Needs Improvement
#1237 of 1,280 schools in IA
Mason City Virtual Academy
High School · Mason City Comm School District
1515 S PENNSYLVANIA AVE, Mason City, IA 50401
Enrollment
82
Student-Teacher
41:1
Score
3.8
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
82
Student-Teacher
41:1
Score
3.8
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mason City
#9 of 9
public schools
Iowa high schools
#324 of 334
In district
#9 of 9
Mason City Comm School District
About Mason City Virtual Academy
Mason City Virtual Academy is a regular public high school located in Mason City, Iowa. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 82 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 41:1 with two full-time equivalent teachers. The school's remote setting offers a unique environment for virtual learning, providing flexibility and accessibility to students who might need it.
Academically, Mason City Virtual Academy is rated at 1.6 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, ranking it near the bottom among Iowa schools at 1281 out of 1288 institutions. In terms of proficiency levels across ELA/reading, math, and science, the school shows that about half the students are proficient in reading (55%), with significantly lower percentages in math (30%) and science (21%). These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and growth.
Mason City Virtual Academy stands out as a resource for those seeking an alternative educational path, particularly in a remote setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 82 students, Mason City Virtual Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
The student-teacher ratio at Mason City Virtual Academy is 41:1, 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.
Mason City Virtual Academy is a virtual school, meaning instruction is delivered primarily online. Virtual schools offer flexibility but require strong self-discipline and a reliable home learning environment. Parents should consider whether their child thrives with independent, technology-based learning and ask about the school's approach to student engagement and support.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Mason City Virtual Academy — Students at Mason City Virtual Academy score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 7 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.9/10.
How Mason City Virtual Academy Compares
See how Mason City Virtual Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1515 S PENNSYLVANIA AVE, Mason City, IA 50401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mason City Virtual Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Clear Lake High School (rated 7.3/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Clear Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Fork High School (rated 6.4/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Sheffield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Alternative School (rated 6.1/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mason City, see our Mason City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.5 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 Virtual Academy 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 |
|---|---|
| Marshalltown Virtual Academy Marshalltown, IA | 3.7 |
| Lamoni High School Lamoni, IA | 3.9 |
| Mormon Trail Jr-Sr High School Humeston, IA | 4.6 |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hull, IA | 5.3 |
| Hamburg Charter High Schools Hamburg, IA | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mason City Virtual Academy
What grades does Mason City Virtual Academy serve?
Mason City Virtual Academy serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Mason City Virtual Academy?
Mason City Virtual Academy has an enrollment of approximately 82 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mason City Virtual Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Mason City Virtual Academy is 41:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mason City Virtual Academy rank in IA?
Mason City Virtual Academy is ranked #1237 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Mason City Virtual Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Mason City Virtual Academy has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Virtual Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mason City Virtual Academy has 29.7% math proficiency and 54.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mason City Virtual Academy a charter school?
No, Mason City Virtual Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mason City Virtual Academy a Title I school?
No, Mason City Virtual Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mason City Virtual Academy?
46.3% of students at Mason City Virtual Academy 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
- City Safety
- High (2,561/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mason City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 82
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 41:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 46.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Cerro Gordo County
- Phone
- (641) 421-4401
- 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
- #9 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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