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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Math vs. State Avg+10.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.9 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)76%
vs. Expected+3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College Readiness1.1Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,912

Harlan High School — Students at Harlan High School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).

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 78.3%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 82.6%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
87%
ELA
87%
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: 2.7/10.

How Harlan High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
10th percentile in IA
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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