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Average

#661 of 1,280 schools in IA

Essex Junior-senior High School

High School · Essex Comm School District

111 Forbes St, Essex, IA 51638

Enrollment

94

Student-Teacher

10.4:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#661 of 1,280

In Essex

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Essex Comm School District

School environment

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Essex Junior-senior High School

6.4/10

High School in Essex · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Essex Elementary School

3.9/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Shenandoah High School

8.7/10

6.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Essex Junior-senior High School

Essex Junior-senior High School is a public high school in Essex, IA, part of Essex Comm School District. Essex Junior-senior High School serves approximately 94 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Essex Junior-senior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #661 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Essex Junior-senior High School show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above IA schools
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 94 students, Essex Junior-senior High School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Essex Junior-senior High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.06 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.6% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency73.4% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-16.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.3 pts
Overall Proficiency65% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-0.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness7.3Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate50%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,141
Chronic Absenteeism22.3%

Essex Junior-senior High School — Students at Essex Junior-senior High School score 65% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
70.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 74.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.5% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 41 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2010
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2011
Math
95%
ELA
84.5%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
95%
ELA
74.5%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2025
Math
55.6%
ELA
73.4%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Essex Junior-senior High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
48th percentile in IA
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
9.0/10
Excellent
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.3%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·4 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

111 Forbes St, Essex, IA 51638

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Essex Junior-senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Shenandoah High School (rated 8.7/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Shenandoah), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Mills Jr/Sr High School (rated 7.9/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Hastings), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stanton High School (rated 7.6/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Stanton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Essex, see our Essex schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Essex Elementary School Essex 0.0 mi 3.9
Shenandoah High School Shenandoah 6.0 mi 8.7
IGNITE Online & Personalized Learning Shenandoah 6.0 mi 3.5
Logan Preschool Shenandoah 5.9 mi 2.9
Shenandoah Elementary School Shenandoah 6.1 mi 7.1
Shenandoah Middle School Shenandoah 6.1 mi 7.7
Red Oak Early Childhood Center Red Oak 13.0 mi 4.9
Inman Elementary School Red Oak 13.9 mi 3.3
Red Oak Junior/Senior High School Red Oak 14.1 mi 5.2
East Mills Elementary School Hastings 16.2 mi 3.9
Stanton Elementary School Stanton 15.3 mi 7.1
Stanton High School Stanton 15.3 mi 7.6
Clarinda High School Clarinda 14.9 mi 6.7
CLARINDA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Clarinda 14.9 mi 5.5
South Page Elementary School College Springs 17.5 mi 9.9
South Page Senior High School College Springs 17.5 mi
Garfield Elementary School Clarinda 15.9 mi 6.9
East Mills Jr/Sr High School Hastings 19.2 mi 7.9
Sylvia Enarson Elementary School Villisca 18.5 mi 7.6
Sidney Elementary School Sidney 18.5 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51638 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,154

Median Home Value

$115,700

Median Rent

$688/mo

Population

1,278

College Educated

16.2%

Homeownership

79.7%

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

50.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
HILLCREST ACADEMY Kalona, IA 6.8
Paton-Churdan Jr-Sr High School Churdan, IA 6.9
Tri-County JR/SR High School Thornburg, IA 7.0
West Central Charter High School Maynard, IA 5.8
George-Little Rock Senior High School George, IA 7.2
Westside Junior-Senior High School Westside, IA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Essex Junior-senior High School

What grades does Essex Junior-senior High School serve?

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

How many students attend Essex Junior-senior High School?

Essex Junior-senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 94 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Essex Junior-senior High School is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

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

Essex Junior-senior High School ranks #661 of 1,280 schools in IA.

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

Essex Junior-senior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Essex Junior-senior High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Essex Junior-senior High School has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Essex Junior-senior High School a charter school?

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

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

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

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

55.3% of students at Essex 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
94
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Page County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.3%
4-Year Graduation
50%+

District

Essex Comm School District
District Enrollment
215
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,141
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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