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Average

#979 of 1,280 schools in IA

Grundy Center High School

High School · Grundy Center Comm School District

1006 M Ave, Grundy Center, IA 50638

Enrollment

247

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grundy Center

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#239 of 334

In district

#3 of 3

Grundy Center Comm School District

Equity

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Grundy Center High School

Grundy Center High School serves 247 students in grades 9-12 in rural Grundy Center, Iowa, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranking 37th out of 1,288 Iowa high schools, the school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement that places it in the 97th percentile statewide. Students benefit from personalized attention with a favorable 12.3-to-1 student-teacher ratio and 20 full-time equivalent teachers.

The school's academic excellence shines through impressive proficiency rates, with 87% of students performing at or above grade level in English Language Arts and 77% meeting standards in mathematics. These strong results reflect the school's commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success. The school draws from a stable, middle-class community where the median household income reaches $81,446 and only 8.2% of residents live below the poverty line.

While 28% of local adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, families clearly prioritize education, as evidenced by their children's outstanding academic performance. Grundy Center High School sits at 1006 M Avenue in this close-knit rural Iowa community of approximately 3,330 residents, where strong community values and educational support create an environment conducive to student achievement.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Grundy Center 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 Progress3.8Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.56 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency87%
Math vs. State Avg+10.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.9 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected+8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College Readiness1.5Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,639

Grundy Center High School — Students at Grundy Center High School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 85.4%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 91.5%
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
95%
ELA
95%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2025
Math
87.8%
ELA
93.3%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Grundy Center High School Compares

See how Grundy Center High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
24th percentile in IA
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
8.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

1006 M Ave, Grundy Center, IA 50638

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Grundy Center High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gladbrook-Reinbeck Jr. High & High School (rated 8.1/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Reinbeck), which scores notably higher. Another option is BCLUW High School (rated 7.7/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Conrad), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Aplington-Parkersburg High School (rated 7.4/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Parkersburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grundy Center, see our Grundy Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Grundy Center Middle School Grundy Center 0.0 mi 8.0
Grundy Center Elementary School Grundy Center 0.3 mi 6.1
BCLUW Elementary School Conrad 9.9 mi 8.7
BCLUW High School Conrad 10.0 mi 7.7
AGWSR Middle School Wellsburg 9.5 mi 6.7
AGWSR Elementary at Wellsburg Wellsburg 9.5 mi 7.6
Gladbrook-Reinbeck Jr. High & High School Reinbeck 9.5 mi 8.1
Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary School Reinbeck 9.7 mi 6.4
Dike Elementary School Dike 10.9 mi 7.2
Dike-New Hartford High School Dike 10.9 mi 6.9
TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wellsburg 10.9 mi 5.6
Aplington-Parkersburg High School Parkersburg 15.0 mi 7.4
Parkersburg Elementary School Parkersburg 15.1 mi 7.2
Aplington Elementary School Aplington 16.4 mi 5.7
Aplington-Parkersburg Middle School Aplington 16.4 mi 7.8
GMG Elementary School Green Mountain 17.3 mi 3.7
Dike-New Hartford Junior High School New Hartford 16.9 mi 6.8
New Hartford Elementary School New Hartford 16.9 mi 6.0
GMG Secondary School Garwin 18.7 mi 5.8
Choice Charter School Union 16.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50638 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,500

Median Home Value

$181,000

Median Rent

$681/mo

Population

3,474

College Educated

25.2%

Homeownership

80.5%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

38.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Grundy Center High School has a median household income of $79,500. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $181,000, with a median rent of $681/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% 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
Danville Junior-Senior High School Danville, IA 5.4
North Cedar Jr/Sr High School Clarence, IA 5.4
Durant Junior/Senior High School Durant, IA 5.5
Westwood High School Sloan, IA 5.5
Central Middle School/High School Elkader, IA 5.3
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School Clarion, IA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Grundy Center High School

What grades does Grundy Center High School serve?

Grundy Center High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Grundy Center High School?

Grundy Center High School has an enrollment of approximately 247 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Grundy Center High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Grundy Center High School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Grundy Center High School rank in IA?

Grundy Center High School is ranked #979 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Grundy Center High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Grundy Center High School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Grundy Center High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Grundy Center High School has 85.4% math proficiency and 91.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Grundy Center High School a charter school?

No, Grundy Center High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Grundy Center High School a Title I school?

No, Grundy Center High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Grundy Center High School?

30.4% of students at Grundy Center 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

City Safety
Average (321/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
247
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Grundy County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Grundy Center Comm School District
District Enrollment
796
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,041
District Rank
#3 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

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