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Very Good

#357 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 28% in state

Grinnell Community Senior High School

High School · Grinnell-Newburg Comm School District

1333 Sunset St, Grinnell, IA 50112

Enrollment

486

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grinnell

#1 of 5

public schools

Iowa high schools

#61 of 334

In district

#1 of 5

Grinnell-Newburg Comm School District

Academic performance

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Grinnell Community Senior High School

Grinnell Community Senior High School is a regular public high school located in the charming town of Grinnell, Iowa. Situated on Sunset Street, this institution serves students from ninth through twelfth grade with an enrollment of 486 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1. The dedicated teaching staff includes 32 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support each student's academic journey.

Grinnell Community Senior High School performs well in core subject areas, with 83% of students meeting proficiency standards in ELA/Reading and 78% in Math. In Science, the school boasts a proficient or above rate of 77%, indicating strong performance across these critical subjects. While the MySchoolScout rating places the school at 5.6 out of 10 with a state ranking of #605 out of 1288 schools, there is room for continued academic growth and development.

Nestled in a remote town setting, Grinnell Community Senior High School benefits from a close-knit community environment where students can participate actively in extracurricular activities and form strong connections with their peers and teachers. The school's rural location offers a unique blend of small-town charm and supportive educational opportunities for its students.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76%
Math vs. State Avg+5.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.1 pts
Overall Proficiency74%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected+1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College Readiness9.4Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation20.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,638

Grinnell Community Senior High School — Students at Grinnell Community Senior High School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.1%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 83.3%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 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
82%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
83%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
76%
2025
Math
79.2%
ELA
86.2%

* 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: 5.4/10.

How Grinnell Community Senior High School Compares

See how Grinnell Community Senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in IA
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

1333 Sunset St, Grinnell, IA 50112

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Grinnell Community Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Montezuma High School (rated 6.4/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Montezuma), with a comparable rating. Another option is Lynnville-Sully High School (rated 5.9/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Sully), a more accessible option. Additionally, East Marshall Senior High School (rated 5.8/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Le Grand), a more accessible option. For more schools in Grinnell, see our Grinnell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Bailey Park Elementary School Grinnell 0.3 mi 7.0
Davis Elementary School Grinnell 1.2 mi 6.8
CENTRAL IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grinnell 1.3 mi 5.2
Fairview Elementary School Grinnell 1.4 mi 6.8
Grinnell Community Middle School Grinnell 1.8 mi 6.9
East Marshall Middle School Gilman 9.1 mi 4.7
Lynnville-Sully High School Sully 12.8 mi 5.9
Lynnville-Sully Elementary School Sully 12.8 mi 7.7
Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully 12.8 mi 6.7
SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully 13.2 mi 4.9
East Marshall Elementary School Laurel 13.0 mi 5.3
Meskwaki Settlement School Tama 17.4 mi
East Marshall Senior High School Le Grand 17.9 mi 5.8
Montezuma Elementary School Montezuma 15.6 mi 7.3
Montezuma High School Montezuma 15.6 mi 6.4
Montezuma Junior High School Montezuma 15.6 mi 7.9
South Tama County Elementary School Tama 17.4 mi 6.8
South Tama County High School Tama 17.5 mi 5.3
Aurora Heights Elementary School Newton 15.2 mi 5.2
Berg Middle School Newton 15.2 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50112 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,707

Median Home Value

$198,100

Median Rent

$863/mo

Population

11,776

College Educated

37.6%

Homeownership

68.8%

Avg Commute

15.9 min

Poverty Rate

9.5%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Grinnell Community Senior High School has a median household income of $64,707. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,100, with a median rent of $863/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
Belmond-Klemme Community Jr-Sr High School Belmond, IA 7.3
Clear Lake High School Clear Lake, IA 7.3
Colfax-Mingo Jr/Sr High School Colfax, IA 7.1
MOC-Floyd Valley High School Orange City, IA 7.1
Wilton Jr-Sr High School Wilton, IA 7.1
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School Garner, IA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Grinnell Community Senior High School

What grades does Grinnell Community Senior High School serve?

Grinnell Community Senior High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Grinnell Community Senior High School?

Grinnell Community Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 486 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Grinnell Community Senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Grinnell Community Senior High School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Grinnell Community Senior High School rank in IA?

Grinnell Community Senior High School is ranked #357 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Grinnell Community Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Grinnell Community Senior High School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Grinnell Community Senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Grinnell Community Senior High School has 78.1% math proficiency and 83.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Grinnell Community Senior High School a charter school?

No, Grinnell Community Senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Grinnell Community Senior High School a Title I school?

No, Grinnell Community Senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Grinnell Community Senior High School?

32.1% of students at Grinnell Community Senior 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
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
57 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,407/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grinnell). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
486
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Poweshiek County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Grinnell-Newburg Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,577
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,510
District Rank
#1 of 5

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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