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Average

#887 of 1,280 schools in IA

Indianola High School

High School · Indianola Comm School District

1304 E 1st, Indianola, IA 50125

Enrollment

1,139

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

5.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Indianola

#4 of 6

public schools

Iowa high schools

#205 of 334

In district

#4 of 6

Indianola Comm School District

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Indianola High School

Indianola High School serves 1,139 students in grades 9-12 in this Warren County community, offering a substantial high school experience with 64 full-time teachers maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1. The school currently ranks in the 31st percentile among Iowa high schools, with academic performance showing room for growth as students work toward stronger outcomes. In standardized assessments, 70% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, while 64% meet proficiency standards in mathematics.

These results reflect the school's ongoing focus on student development and academic improvement across all grade levels. The school draws from a stable community where families enjoy a median household income of $84,173 and median home values of $230,200. With 33% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 7.5%, the surrounding area provides a supportive environment for education.

The ZIP code area serves over 20,000 residents who value educational opportunities for their children. Indianola High School sits in a town positioned on the fringe of an urban area, giving students access to both small-town community connections and proximity to broader metropolitan resources and opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70%
Math vs. State Avg-2.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.1 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)77%
vs. Expected-9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
College Readiness5.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,417

Indianola High School — Students at Indianola High School score 67% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.1%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 77.5%
School
State
74.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
67%
ELA
70%
2021*
Math
66%
ELA
70%
2022
Math
64%
ELA
70%
2025
Math
78.6%
ELA
85%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Indianola High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
31th percentile in IA
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
64 teachers

Location

1304 E 1st, Indianola, IA 50125

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Indianola High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Southeast Warren Jr-Sr High School (rated 7.1/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Liberty Center), which scores notably higher. Another option is Norwalk Senior High School (rated 5.9/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Norwalk), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Carlisle High School (rated 5.0/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Carlisle), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Indianola, see our Indianola schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Indianola Middle School Indianola 0.3 mi 6.3
Emerson Elementary School Indianola 0.4 mi 5.0
VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indianola 1.0 mi 3.9
Irving Elementary School Indianola 1.2 mi 7.7
Whittier Elementary School Indianola 1.8 mi 4.7
Wilder Elementary School Indianola 2.5 mi 7.5
Southeast Warren Primary Milo 7.0 mi 8.1
Carlisle Middle School Carlisle 9.8 mi 6.5
Carlisle Elementary School Carlisle 9.9 mi 6.9
Carlisle High School Carlisle 9.9 mi 5.0
Southeast Warren Jr-Sr High School Liberty Center 10.9 mi 7.1
Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines 11.1 mi 5.0
Norwalk Middle School Norwalk 10.2 mi 5.8
Norwalk Senior High School Norwalk 10.3 mi 5.9
McCombs Middle School Des Moines 11.3 mi 5.5
Hartford Upper Elementary Carlisle 10.2 mi 7.2
Oviatt Elementary School Norwalk 10.5 mi 5.2
MAIN STREET SCHOOL Norwalk 10.7 mi
Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines 12.5 mi 6.3
NORWALK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Norwalk 10.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50125 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,463

Median Home Value

$248,700

Median Rent

$975/mo

Population

20,009

College Educated

33.7%

Homeownership

74.6%

Avg Commute

23 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

38.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Indianola High School has a median household income of $86,463. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,700, with a median rent of $975/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Western Dubuque High School Epworth, IA 5.7
George Washington High School Cedar Rapids, IA 5.8
Muscatine High School Muscatine, IA 5.8
Spencer High School Spencer, IA 5.8
Dubuque Senior High School Dubuque, IA 5.6
East High School Waterloo, IA 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Indianola High School

What grades does Indianola High School serve?

Indianola High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Indianola High School?

Indianola High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,139 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Indianola High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Indianola High School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Indianola High School rank in IA?

Indianola High School is ranked #887 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Indianola High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Indianola High School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Indianola High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Indianola High School has 72.1% math proficiency and 77.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Indianola High School a charter school?

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

Is Indianola High School a Title I school?

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

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

25.5% of students at Indianola 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
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,751/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,139
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
64
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Warren County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Indianola Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,634
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,822
District Rank
#4 of 6

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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