Below Average
#1210 of 1,280 schools in IA
Fort Dodge High School
High School · Fort Dodge Comm School District
819 N 25th St, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Enrollment
1,057
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,057
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fort Dodge
#4 of 7
public schools
Iowa high schools
#315 of 334
In district
#4 of 7
Fort Dodge Comm School District
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Fort Dodge High School
Fort Dodge High School serves 1,057 students in grades 9-12 in this remote Iowa town, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 18.5:1 across 57 full-time equivalent teachers. The school faces significant academic challenges, ranking #1266 out of 1,288 Iowa high schools and earning a MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10. Currently, 56% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, while 40% meet proficiency standards in mathematics, indicating substantial room for academic growth.
Located at 819 N 25th Street, the school serves a community where the median household income reaches $64,013 and median home values average $134,200. The surrounding ZIP code area houses 28,530 residents, with 21% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 13.5%. These demographics reflect a working-class community with mixed economic circumstances.
Despite the current academic performance challenges, Fort Dodge High School represents the primary educational institution for families in this Webster County community. The school operates in Fort Dodge's remote town setting, serving as a central hub for secondary education in the region.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Fort Dodge 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 metricsView breakdown
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Fort Dodge High School — Students at Fort Dodge High School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.4/10.
How Fort Dodge High School Compares
See how Fort Dodge High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 40% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 58% (2019) to 56% (2022).
Location
819 N 25th St, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fort Dodge High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Taft Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Humboldt), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Manson Northwest Webster Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Barnum), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Dodge, see our Fort Dodge schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge | 0.3 mi | 5.3 |
| ST EDMOND CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Dodge | 0.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Cooper Elementary School Fort Dodge | 0.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Fort Dodge Middle School Fort Dodge | 0.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Duncombe Elementary School Fort Dodge | 0.6 mi | 3.3 |
| Early Childhood Center Fort Dodge | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Butler Elementary School Fort Dodge | 1.4 mi | 3.6 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Feelhaver Elementary School Fort Dodge | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Southeast Valley Middle School Burnside | 12.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum | 10.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Humboldt Middle School Humboldt | 14.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City | 14.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Humboldt High School Humboldt | 14.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Taft Elementary School Humboldt | 14.8 mi | 7.2 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Humboldt | 14.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Dayton Center Dayton | 17.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Robert Blue School Eagle Grove | 16.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove | 16.5 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,130
Median Home Value
$139,700
Median Rent
$779/mo
Population
28,633
College Educated
20.5%
Homeownership
66.9%
Avg Commute
17.9 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Median Age
39.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fort Dodge High School has a median household income of $66,130. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,700, with a median rent of $779/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Bondurant-Farrar High School Bondurant, IA | 4.1 |
| Thomas Jefferson High School Council Bluffs, IA | 3.9 |
| North Scott High School Eldridge, IA | 4.3 |
| Ottumwa High School Ottumwa, IA | 4.3 |
| Burlington Community High School Burlington, IA | 3.6 |
| Lewis Central Senior High School Council Bluffs, IA | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort Dodge High School
What grades does Fort Dodge High School serve?
Fort Dodge High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Fort Dodge High School?
Fort Dodge High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,057 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort Dodge High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Fort Dodge High School is 18.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fort Dodge High School rank in IA?
Fort Dodge High School is ranked #1210 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Fort Dodge High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fort Dodge High School has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Fort Dodge High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fort Dodge High School has 45.7% math proficiency and 60.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fort Dodge High School a charter school?
No, Fort Dodge High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fort Dodge High School a Title I school?
No, Fort Dodge High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fort Dodge High School?
53.8% of students at Fort Dodge 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 46 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 17 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 48 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,310/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fort Dodge). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,057
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Webster County
- Phone
- (515) 955-1770
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fort Dodge Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 3,611
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,013
- District Rank
- #4 of 7
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 methodologyRelated reading
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