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Average

#847 of 1,280 schools in IA

Gmg Secondary School

High School · GMG Comm School District

306 Park Street, Garwin, IA 50632

Enrollment

210

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

5.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa high schools

#193 of 334

In district

#1 of 2

GMG Comm School District

School environment

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Gmg Secondary School

GMG Secondary School is a public high school located in the rural town of Garwin, Iowa. Spanning grades seven through twelve, GMG serves 210 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention from the 19 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school is situated at 306 Park Street and offers a supportive educational environment in a close-knit community.

Academically, GMG Secondary School has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks as the 1083rd best school among Iowa's 1288 public schools (16th percentile). In terms of proficiency levels, 77% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 53% are proficient or above in Math, and 59% in Science. The school is focusing on student development and offers a range of programs to support these areas.

The setting of GMG Secondary School is rooted in the rural heartland of Tama County, providing students with a strong sense of community and engagement with their local environment.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Gmg Secondary 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 Progress3.0Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.8Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg-25.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.2 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected-4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,495

Gmg Secondary School — Students at Gmg Secondary School score 62% 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

43.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 53.2%
School
State
69.9%
ELA Proficiency 77.0%
School
State
75.9%

Based on 18 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
52%
ELA
76%

* 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 Gmg Secondary School Compares

See how Gmg Secondary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
34th percentile in IA
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

306 Park Street, Garwin, IA 50632

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gmg Secondary School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gladbrook-Reinbeck Jr. High & High School (rated 8.1/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Reinbeck), which scores notably higher. Another option is BCLUW High School (rated 7.7/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Conrad), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Marshall Senior High School (rated 5.8/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Le Grand), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Garwin, see our Garwin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Meskwaki Settlement School Tama 7.2 mi
East Marshall Senior High School Le Grand 8.1 mi 5.8
South Tama County Middle School Toledo 8.7 mi 6.8
South Tama County Elementary School Tama 9.4 mi 6.8
GMG Elementary School Green Mountain 7.7 mi 3.7
South Tama County High School Tama 9.4 mi 5.3
North Tama High School Traer 12.5 mi 5.3
North Tama Elementary Traer 12.5 mi 5.8
Woodbury Elementary School Marshalltown 12.1 mi 6.9
BCLUW High School Conrad 13.3 mi 7.7
Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary School Reinbeck 15.9 mi 6.4
BCLUW Elementary School Conrad 13.6 mi 8.7
Gladbrook-Reinbeck Jr. High & High School Reinbeck 16.0 mi 8.1
Marshalltown Virtual Academy Marshalltown 12.6 mi 3.7
Anson Elementary School Marshalltown 12.6 mi 8.3
J C Hoglan Elementary School Marshalltown 12.9 mi 8.2
Marshalltown High School Marshalltown 12.8 mi 4.2
East Marshall Middle School Gilman 16.0 mi 4.7
Rogers Elementary School Marshalltown 12.9 mi 5.2
Lenihan Intermediate School Marshalltown 13.2 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50632 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,865

Median Home Value

$134,300

Median Rent

$628/mo

Population

1,204

College Educated

16.4%

Homeownership

86.4%

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

55.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gmg Secondary School has a median household income of $70,865. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $134,300, with a median rent of $628/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
East Marshall Senior High School Le Grand, IA 5.8
Edgewood-Colesburg High School Edgewood, IA 5.8
Kingsley-Pierson High School Kingsley, IA 5.8
Lone Tree Middle-Senior High School Lone Tree, IA 5.8
South Central Calhoun High School Lake City, IA 5.8
Underwood High School Underwood, IA 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gmg Secondary School

What grades does Gmg Secondary School serve?

Gmg Secondary School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Gmg Secondary School?

Gmg Secondary School has an enrollment of approximately 210 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gmg Secondary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gmg Secondary 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 Gmg Secondary School rank in IA?

Gmg Secondary School is ranked #847 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Gmg Secondary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gmg Secondary School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Gmg Secondary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gmg Secondary School has 53.2% math proficiency and 77.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gmg Secondary School a charter school?

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

Is Gmg Secondary School a Title I school?

No, Gmg Secondary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gmg Secondary School?

43.8% of students at Gmg Secondary 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

County Safety
Low (218/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
210
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Tama County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

GMG Comm School District
District Enrollment
472
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,138
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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