Skip to main content

Average

#640 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 50% in state

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

6.4

Grades

10th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Johnston

#2 of 8

public schools

Iowa high schools

#126 of 334

In district

#2 of 8

Johnston Comm School District

About Johnston Senior High School

Johnston Senior High School serves 1,771 students in grades 10 through 12 in Johnston, Iowa, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 21.1:1 and 84 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school ranks #747 out of 1,288 Iowa schools, placing it in the 42nd percentile statewide, with room for academic growth as it works to better serve its large student body. The school's academic performance shows 74% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 69% reach proficiency in mathematics.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 6.0, Johnston Senior High is focusing on student development and improving educational outcomes for its diverse population. The school serves a well-educated community where 55% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, with a median household income of $97,926 and median home values of $331,900. The surrounding ZIP code 50131 has a population of 23,967 with a relatively low poverty rate of 10.5%, reflecting the area's economic stability.

Johnston Senior High School is situated in a large suburban setting in Polk County, providing students with the advantages of suburban community life while maintaining access to broader metropolitan resources.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Johnston Senior High School is 21.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.0Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74%
Math vs. State Avg+0.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.4 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)77%
vs. Expected-5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
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$11,846

Johnston Senior High School — Students at Johnston Senior High School score 72% 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

24.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 76.4%
School
State
67.8%
ELA Proficiency 78.9%
School
State
72.8%

Based on 11 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
78%
ELA
76%
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: 6.6/10.

How Johnston Senior High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
50th percentile in IA
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
84 teachers

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 7.2/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Urbandale), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Dallas Center-Grimes High School (rated 5.4/10, 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 5.3
Summit Middle School Johnston 0.9 mi 5.5
Beaver Creek Elementary School Johnston 1.1 mi 7.1
South Prairie Elementary Grimes 2.0 mi 6.4
Heritage Elementary Grimes 2.3 mi 3.6
Timber Ridge Elementary Johnston 2.6 mi 5.6
North Ridge Elementary Grimes 3.0 mi 5.2
Johnston Middle School Johnston 2.7 mi 6.1
Urbandale Middle School Urbandale 3.3 mi 4.9
Webster Elementary School Urbandale 3.4 mi 6.9
Henry A Wallace Elementary School Johnston 2.9 mi 5.9
DC-G Oak View Grimes 3.0 mi 5.7
Urbandale High School Urbandale 3.6 mi 7.2
Olmsted Elementary School Urbandale 3.8 mi 7.7
Karen Acres Elementary School Urbandale 4.1 mi 7.5
Lawson Elementary School Johnston 3.4 mi 6.1
Dallas Center-Grimes High School Grimes 3.4 mi 5.4
Crestview School of Inquiry Clive 4.8 mi 5.0
ST PIUS X CATHOLIC SCHOOL Urbandale 4.4 mi 4.8
Indian Hills Junior High School Clive 5.2 mi 8.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Johnston Senior High School has a median household income of $103,316. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $347,100, with a median rent of $1,284/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Ankeny High School Ankeny, IA 6.4
Bettendorf High School Bettendorf, IA 6.5
Roosevelt High School Des Moines, IA 6.5
Pleasant Valley High School Bettendorf, IA 6.2
Ankeny Centennial High School Ankeny, IA 6.7
Iowa City High School Iowa City, IA 6.7

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 is ranked #640 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Johnston Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Johnston Senior High School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Johnston Senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Johnston Senior High School has 76.4% math proficiency and 78.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
Elevated (826/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.