Skip to main content

Very Good

#256 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 20% in state

Graettinger-terril High School

High School · Graettinger-Terril Comm School District

PO BOX 58 205 S Lincoln Ave, Graettinger, IA 51342

Enrollment

118

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Graettinger

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa high schools

#38 of 334

In district

#2 of 3

Graettinger-Terril Comm School District

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Graettinger-terril High School

Graettinger-Terril High School is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Graettinger, Iowa. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 118 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1 and ten full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention to each student.

Graettinger-Terril High School's academic performance is in line with room for growth, as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and a state ranking of 761 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (41st percentile). In terms of proficiency levels, 65% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 52% are proficient or above in Math. For Science, the proficiency rate is slightly higher at 58%.

The school community focuses on student development and strives to improve academic outcomes. Graettinger-Terril High School sits in a quiet rural setting, offering students a close-knit environment where they can grow both academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 118 students, Graettinger-terril 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 Graettinger-terril 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, Graettinger-terril 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 Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.79 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-14.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.1 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,874

Graettinger-terril High School — Students at Graettinger-terril High School score 60% 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

44.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.5%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 64.6%
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
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
55.5%
ELA
66.4%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Graettinger-terril High School Compares

See how Graettinger-terril High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
80th percentile in IA
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

PO BOX 58 205 S Lincoln Ave, Graettinger, IA 51342

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Graettinger-terril High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. North Union High School (rated 8.4/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Armstrong), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ruthven-Ayrshire High School (rated 6.3/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Ruthven), a more accessible option. Additionally, Estherville Lincoln Central High School (rated 5.8/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Estherville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Graettinger, see our Graettinger schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Graettinger-Terril Middle School Graettinger 0.0 mi 6.9
Emmetsburg High School Emmetsburg 8.8 mi 4.8
Emmetsburg Middle School Emmetsburg 8.8 mi 8.6
West Elementary School Emmetsburg 9.2 mi 7.8
EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL Emmetsburg 10.0 mi 7.3
Demoney Elementary Estherville 11.8 mi 6.1
Estherville Lincoln Central High School Estherville 11.9 mi 5.8
Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville 11.9 mi 7.9
Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven 10.4 mi 5.7
Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven 10.4 mi 6.3
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril 12.0 mi 9.1
LITTLE MUSTANGS LEARNING CENTER Armstrong 17.6 mi
North Union High School Armstrong 17.8 mi 8.4
North Union Elementary Fenton 18.6 mi 9.5
IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer 19.5 mi 6.2
Spencer Middle School Spencer 19.7 mi 5.9
Spirit Lake Middle School Spirit Lake 21.2 mi 6.3
Spirit Lake Elementary School Spirit Lake 21.3 mi 7.2
Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake 21.4 mi 4.1
Spencer High School Spencer 20.2 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51342 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,708

Median Home Value

$101,500

Median Rent

$480/mo

Population

1,349

College Educated

15.3%

Homeownership

81.6%

Avg Commute

22.3 min

Poverty Rate

6.2%

Median Age

41.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Graettinger-terril High School has a median household income of $77,708. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $101,500, with a median rent of $480/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Clarksville High School Clarksville, IA 7.4
Kee High School Lansing, IA 7.4
Twin Cedars Jr-Sr High School Bussey, IA 7.3
Essex Junior-Senior High School Essex, IA 7.8
Keota High School Keota, IA 7.2
West Harrison Middle School/High School Mondamin, IA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Graettinger-terril High School

What grades does Graettinger-terril High School serve?

Graettinger-terril High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Graettinger-terril High School?

Graettinger-terril High School has an enrollment of approximately 118 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Graettinger-terril High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Graettinger-terril High School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Graettinger-terril High School rank in IA?

Graettinger-terril High School is ranked #256 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Graettinger-terril High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Graettinger-terril High School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Graettinger-terril High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Graettinger-terril High School has 52.5% math proficiency and 64.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Graettinger-terril High School a charter school?

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

Is Graettinger-terril High School a Title I school?

No, Graettinger-terril High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Graettinger-terril High School?

44.9% of students at Graettinger-terril 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
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (427/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
118
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Palo Alto County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Graettinger-Terril Comm School District
District Enrollment
339
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,003
District Rank
#2 of 3

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.