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Average

#784 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

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#784 of 1,280

In Harlan

#2 of 4

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

Harlan Comm School District

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Harlan High School

5.9/10

High School in Harlan · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Harlan Community Middle School

7.5/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Harlan Primary

5.7/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Harlan High School

Harlan High School is a public high school in Harlan, IA, part of Harlan Comm School District. Harlan High School serves approximately 477 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Harlan High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #784 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Harlan High School show 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 86% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with IA schools
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • IA avg 6.0

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.83 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76.2% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency81.5% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+9.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.4 pts
Overall Proficiency79% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)80% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness5.2Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation0.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,544
Chronic Absenteeism27.7%

Harlan High School — Students at Harlan High School score 79% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 86.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 86.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.2% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2015
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2019
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2020*
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
76.2%
ELA
81.5%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Harlan High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
39th percentile in IA
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
5.8/10
Average
Environment
5.9/10
Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 1.7
Sports
9
9 boys' · 0 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
0.2% participation·State avg: 1.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics9sports offered
9 boys'·0 girls'·9 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. AHSTW High School (rated 8.1/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Avoca), which scores notably higher. Another option is Boyer Valley Middle/High School (rated 7.7/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Dunlap), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Denison High School (rated 7.0/10, 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 7.5
Harlan Primary Harlan 0.2 mi 5.7
Harlan Intermediate School Harlan 0.2 mi 4.5
SHELBY COUNTY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Harlan 0.7 mi 7.0
AHSTW Primary School Avoca 13.0 mi 8.6
AHSTW High School Avoca 13.0 mi 8.1
AHSTW Intermediate School Avoca 13.0 mi 8.2
Irwin Elementary School Irwin 11.7 mi 8.1
ExiraElk Horn-Kimballton High School Elk Horn 15.2 mi 6.7
Tri-Center Middle School Neola 17.0 mi 5.8
Tri-Center Elementary School Neola 17.0 mi 8.4
Tri-Center High School Neola 17.0 mi 4.8
Boyer Valley Elementary School Dow City 20.2 mi 8.6
Boyer Valley Middle/High School Dunlap 19.0 mi 7.7
ST ROSE OF LIMA SCHOOL Denison 24.7 mi 5.0
Oakland Elementary Oakland 24.7 mi 3.8
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Denison 24.8 mi 6.5
Broadway Elementary School Denison 24.8 mi 7.7
Denison Elementary School Denison 24.9 mi 4.8
Denison High School Denison 25.5 mi 7.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Washington High School Cherokee, IA 5.9
Danville Junior-Senior High School Danville, IA 6.0
Glenwood Senior High School Glenwood, IA 6.0
John R Mott Jr/Hi School Postville, IA 6.0
Mount Vernon High School Mount Vernon, IA 6.0
West Marshall High School State Center, IA 6.0

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 ranks #784 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Harlan High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Harlan High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Harlan High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Harlan High School has 86% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 86% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.7%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

Harlan Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,505
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,544
District Rank
#2 of 4

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