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Average

#520 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 41% in state

Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School

High School · Glidden-Ralston Comm School District

PO BOX 488 602 Idaho, Glidden, IA 51443

Enrollment

156

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

6.7

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Glidden

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa high schools

#97 of 334

In district

#1 of 2

Glidden-Ralston Comm School District

School environment

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School

Glidden-Ralston Jr-Sr High School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Glidden, Iowa. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, this small but tight-knit school has an enrollment of 156 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1, thanks to its dedicated staff of 14 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Glidden-Ralston Jr-Sr High School focuses on providing a supportive learning environment where students can develop their skills and interests.

The school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts/Reading stand at 74%, while Math and Science see rates of 60% and 54% proficient or above respectively. With room for academic growth, the school is committed to enhancing educational outcomes through targeted support and innovative teaching methods. Set in a rural setting, Glidden-Ralston Jr-Sr High School benefits from a close-knit community atmosphere that fosters strong relationships between students and educators.

This unique environment offers ample opportunities for extracurricular activities and personal growth beyond the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 156 students, Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Glidden-ralston Jr-sr 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.

Located in a rural area, Glidden-ralston Jr-sr 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 Progress8.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.51 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Math vs. State Avg-30.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.8 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected-22.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,161

Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School — Students at Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.7%
School
State
69.9%
ELA Proficiency 73.8%
School
State
75.9%

Based on 18 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
57%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
66.2%
ELA
78.9%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School Compares

See how Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
60th percentile in IA
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

PO BOX 488 602 Idaho, Glidden, IA 51443

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Coon Rapids-Bayard 6-12 Attendance Center (rated 7.7/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Coon Rapids), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Westside Junior-Senior High School (rated 7.2/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Westside), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Carroll High School (rated 6.7/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Carroll), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Glidden, see our Glidden schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Glidden-Ralston Elementary School Glidden 0.0 mi 6.6
Fairview Elementary School Carroll 6.8 mi 6.5
Carroll Middle School Carroll 7.2 mi 5.1
Carroll High School Carroll 7.2 mi 6.7
Adams Elementary School Carroll 7.1 mi 7.2
KUEMPER CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL Carroll 7.1 mi 6.0
CR-B Elementary School Coon Rapids 12.9 mi 5.2
Coon Rapids-Bayard 6-12 Attendance Center Coon Rapids 12.9 mi 7.7
South Central Calhoun High School Lake City 14.2 mi 5.8
Paton-Churdan Elementary Churdan 14.6 mi 5.7
Paton-Churdan Jr-Sr High School Churdan 14.6 mi 6.6
South Central Calhoun Middle School Rockwell City 23.3 mi 4.8
Greene County High School Jefferson 17.7 mi 6.1
South Central Calhoun Elementary School Rockwell City 23.7 mi 7.1
Greene County Middle School Jefferson 18.6 mi 5.8
Greene County Elementary Jefferson 18.7 mi 6.4
IKM-Manning Middle School Manning 20.1 mi 6.8
IKM-Manning High School Manning 20.1 mi 6.1
Westside Junior-Senior High School Westside 19.2 mi 7.2
Ar-We-Va Elementary Community School Westside 19.2 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51443 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,472

Median Home Value

$181,500

Median Rent

$531/mo

Population

1,623

College Educated

24.8%

Homeownership

84.4%

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

44.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School has a median household income of $78,472. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $181,500, with a median rent of $531/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Melcher-Dallas High School Melcher, IA 6.8
Moravia High School Moravia, IA 6.8
River Valley Junior- Senior High School Correctionville, IA 6.8
Wapello Senior High School Wapello, IA 6.8
Paton-Churdan Jr-Sr High School Churdan, IA 6.6
Starmont High School Arlington, IA 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School

What grades does Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School serve?

Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School?

Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School has an enrollment of approximately 156 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School rank in IA?

Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School is ranked #520 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School has 59.7% math proficiency and 73.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School a charter school?

No, Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School a Title I school?

No, Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Glidden-ralston Jr-sr High School?

30.1% of students at Glidden-ralston Jr-sr 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
156
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Carroll County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Glidden-Ralston Comm School District
District Enrollment
393
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,337
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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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