi 7.9
North Union Elementary Fenton 16.7 mi 9.5
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril 19.2 mi 9.1
LITTLE MUSTANGS LEARNING CENTER Armstrong 22.0 mi
North Union High School Armstrong 22.2 mi 8.4
Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School Pocahontas 26.5 mi 5.8
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas 26.7 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50536 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,404

Median Home Value

$121,300

Median Rent

$599/mo

Population

4,287

College Educated

19.1%

Homeownership

70.8%

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

43.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Emmetsburg High School has a median household income of $62,404. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,300, with a median rent of $599/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Madrid High School Madrid, IA 4.8
Mediapolis High School Mediapolis, IA 4.8
New London Jr-Sr High School New London, IA 4.8
Panorama High School Panora, IA 4.9
Turkey Valley Jr-Sr High School Jackson Junction, IA 4.9
Winfield-Mt Union Jr-Sr High School Winfield, IA 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Emmetsburg High School

What grades does Emmetsburg High School serve?

Emmetsburg High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Emmetsburg High School?

Emmetsburg High School has an enrollment of approximately 240 students.

How does Emmetsburg High School rank in IA?

Emmetsburg High School is ranked #1099 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Emmetsburg High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Emmetsburg High School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Emmetsburg High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Emmetsburg High School has 63.3% math proficiency and 80.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Emmetsburg High School a charter school?

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

Is Emmetsburg High School a Title I school?

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

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

38.3% of students at Emmetsburg 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

City Safety
Elevated (806/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Emmetsburg). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
240
0
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Palo Alto County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Emmetsburg Comm School District
District Enrollment
771
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,201
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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