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Below Average

#1194 of 1,280 schools in IA

Marshalltown High School

High School · Marshalltown Comm School District

1602 S 2nd Ave, Marshalltown, IA 50158

Enrollment

1,613

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Marshalltown

#9 of 10

public schools

Iowa high schools

#309 of 334

In district

#9 of 10

Marshalltown Comm School District

About Marshalltown High School

Marshalltown High School serves 1,613 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, supported by 101 full-time equivalent teachers. This public high school is working with room for academic growth, as current performance shows 59% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 45% in mathematics across grade levels. The school faces academic challenges that reflect broader educational needs in the community, ranking in the 5th percentile among Iowa high schools.

Despite these hurdles, the substantial enrollment indicates the school serves as a central educational hub for the area, providing comprehensive high school programming for a diverse student population. The surrounding community of Marshalltown presents a mixed economic landscape, with a median household income of $68,322 and home values averaging $124,600. About 20% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 12.9%.

This demographic profile suggests a working-class community where educational advancement remains an important goal. Located on South 2nd Avenue in this Marshall County town of over 31,000 residents, Marshalltown High School sits at the heart of a community that balances industrial heritage with aspirations for educational improvement and economic growth.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.4Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59%
Math vs. State Avg-21.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.1 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,387

Marshalltown High School — Students at Marshalltown High School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.7%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 58.9%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 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
58%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
59%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
59%
2025
Math
49.8%
ELA
58.5%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Marshalltown High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
7th percentile in IA
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
3.4/10
Below average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
101 teachers

Location

1602 S 2nd Ave, Marshalltown, IA 50158

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Marshalltown High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BCLUW High School (rated 7.7/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Conrad), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Marshall Senior High School (rated 5.8/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Le Grand), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GMG Secondary School (rated 5.8/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Garwin), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Marshalltown, see our Marshalltown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Anson Elementary School Marshalltown 0.4 mi 8.3
Marshalltown Virtual Academy Marshalltown 0.5 mi 3.7
Lenihan Intermediate School Marshalltown 0.5 mi 5.4
J C Hoglan Elementary School Marshalltown 0.8 mi 8.2
Fisher Elementary School Marshalltown 0.7 mi 6.2
Woodbury Elementary School Marshalltown 1.4 mi 6.9
Rogers Elementary School Marshalltown 1.7 mi 5.2
B R Miller Middle School Marshalltown 1.7 mi 7.3
Franklin Elementary Sch Marshalltown 2.0 mi 6.8
GMG Elementary School Green Mountain 6.8 mi 3.7
East Marshall Senior High School Le Grand 6.8 mi 5.8
East Marshall Elementary School Laurel 10.3 mi 5.3
East Marshall Middle School Gilman 12.3 mi 4.7
BCLUW High School Conrad 13.7 mi 7.7
BCLUW Elementary School Conrad 13.9 mi 8.7
GMG Secondary School Garwin 12.8 mi 5.8
West Marshall Elementary School State Center 13.2 mi 7.7
West Marshall High School State Center 13.5 mi 4.0
Meskwaki Settlement School Tama 13.6 mi
West Marshall Middle School State Center 13.5 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50158 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,212

Median Home Value

$130,500

Median Rent

$865/mo

Population

31,163

College Educated

20.7%

Homeownership

70%

Avg Commute

17.5 min

Poverty Rate

12.6%

Median Age

37.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Marshalltown High School has a median household income of $71,212. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $130,500, with a median rent of $865/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
East High School Des Moines, IA 4.3
North Scott High School Eldridge, IA 4.3
Ottumwa High School Ottumwa, IA 4.3
Fort Dodge High School Fort Dodge, IA 4.0
Lewis Central Senior High School Council Bluffs, IA 4.4
West High School Sioux City, IA 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Marshalltown High School

What grades does Marshalltown High School serve?

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

How many students attend Marshalltown High School?

Marshalltown High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,613 students.

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

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

How does Marshalltown High School rank in IA?

Marshalltown High School is ranked #1194 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Marshalltown High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Marshalltown High School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Marshalltown High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Marshalltown High School has 49.7% math proficiency and 58.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Marshalltown High School a charter school?

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

Is Marshalltown High School a Title I school?

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

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

71.9% of students at Marshalltown 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
38 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
21 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,100/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,613
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
101
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Marshall County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Marshalltown Comm School District
District Enrollment
5,177
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,686
District Rank
#9 of 10

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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