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Average

#806 of 1,280 schools in IA

Independence Junior Senior High School

High School · Independence Comm School District

700 20th Ave SW, Independence, IA 50644

Enrollment

724

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

5.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#806 of 1,280

In Independence

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

Independence Comm School District

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Independence Junior Senior High School

5.8/10

High School in Independence · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Elementary School

6.3/10

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

East Elementary School

7.6/10

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

About Independence Junior Senior High School

Independence Junior Senior High School is a public high school in Independence, IA, part of Independence Comm School District. Independence Junior Senior High School serves approximately 724 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Independence Junior Senior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #806 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Independence Junior Senior High School show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with IA schools
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • IA avg 6.0

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.7% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-3.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.1 pts
Overall Proficiency70% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)76% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness6.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation2.3%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,940
Chronic Absenteeism18%

Independence Junior Senior High School — Students at Independence Junior Senior High School score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
69.9% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 73.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.9% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 40 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
82%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
68%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
68%
2013
Math
86%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
83%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
81%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
85%
ELA
75%
2017
Math
85%
ELA
75%
2018
Math
77%
ELA
71%
2019
Math
77%
ELA
71%
2020*
Math
74%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
74%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
71%
ELA
76%
2025
Math
69%
ELA
71.7%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Independence Junior Senior High School Compares

See how Independence Junior Senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
37th percentile in IA
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 1.7
Sports
19
9 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.0%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered IB Programme
2.3% participation·State avg: 1.7 AP courses·0 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics19sports offered
9 boys'·10 girls'·42 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

700 20th Ave SW, Independence, IA 50644

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence Junior Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. East Buchanan High School (rated 6.6/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Winthrop), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Jesup High School (rated 5.8/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Jesup), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Oelwein High School (rated 3.2/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Oelwein), a more accessible option. For more schools in Independence, see our Independence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.5 mi
School Distance Rating
West Elementary School Independence 0.5 mi 6.3
East Elementary School Independence 0.6 mi 7.6
Early Childhood Center Independence 0.6 mi 2.9
ST JOHNS SCHOOL Independence 1.4 mi 6.2
INDEPENDENCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Independence 2.0 mi
Perry #1 Elementary School Jesup 6.0 mi
Prairie Grove Elementary School Jesup 8.1 mi
ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Jesup 7.5 mi 6.0
Jesup Elementary School Jesup 7.6 mi 7.9
Jesup High School Jesup 7.6 mi 5.8
Jesup Middle School Jesup 7.6 mi 7.3
Triumph Elementary School Jesup 9.2 mi 2.4
Rural Elementary School #2 Fairbank 10.9 mi
Rural Elementary School #1 Fairbank 11.9 mi
East Buchanan Elementary School Winthrop 9.2 mi 6.3
East Buchanan High School Winthrop 9.2 mi 6.6
East Buchanan Middle School Winthrop 9.2 mi 6.2
Rural Elementary School #4 Fairbank 12.0 mi
Little Husky Learning Center Oelwein 14.5 mi 4.7
Oelwein High School Oelwein 14.5 mi 3.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50644 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,861

Median Home Value

$174,000

Median Rent

$770/mo

Population

8,475

College Educated

23.7%

Homeownership

77.6%

Avg Commute

22.7 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

42.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Central DeWitt High School De Witt, IA 5.8
Humboldt High School Humboldt, IA 5.7
Nevada High School Nevada, IA 5.7
Sioux Center High School Sioux Center, IA 5.7
Winterset Senior High School Winterset, IA 5.7
Harlan High School Harlan, IA 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independence Junior Senior High School

What grades does Independence Junior Senior High School serve?

Independence Junior Senior High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Independence Junior Senior High School?

Independence Junior Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 724 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence Junior Senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Independence Junior Senior High School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Independence Junior Senior High School rank in IA?

Independence Junior Senior High School ranks #806 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Independence Junior Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence Junior Senior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Independence Junior Senior High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Independence Junior Senior High School has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Independence Junior Senior High School a charter school?

No, Independence Junior Senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Independence Junior Senior High School a Title I school?

No, Independence Junior Senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Independence Junior Senior High School?

34.7% of students at Independence Junior Senior 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
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
724
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Buchanan County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.0%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

Independence Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,480
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,940
District Rank
#3 of 4

How we rate schools

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