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Average

#844 of 1,280 schools in IA

Johnston Senior High School

High School · Johnston Comm School District

PO BOX 10 6500 NW 100th Street, Johnston, IA 50131

Enrollment

1,771

Student-Teacher

21.1:1

Score

5.7

Grades

10th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#844 of 1,280

In Johnston

#5 of 8

public schools

In district

#5 of 8

Johnston Comm School District

Academic performance

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Johnston Senior High School

5.7/10

High School in Johnston · grades 10th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Horizon Elementary

4.8/10

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

Summit Middle School

6.9/10

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

About Johnston Senior High School

Johnston Senior High School is a public high school in Johnston, IA, part of Johnston Comm School District. Johnston Senior High School serves approximately 1,771 students, and covers grades 10th-12th, and has a 21.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Johnston Senior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #844 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Johnston Senior High School show 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.3 pts below IA schools
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Johnston Senior High School runs 21.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

31% of students at Johnston Senior 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 Progress5.3Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.94 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.4Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency79.5% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency82.7% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+10.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.2 pts
Overall Proficiency81% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)81% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate97%
AP Participation24.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,378
Chronic Absenteeism30.9%

Johnston Senior High School — Students at Johnston Senior High School score 81% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 83.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.8% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 83.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.8% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 33 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
85%
ELA
84%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
91%
ELA
90%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2015
Math
89%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
91%
ELA
88%
2017
Math
90%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
78%
ELA
76%
2019
Math
78%
ELA
76%
2020*
Math
76%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
76%
ELA
79%
2022
Math
69%
ELA
74%
2025
Math
79.5%
ELA
82.7%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How Johnston Senior High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
34th percentile in IA
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
5.3/10
Average
Environment
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 1.7
Sports
21
9 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
84 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
24.9% participation·State avg: 1.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics21sports offered
9 boys'·12 girls'·30 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

PO BOX 10 6500 NW 100th Street, Johnston, IA 50131

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Johnston Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Urbandale High School (rated 5.8/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Dallas Center-Grimes High School (rated 5.2/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Grimes), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Johnston, see our Johnston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Horizon Elementary Johnston 0.8 mi 4.8
Summit Middle School Johnston 0.9 mi 6.9
Beaver Creek Elementary School Johnston 1.1 mi 5.4
South Prairie Elementary Grimes 2.0 mi 8.2
Heritage Elementary Grimes 2.3 mi 3.3
Timber Ridge Elementary Johnston 2.6 mi 6.0
North Ridge Elementary Grimes 3.0 mi 8.0
Johnston Middle School Johnston 2.7 mi 5.1
Urbandale Middle School Urbandale 3.3 mi 6.1
Webster Elementary School Urbandale 3.4 mi 7.4
Henry A Wallace Elementary School Johnston 2.9 mi 7.5
DC-G Oak View Grimes 3.0 mi 7.6
Urbandale High School Urbandale 3.6 mi 5.8
Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale 3.8 mi 8.4
Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale 4.1 mi 7.4
Lawson Elementary School Johnston 3.4 mi 6.8
Dallas Center-Grimes High School Grimes 3.4 mi 5.2
Crestview School of Inquiry Clive 4.8 mi 3.8
ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale 4.4 mi 4.8
Indian Hills Junior High School Clive 5.2 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50131 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$103,316

Median Home Value

$347,100

Median Rent

$1,284/mo

Population

24,388

College Educated

58%

Homeownership

72.3%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

7.6%

Median Age

38.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ankeny High School Ankeny, IA 5.8
Urbandale High School Urbandale, IA 5.8
Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny, IA 5.5
Northwest High School Waukee, IA 5.5
Bettendorf High School Bettendorf, IA 6.0
West Senior High School Iowa City, IA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Johnston Senior High School

What grades does Johnston Senior High School serve?

Johnston Senior High School serves students in grades 10th through 12th.

How many students attend Johnston Senior High School?

Johnston Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,771 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Johnston Senior High School is 21.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Johnston Senior High School rank in IA?

Johnston Senior High School ranks #844 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Johnston Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Johnston Senior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Johnston Senior High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Johnston Senior High School has 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Johnston Senior High School a charter school?

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

Is Johnston Senior High School a Title I school?

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

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

24.7% of students at Johnston 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
1,771
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
84
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Polk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.9%
4-Year Graduation
97.0%

District

Johnston Comm School District
District Enrollment
7,480
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,378
District Rank
#5 of 8

How we rate schools

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