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Below Average

#1025 of 1,280 schools in IA

Iowa City High School

High School · Iowa City Comm School District

1900 Morningside Dr, Iowa City, IA 52245

Enrollment

1,606

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,025 of 1,280

In Iowa City

#15 of 17

public schools

In district

#27 of 29

Iowa City Comm School District

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Iowa City High School

4.8/10

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

Regina Catholic Education Center

6.5/10

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

Longfellow Elementary School

5.9/10

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

About Iowa City High School

Iowa City High School is a public high school in Iowa City, IA, part of Iowa City Comm School District. Iowa City High School serves approximately 1,606 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Iowa City High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,025 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Iowa City High School show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

44% of students at Iowa City High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.7Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.37 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.2% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.1% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-3.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8 pts
Overall Proficiency66% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)71% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College Readiness7.2Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation36.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,391
Chronic Absenteeism43.9%

Iowa City High School — Students at Iowa City High School score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 73.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 75.5% (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
78%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
88%
2013
Math
84%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
83%
ELA
78%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
80%
2016
Math
80%
ELA
73%
2017
Math
81%
ELA
75%
2018
Math
71%
ELA
66%
2019
Math
71%
ELA
66%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
73%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
74%
2025
Math
63.2%
ELA
69.1%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Iowa City High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
20th percentile in IA
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 1.7
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
99 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
36.6% participation·State avg: 1.7 AP courses·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

1900 Morningside Dr, Iowa City, IA 52245

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Iowa City High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Herbert Hoover Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alexander Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Horace Mann Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Iowa City, see our Iowa City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
REGINA CATHOLIC EDUCATION CENTER Iowa City 0.5 mi 6.5
REGINA CATHOLIC EDUCATION CENTER Iowa City 0.5 mi 6.4
Longfellow Elementary School Iowa City 0.7 mi 5.9
WILLOWWIND SCHOOL Iowa City 0.9 mi 7.1
Elizabeth Tate Alt. High School Iowa City 1.1 mi 2.2
Southeast Junior High School Iowa City 1.0 mi 5.3
Robert Lucas Elementary School Iowa City 0.9 mi 5.6
Helen Lemme Elementary School Iowa City 1.0 mi 5.8
Mark Twain Elementary Iowa City 1.2 mi 7.5
ICCSD PK-12 Online Learning Program Iowa City 1.4 mi 4.0
Horace Mann Elementary School Iowa City 1.2 mi 7.6
FAITH ACADEMY Iowa City 1.6 mi 7.2
Grant Wood Elementary School Iowa City 1.7 mi 6.2
Bohumil Shimek Elementary School Iowa City 1.8 mi 7.4
Alexander Elementary Iowa City 2.6 mi 7.8
Herbert Hoover Elementary School Iowa City 2.2 mi 8.2
Lincoln Elementary School Iowa City 2.5 mi 6.6
Ernest Horn Elementary School Iowa City 3.0 mi 5.3
Central Elementary School Coralville 3.6 mi 5.8
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IOWA CITY Coralville 4.1 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52245 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,876

Median Home Value

$293,300

Median Rent

$1,215/mo

Population

22,765

College Educated

68.3%

Homeownership

57.7%

Avg Commute

17.5 min

Poverty Rate

20.9%

Median Age

31.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
John F Kennedy High School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.8
Muscatine High School Muscatine, IA 4.8
North Scott High School Eldridge, IA 4.9
West High School Waterloo, IA 4.9
Linn-Mar High School Marion, IA 5.0
Waukee High School Waukee, IA 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Iowa City High School

What grades does Iowa City High School serve?

Iowa City High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Iowa City High School?

Iowa City High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,606 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Iowa City High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Iowa City High School is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Iowa City High School rank in IA?

Iowa City High School ranks #1,025 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Iowa City High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Iowa City High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Iowa City High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Iowa City High School has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Iowa City High School a charter school?

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

Is Iowa City High School a Title I school?

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

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

42.9% of students at Iowa City 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
Transit Score
29 Some Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,606
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
99
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Johnson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.9%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Iowa City Comm School District
District Enrollment
14,776
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,391
District Rank
#27 of 29

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