Below Average
#1167 of 1,280 schools in IA
Mason City High School
High School · Mason City Comm School District
1700 4th St. SE, Mason City, IA 50401
Enrollment
967
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
967
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mason City
#8 of 9
public schools
Iowa high schools
#300 of 334
In district
#8 of 9
Mason City Comm School District
About Mason City High School
Mason City High School serves 967 students in grades 9-12 in Mason City, Iowa, with a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1 and 53 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is currently focused on student development, with 57% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 46% in mathematics, indicating significant room for academic growth. As a regular public school in Cerro Gordo County, Mason City High School operates in a community where the median household income is $61,703 and the median home value is $129,600.
The surrounding area has a poverty rate of 10%, while 21% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a working-class community with diverse educational backgrounds. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 places it at #1247 among Iowa's 1,288 high schools, positioning it in the 3rd percentile statewide. While academic performance presents challenges, the school continues to serve its student body in this close-knit environment.
Mason City High School is situated in a remote town setting, providing students with a small-town educational experience in north-central Iowa's Cerro Gordo County community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Mason City 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Mason City High School — Students at Mason City High School score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.2/10.
How Mason City High School Compares
See how Mason City High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 46% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 66% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
1700 4th St. SE, Mason City, IA 50401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mason City High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Clear Lake High School (rated 7.3/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Clear Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alternative School (rated 6.1/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Central Springs High School (rated 6.0/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Manly), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mason City, see our Mason City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,807
Median Home Value
$134,100
Median Rent
$868/mo
Population
28,818
College Educated
21.9%
Homeownership
68.2%
Avg Commute
13.9 min
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
42.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mason City High School has a median household income of $63,807. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $134,100, with a median rent of $868/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 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 |
|---|---|
| Lewis Central Senior High School Council Bluffs, IA | 4.4 |
| Newton Senior High School Newton, IA | 4.4 |
| Le Mars High School Le Mars, IA | 4.5 |
| West High School Sioux City, IA | 4.5 |
| North Scott High School Eldridge, IA | 4.3 |
| Ottumwa High School Ottumwa, IA | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mason City High School
What grades does Mason City High School serve?
Mason City High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Mason City High School?
Mason City High School has an enrollment of approximately 967 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mason City High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mason City High School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mason City High School rank in IA?
Mason City High School is ranked #1167 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Mason City High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mason City High School has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Mason City High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mason City High School has 55.4% math proficiency and 66.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mason City High School a charter school?
No, Mason City High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mason City High School a Title I school?
No, Mason City High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mason City High School?
45.1% of students at Mason 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 57 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 18 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 51 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,561/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mason City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 967
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Cerro Gordo County
- Phone
- (641) 421-4431
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mason City Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 3,509
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,155
- District Rank
- #8 of 9
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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