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Very Good

#288 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 22% in state

Griswold Middle/high School

High School · Griswold Comm School District

20 Madison St., Griswold, IA 51535

Enrollment

197

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

7.4

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Griswold

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa high schools

#46 of 334

In district

#1 of 2

Griswold Comm School District

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Griswold Middle/high School

Griswold Middle/High School serves 197 students in grades 6-12 in this close-knit rural Iowa community. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1, allowing for personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships. Academically, Griswold Middle/High School performs well above average, earning a 7.6 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #131 out of 1,288 Iowa schools, placing it in the 90th percentile statewide.

Students demonstrate solid academic achievement with 82% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 72% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics. These strong results reflect the school's commitment to educational excellence in its intimate learning environment. The school serves families in ZIP code 51535, where the median household income of $81,326 supports a stable community with low poverty rates at just 6.0%.

Median home values of $128,300 reflect the area's affordability, while 18% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Located on Madison Street in Cass County, Griswold Middle/High School sits in a remote rural setting that fosters a strong sense of community among its 1,730 area residents.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 197 students, Griswold Middle/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.

Located in a rural area, Griswold Middle/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 Progress4.9Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.06 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.2Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Math vs. State Avg-0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.3 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)72%
vs. Expected+5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,782

Griswold Middle/high School — Students at Griswold Middle/high School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.1%
School
State
70.4%
ELA Proficiency 79.0%
School
State
75.5%

Based on 20 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
67%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
83%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
71.6%
ELA
77.3%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Griswold Middle/high School Compares

See how Griswold Middle/high School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
78th percentile in IA
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

20 Madison St., Griswold, IA 51535

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Griswold Middle/high School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ExiraElk Horn-Kimballton High School (rated 7.8/10, 24.6 miles away, in nearby Elk Horn), which scores slightly higher. Another option is AHSTW High School (rated 6.9/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Avoca), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Red Oak Junior/Senior High School (rated 6.7/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Red Oak), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Griswold, see our Griswold schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Griswold Elementary Griswold 0.0 mi 7.2
Washington Elementary School Atlantic 12.8 mi 7.2
Atlantic Middle School Atlantic 12.9 mi 7.7
Schuler Elementary School Atlantic 12.9 mi 6.2
Atlantic High School Atlantic 12.9 mi 4.0
Red Oak Junior/Senior High School Red Oak 15.7 mi 6.7
Inman Elementary School Red Oak 15.9 mi 6.3
Red Oak Early Childhood Center Red Oak 16.8 mi 6.3
Stanton Elementary School Stanton 17.7 mi 7.3
Stanton High School Stanton 17.7 mi 6.1
Oakland Elementary Oakland 14.0 mi 7.2
Riverside Middle/Senior High School Oakland 14.1 mi 6.3
Carson Elementary Carson 14.7 mi 3.7
AHSTW Primary School Avoca 19.2 mi 6.7
AHSTW High School Avoca 19.2 mi 6.9
AHSTW Intermediate School Avoca 19.2 mi 6.6
Sylvia Enarson Elementary School Villisca 22.6 mi 8.0
Southwest Valley Middle School Villisca 23.0 mi 8.0
ExiraElk Horn-Kimballton High School Elk Horn 24.6 mi 7.8
CAM Elementary School Massena 19.1 mi 3.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51535 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,929

Median Home Value

$135,500

Median Rent

$952/mo

Population

1,768

College Educated

19.8%

Homeownership

82.8%

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

50

Community Profile

The community surrounding Griswold Middle/high School has a median household income of $83,929. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $135,500, with a median rent of $952/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% 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
Aplington-Parkersburg High School Parkersburg, IA 7.4
Clarksville High School Clarksville, IA 7.4
English Valleys Jr-Sr High School North English, IA 7.4
Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park, IA 7.4
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School Hartley, IA 7.4
Interstate 35 High School Truro, IA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Griswold Middle/high School

What grades does Griswold Middle/high School serve?

Griswold Middle/high School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Griswold Middle/high School?

Griswold Middle/high School has an enrollment of approximately 197 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Griswold Middle/high School?

The student-teacher ratio at Griswold Middle/high School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Griswold Middle/high School rank in IA?

Griswold Middle/high School is ranked #288 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Griswold Middle/high School's MySchoolScout rating?

Griswold Middle/high School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Griswold Middle/high School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Griswold Middle/high School has 71.1% math proficiency and 79.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Griswold Middle/high School a charter school?

No, Griswold Middle/high School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Griswold Middle/high School a Title I school?

No, Griswold Middle/high School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Griswold Middle/high School?

34.0% of students at Griswold Middle/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
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (396/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
197
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Cass County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Griswold Comm School District
District Enrollment
436
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,392
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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