Average
#453 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 35% in state
Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School
High School · Martensdale-St Marys Comm School District
PO BOX 350 390 Burlington, Martensdale, IA 50160
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
6.9
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
239
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
6.9
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Martensdale
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa high schools
#82 of 334
In district
#1 of 2
Martensdale-St Marys Comm School District
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School
Martensdale-St Marys Jr-Sr High School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Martensdale, Iowa. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 239 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.3:1 with 18 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Martensdale-St Marys Jr-Sr High School shows that 80% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts, 71% in Math, and an impressive 91% in Science.
However, the school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.6 out of 10, placing it at the 30th percentile among Iowa schools. Despite the lower overall ranking, Martensdale-St Marys Jr-Sr High School continues to focus on student development and academic growth across various subjects. The strong performance in Science suggests a particular strength in this area, while there is room for improvement in Math proficiency.
Given its rural setting, the school likely provides unique opportunities for students to connect with their community through hands-on learning experiences. Martensdale-St Marys Jr-Sr High School sits in a close-knit rural neighborhood where it plays an important role in the educational and social life of the local youth.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School — Students at Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 18 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.0/10.
How Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School Compares
See how Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 70% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 350 390 Burlington, Martensdale, IA 50160
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Interstate 35 Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Truro), which scores notably higher. Another option is Orchard Hills Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Norwalk), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Irving Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Indianola), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Martensdale, see our Martensdale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Martensdale Elementary School Martensdale | 0.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Orchard Hills Elementary Norwalk | 7.1 mi | 7.7 |
| NORWALK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Norwalk | 7.4 mi | — |
| Oviatt Elementary School Norwalk | 7.4 mi | 5.2 |
| MAIN STREET SCHOOL Norwalk | 7.7 mi | — |
| Norwalk Middle School Norwalk | 7.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Norwalk Senior High School Norwalk | 7.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Lakewood Elementary School Norwalk | 9.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Wilder Elementary School Indianola | 7.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Whittier Elementary School Indianola | 8.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Irving Elementary School Indianola | 8.9 mi | 7.7 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indianola | 9.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Morris Elementary School Des Moines | 11.7 mi | 6.8 |
| McCombs Middle School Des Moines | 11.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Jordan Creek Elementary School West Des Moines | 12.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Valley Southwoods West Des Moines | 13.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines | 11.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Emerson Elementary School Indianola | 9.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Learning Resource Center West Des Moines | 13.2 mi | — |
| Interstate 35 Elementary School Truro | 12.6 mi | 8.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50160 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,750
Median Home Value
$176,400
Median Rent
$863/mo
Population
588
College Educated
16.8%
Homeownership
75.8%
Avg Commute
28.4 min
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Median Age
29
Community Profile
The community surrounding Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School has a median household income of $53,750. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,400, with a median rent of $863/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| AHSTW High School Avoca, IA | 6.9 |
| Dike-New Hartford High School Dike, IA | 6.9 |
| Shenandoah High School Shenandoah, IA | 6.9 |
| Denver Senior High School Denver, IA | 7.0 |
| Earlham Senior High School Earlham, IA | 7.0 |
| Maple Valley-Anthon Oto High School Mapleton, IA | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School
What grades does Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School serve?
Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School?
Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School has an enrollment of approximately 239 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School rank in IA?
Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School is ranked #453 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School has 70.9% math proficiency and 79.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School a charter school?
No, Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School a Title I school?
No, Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr High School?
24.7% of students at Martensdale-st Marys Jr-sr 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 239
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Warren County
- Phone
- (641) 764-2486
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Martensdale-St Marys Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 555
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,752
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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