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Average

#1018 of 1,280 schools in IA

Fairfield High School

High School · Fairfield Comm School District

605 E Broadway, Fairfield, IA 52556

Enrollment

445

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

5.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fairfield

#4 of 4

public schools

Iowa high schools

#252 of 334

In district

#4 of 4

Fairfield Comm School District

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Fairfield High School

Fairfield High School is a regular public high school located in the heart of Fairfield, Iowa. With an enrollment of 445 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. The dedicated faculty includes 27 full-time equivalent teachers who strive to support academic growth and development.

Fairfield High School's MySchoolScout Rating stands at 4.1 out of 10, reflecting an opportunity for improvement in overall academic performance. The state ranking is #1003 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it around the 22nd percentile. In terms of subject proficiency, 77% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 65% achieve this level in Math and 71% in Science.

The school is situated in a remote town setting, which offers a close-knit community feel where teachers and parents work closely together to provide the best educational experience for their children.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Fairfield 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.2Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Math vs. State Avg-16.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.1 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected-7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness3.5Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,848

Fairfield High School — Students at Fairfield High School score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.6%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 77.1%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 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
72%
2021*
Math
50%
ELA
73%
2022
Math
50%
ELA
69%
2025
Math
73.5%
ELA
83%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Fairfield High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
21th percentile in IA
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

605 E Broadway, Fairfield, IA 52556

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fairfield High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Van Buren County Community Middle & High School (rated 8.0/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Keosauqua), which scores notably higher. Another option is Keota High School (rated 7.2/10, 25.0 miles away, in nearby Keota), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cardinal High School (rated 6.8/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Eldon), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fairfield, see our Fairfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 24.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Washington Elementary Fairfield 0.4 mi 6.9
MAHARISHI SCHOOL Fairfield 0.8 mi 9.4
Pence Elementary Fairfield 1.1 mi 6.1
Fairfield Middle School Fairfield 1.2 mi 7.4
SINGING CEDARS SCHOOL Fairfield 1.7 mi
Van Buren County Community School District Douds Center Keosauqua 14.0 mi 7.5
Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School Packwood 14.7 mi 6.7
Pekin Elementary School Packwood 14.7 mi 7.5
PEKIN CHILD CARE CENTER Packwood 14.8 mi
Van Buren County Community Middle & High School Keosauqua 19.2 mi 8.0
Cardinal High School Eldon 15.1 mi 6.8
Cardinal Junior High Eldon 15.1 mi 6.8
Cardinal Elementary Eldon 15.1 mi 5.0
WACO High School Wayland 18.4 mi 6.7
Keota Elementary School Keota 25.0 mi 7.4
Keota High School Keota 25.0 mi 7.2
Van Buren County Community School District Harmony Center Keosauqua 22.8 mi 5.8
Salem Elementary School Mt. Pleasant 20.7 mi 8.2
Washington High School Washington 23.6 mi 3.5
ST JAMES SCHOOL Washington 24.2 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52556 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,528

Median Home Value

$168,200

Median Rent

$877/mo

Population

11,586

College Educated

46.4%

Homeownership

60.9%

Avg Commute

12.9 min

Poverty Rate

16%

Median Age

45.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fairfield High School has a median household income of $55,528. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,200, with a median rent of $877/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 13 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
Monticello High School Monticello, IA 5.2
Okoboji High School Milford, IA 5.2
Roland-Story High School Story City, IA 5.2
UNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Orange City, IA 5.2
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School Clarion, IA 5.3
North Mahaska Jr-Sr High School New Sharon, IA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fairfield High School

What grades does Fairfield High School serve?

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

How many students attend Fairfield High School?

Fairfield High School has an enrollment of approximately 445 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Fairfield High School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fairfield High School rank in IA?

Fairfield High School is ranked #1018 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Fairfield High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fairfield High School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Fairfield High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fairfield High School has 64.6% math proficiency and 77.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fairfield High School a charter school?

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

Is Fairfield High School a Title I school?

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

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

43.1% of students at Fairfield 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
Average (627/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
445
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Jefferson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fairfield Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,466
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,640
District Rank
#4 of 4

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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