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Needs Improvement

#1238 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

2.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,238 of 1,280

In Fort Dodge

#6 of 7

public schools

In district

#6 of 7

Fort Dodge Comm School District

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Fort Dodge High School

2.9/10

High School in Fort Dodge · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Edmond Catholic School

5.3/10

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

Cooper Elementary School

3.1/10

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

About Fort Dodge High School

Fort Dodge High School is a public high school in Fort Dodge, IA, part of Fort Dodge Comm School District. Fort Dodge High School serves approximately 1,057 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Fort Dodge High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,238 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Fort Dodge High School show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.1 pts below IA schools
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

53% of students at Fort Dodge High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.0Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.6% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency65% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-16.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.1 pts
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College Readiness3.2Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate81%
AP Participation2.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,013
Chronic Absenteeism52.7%

Fort Dodge High School — Students at Fort Dodge High School score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 64.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.2% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 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
70%
ELA
69%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
66%
ELA
76%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
68%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
71%
ELA
69%
2015
Math
71%
ELA
70%
2016
Math
73%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
69%
ELA
64%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
58%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
58%
2020*
Math
39%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
39%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
40%
ELA
56%
2025
Math
49.6%
ELA
65%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How Fort Dodge High School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.9/10
3th percentile in IA
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 1.7
Sports
21
11 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
52.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
2.6% participation·State avg: 1.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics21sports offered
11 boys'·10 girls'·46 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

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. Taft Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Humboldt), which scores notably higher. Another option is Humboldt Middle School (rated 8.4/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Humboldt), which scores notably higher. Additionally, COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.3 miles away), 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 3.1
Fort Dodge Middle School Fort Dodge 0.5 mi 5.0
Duncombe Elementary School Fort Dodge 0.6 mi 3.3
Early Childhood Center Fort Dodge 0.9 mi 5.8
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge 1.3 mi 8.1
Butler Elementary School Fort Dodge 1.4 mi 2.7
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Dodge 1.3 mi 5.3
Feelhaver Elementary School Fort Dodge 1.3 mi 4.0
Southeast Valley Middle School Burnside 12.2 mi 7.0
Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum 10.2 mi 7.0
Humboldt Middle School Humboldt 14.3 mi 8.4
Clyde D Mease Elementary School Dakota City 14.5 mi 3.9
Humboldt High School Humboldt 14.4 mi 5.7
Taft Elementary School Humboldt 14.8 mi 9.0
ST MARY SCHOOL Humboldt 14.8 mi 5.2
Dayton Center Dayton 17.9 mi 6.8
Robert Blue School Eagle Grove 16.5 mi 3.7
Eagle Grove Elementary Eagle Grove 16.5 mi 3.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Storm Lake High School Storm Lake, IA 2.9
Thomas Jefferson High School Council Bluffs, IA 2.9
West High School Sioux City, IA 3.2
Iowa Connections Academy High School Anita, IA 2.4
North High School Davenport, IA 3.4
Burlington Community High School Burlington, IA 2.3

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 ranks #1,238 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Fort Dodge High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fort Dodge High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 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 Fort Dodge High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fort Dodge High School has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
17 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
52.7%
4-Year Graduation
81.0%

District

Fort Dodge Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,611
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,013
District Rank
#6 of 7

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