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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

Virtual

Enrollment

82

Student-Teacher

41:1

Score

3.8

Grades

7th – 12th

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 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.13 pts/yr
Data Period2022–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.1Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Math vs. State Avg-36.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.4 pts
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected-20.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.4Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio41:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,365

Mason City Virtual Academy — Students at Mason City Virtual Academy score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 29.7%
School
State
67.8%
ELA Proficiency 54.7%
School
State
72.8%

Based on 7 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2022
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
28.6%
ELA
53.6%

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.

Overall Score
3.8/10
3th percentile in IA
Academic
2.1/10
2.1/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
1.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
41:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Lincoln Intermediate Mason City 0.1 mi 7.6
Roosevelt Elementary School Mason City 0.1 mi 8.4
NORTH IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mason City 0.9 mi 5.6
Jefferson Elementary School Mason City 1.4 mi 9.2
Hoover Elementary School Mason City 1.8 mi 7.0
John Adams Middle School Mason City 1.7 mi 6.5
Harding Elementary School Mason City 2.1 mi 9.3
Mason City High School Mason City 1.8 mi 4.4
Alternative School Mason City 1.9 mi 6.1
NEWMAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mason City 2.0 mi 6.0
NEWMAN CATHOLIC Mason City 2.0 mi 5.4
Central Springs Elementary Manly Campus Manly 10.3 mi 7.6
Central Springs High School Manly 10.3 mi 6.0
West Fork Elementary at Rockwell Rockwell 10.6 mi 5.7
Clear Lake High School Clear Lake 8.5 mi 7.3
Clear Lake Middle School Clear Lake 8.6 mi 6.7
Clear Creek Elementary School Clear Lake 8.8 mi 8.3
Central Springs Elementary School - Nora Springs Nora Springs 9.8 mi 8.7
Central Springs Middle School Nora Springs 9.8 mi 7.0
West Fork High School Sheffield 16.5 mi 6.4

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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