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Average

#642 of 1,280 schools in IA

Montezuma High School

High School · Montezuma Comm School District

PO BOX 580 504 N 4th St, Montezuma, IA 50171

Enrollment

137

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Montezuma

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#127 of 334

In district

#3 of 3

Montezuma Comm School District

School environment

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Montezuma High School

Montezuma High School is a rural public high school located in Montezuma, Iowa. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 137 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1 with eleven full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Montezuma High School shows that 82% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 72% in Math, and 64% in Science.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10, the school is ranked 43rd percentile among Iowa high schools, indicating there's room for academic growth. Montezuma High School is situated in a remote rural area where close-knit community relationships are an important part of student life and education.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 137 students, Montezuma High School 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.

Located in a rural area, Montezuma 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.1Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Math vs. State Avg-4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.9 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)77%
vs. Expected-5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,315

Montezuma High School — Students at Montezuma High School score 72% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.1%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 82.4%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
76.3%
ELA
80.4%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Montezuma High School Compares

See how Montezuma High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
50th percentile in IA
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

PO BOX 580 504 N 4th St, Montezuma, IA 50171

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Montezuma High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Grinnell Community Senior High School (rated 7.2/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Grinnell), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Jr-Sr High School (rated 6.6/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Brooklyn), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Tri-County JR/SR High School (rated 6.1/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Thornburg), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Montezuma, see our Montezuma schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Montezuma Elementary School Montezuma 0.0 mi 7.3
Montezuma Junior High School Montezuma 0.0 mi 7.9
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Elementary School Brooklyn 11.0 mi 8.2
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Jr-Sr High School Brooklyn 11.0 mi 6.6
North Mahaska Jr-Sr High School New Sharon 11.0 mi 5.3
North Mahaska Elementary School New Sharon 11.0 mi 6.3
Tri-County JR/SR High School Thornburg 13.7 mi 6.1
Tri-County Elementary School Thornburg 13.7 mi 4.7
Grinnell Community Middle School Grinnell 13.8 mi 6.9
Fairview Elementary School Grinnell 14.7 mi 6.8
CENTRAL IOWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grinnell 14.7 mi 5.2
Davis Elementary School Grinnell 14.5 mi 6.8
Bailey Park Elementary School Grinnell 15.4 mi 7.0
Grinnell Community Senior High School Grinnell 15.6 mi 7.2
H-L-V Junior-Senior High School Victor 15.3 mi 5.0
H-L-V Elementary School Victor 15.3 mi 7.7
Oskaloosa High School Oskaloosa 20.3 mi 6.0
Oskaloosa Virtual Academy Oskaloosa 20.3 mi
Oskaloosa Middle School Oskaloosa 20.4 mi 7.6
SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully 16.2 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50171 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,944

Median Home Value

$188,700

Median Rent

$822/mo

Population

2,445

College Educated

17.1%

Homeownership

70.8%

Avg Commute

23.3 min

Poverty Rate

11%

Median Age

52.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Montezuma High School has a median household income of $55,944. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,700, with a median rent of $822/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Highland High School Riverside, IA 6.4
Akron Westfield Senior High School Akron, IA 6.5
North-Linn Senior High School Troy Mills, IA 6.5
Rockford Junior-Senior High School Rockford, IA 6.5
Seymour High School Seymour, IA 6.5
West Bend-Mallard High School West Bend, IA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Montezuma High School

What grades does Montezuma High School serve?

Montezuma High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Montezuma High School?

Montezuma High School has an enrollment of approximately 137 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Montezuma High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Montezuma High School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Montezuma High School rank in IA?

Montezuma High School is ranked #642 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Montezuma High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Montezuma High School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Montezuma High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Montezuma High School has 72.1% math proficiency and 82.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Montezuma High School a charter school?

No, Montezuma High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Montezuma High School a Title I school?

No, Montezuma High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Montezuma High School?

24.1% of students at Montezuma 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (344/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
137
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Poweshiek County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Montezuma Comm School District
District Enrollment
472
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,059
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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