Below Average
#1155 of 1,280 schools in IA
Harlan High School
High School · Harlan Comm School District
2102 Durant St, Harlan, IA 51537
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
477
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harlan
#3 of 4
public schools
Iowa high schools
#295 of 334
In district
#3 of 4
Harlan Comm School District
Academic performance
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Harlan High School
Harlan High School serves 477 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Harlan, Iowa, offering a solid educational foundation with a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1 across 36 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #154 out of 1,288 high schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile among Iowa schools. Students at Harlan High School achieve impressive proficiency rates, with 82% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and Reading, while 77% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics.
These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective instruction across core subject areas. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $66,615 and median home values sit at $155,600. With a relatively low poverty rate of 9.8% and nearly a quarter of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the surrounding area provides a supportive environment for student learning and achievement.
Harlan High School operates as a regular public school in this close-knit Iowa town of approximately 6,852 residents, where students benefit from both strong academic programs and the advantages of a smaller community setting that fosters personal connections and school pride.
Score Breakdown
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Harlan High School — Students at Harlan High School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.7/10.
How Harlan High School Compares
See how Harlan High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 82% (2022).
Location
2102 Durant St, Harlan, IA 51537
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harlan High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ExiraElk Horn-Kimballton High School (rated 7.8/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Elk Horn), which scores notably higher. Another option is AHSTW High School (rated 6.9/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Avoca), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Denison High School (rated 6.7/10, 25.5 miles away, in nearby Denison), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harlan, see our Harlan schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 25.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Harlan Community Middle School Harlan | 0.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Harlan Primary Harlan | 0.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Harlan Intermediate School Harlan | 0.2 mi | 5.2 |
| SHELBY COUNTY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Harlan | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| AHSTW Primary School Avoca | 13.0 mi | 6.7 |
| AHSTW High School Avoca | 13.0 mi | 6.9 |
| AHSTW Intermediate School Avoca | 13.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Irwin Elementary School Irwin | 11.7 mi | 6.0 |
| ExiraElk Horn-Kimballton High School Elk Horn | 15.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Tri-Center Middle School Neola | 17.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Tri-Center Elementary School Neola | 17.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Tri-Center High School Neola | 17.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Boyer Valley Elementary School Dow City | 20.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Boyer Valley Middle/High School Dunlap | 19.0 mi | 6.3 |
| ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Denison | 24.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Oakland Elementary Oakland | 24.7 mi | 7.2 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Denison | 24.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Broadway Elementary School Denison | 24.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Denison Elementary School Denison | 24.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Denison High School Denison | 25.5 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51537 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,353
Median Home Value
$161,800
Median Rent
$854/mo
Population
6,480
College Educated
23.9%
Homeownership
73.3%
Avg Commute
14.6 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Median Age
44.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harlan High School has a median household income of $62,353. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,800, with a median rent of $854/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 |
|---|---|
| Fort Madison High School Fort Madison, IA | 4.5 |
| Knoxville High School Knoxville, IA | 4.5 |
| Anamosa High School Anamosa, IA | 4.6 |
| Metro High School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.6 |
| PCM High School Monroe, IA | 4.4 |
| Wapsie Valley High School Fairbank, IA | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harlan High School
What grades does Harlan High School serve?
Harlan High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Harlan High School?
Harlan High School has an enrollment of approximately 477 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harlan High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Harlan High School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harlan High School rank in IA?
Harlan High School is ranked #1155 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Harlan High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harlan High School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Harlan High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harlan High School has 78.3% math proficiency and 82.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harlan High School a charter school?
No, Harlan High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harlan High School a Title I school?
No, Harlan High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harlan High School?
27.0% of students at Harlan 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (153/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 477
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Shelby County
- Phone
- (712) 755-3101
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harlan Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,505
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,544
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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 methodologyRelated reading
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