Needs Improvement
#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
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
967
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Iowa schools
#1,167 of 1,280
In Mason City
#7 of 9
public schools
In district
#7 of 9
Mason City Comm School District
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Mason City High School
High School in Mason City · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Alternative School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
John Adams Middle School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mason City High School
Mason City High School is a public high school in Mason City, IA, part of Mason City Comm School District. Mason City High School serves approximately 967 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Mason City High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,167 of 1,280 schools in IA.
Structured state assessment records for Mason City High School show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 2.8
- IA avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
47% of students at Mason City 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 metricsView breakdown
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Mason City High School — Students at Mason City High School score 65% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
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 35 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: 2.5/10.
How Mason City High School Compares
See how Mason City High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.8/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Clear Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Springs High School (rated 6.9/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Manly), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mason City Virtual Academy (rated 2.4/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ottumwa High School Ottumwa, IA | 3.7 |
| Clinton High School Clinton, IA | 3.6 |
| George Washington High School Cedar Rapids, IA | 4.0 |
| North High School Davenport, IA | 3.4 |
| East High School Waterloo, IA | 4.2 |
| Hoover High School Des Moines, IA | 4.2 |
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 ranks #1,167 of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Mason City High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mason City High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Mason City High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mason City High School has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 46.9%
- Phone
- (641) 421-4431
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
Resources & Links
District
Mason City Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 3,509
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,155
- District Rank
- #7 of 9
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