Very Good
#205 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 16% in state
Mount Ayr High School
High School · Mount Ayr Comm School District
1001 E Columbus St, Mount Ayr, IA 50854
Enrollment
273
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.7
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
273
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
7.7
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mount Ayr
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa high schools
#28 of 334
In district
#1 of 2
Mount Ayr Comm School District
Equity
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Mount Ayr High School
Mount Ayr High School serves 273 students in grades 7-12 in this close-knit rural Iowa community. With 22 full-time teachers, the school maintains an intimate 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating and ranking #157 out of 1,288 Iowa schools, placing it in the 88th percentile statewide.
Students show strong literacy skills with 82% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 74% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality education despite its rural setting. Mount Ayr High School draws from a stable community where the median household income is $67,014 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 9.6%.
The area's median home value of $132,700 reflects the affordable, family-friendly nature of this agricultural region. While 22% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school serves families from diverse educational backgrounds. Located on East Columbus Street in Ringgold County, Mount Ayr High School sits in Iowa's remote rural landscape, where students experience the benefits of small-town education while building the foundation for their future endeavors.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Mount Ayr 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
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Mount Ayr High School — Students at Mount Ayr High School score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 20 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: 6.0/10.
How Mount Ayr High School Compares
See how Mount Ayr High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 74% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 82% (2019) to 82% (2022).
Location
1001 E Columbus St, Mount Ayr, IA 50854
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mount Ayr High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NORTH HARRISON HIGH (rated 8.1/10, 21.2 miles away, in nearby Eagleville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lenox High School (rated 7.6/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Lenox), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Creston High School (rated 7.5/10, 25.7 miles away, in nearby Creston), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Mount Ayr, see our Mount Ayr schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 26.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Ayr Elementary Mount Ayr | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Diagonal Junior-Senior High School Diagonal | 8.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Diagonal Elementary School Diagonal | 8.8 mi | 6.4 |
| WORTH CO. ELEMENTARY Grant City | 18.6 mi | 8.6 |
| WORTH CO. HIGH Grant City | 18.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Lamoni Elementary School Lamoni | 16.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Lamoni High School Lamoni | 16.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Lamoni Middle School Lamoni | 16.5 mi | 5.9 |
| East Union Elementary Afton | 21.4 mi | 6.9 |
| East Union Middle-High School Afton | 21.4 mi | 6.7 |
| ZADIE CREEK SCHOOL Eagleville | 18.7 mi | — |
| NORTH HARRISON ELEM. Eagleville | 21.2 mi | 9.1 |
| NORTH HARRISON HIGH Eagleville | 21.2 mi | 8.1 |
| ST MALACHY SCHOOL Creston | 24.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Lenox Elementary School Lenox | 20.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Lenox High School Lenox | 20.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Creston Early Childhood Center Creston | 25.2 mi | 6.4 |
| MAYFLOWER HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Creston | 25.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Creston High School Creston | 25.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Creston Middle School Creston | 26.0 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50854 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,352
Median Home Value
$151,400
Median Rent
$712/mo
Population
2,304
College Educated
26.1%
Homeownership
73.7%
Avg Commute
26.4 min
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Median Age
40.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mount Ayr High School has a median household income of $69,352. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,400, with a median rent of $712/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| BCLUW High School Conrad, IA | 7.7 |
| Collins-Maxwell Middle/High School Maxwell, IA | 7.7 |
| Coon Rapids-Bayard 6-12 Attendance Center Coon Rapids, IA | 7.7 |
| Springville Secondary School Springville, IA | 7.7 |
| AGWSR High School Ackley, IA | 7.8 |
| ExiraElk Horn-Kimballton High School Elk Horn, IA | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mount Ayr High School
What grades does Mount Ayr High School serve?
Mount Ayr High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Mount Ayr High School?
Mount Ayr High School has an enrollment of approximately 273 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mount Ayr High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mount Ayr High School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mount Ayr High School rank in IA?
Mount Ayr High School is ranked #205 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Mount Ayr High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mount Ayr High School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Mount Ayr High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mount Ayr High School has 81.3% math proficiency and 82.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mount Ayr High School a charter school?
No, Mount Ayr High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mount Ayr High School a Title I school?
No, Mount Ayr High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mount Ayr High School?
42.1% of students at Mount Ayr 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 273
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Ringgold County
- Phone
- (641) 464-0510
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mount Ayr Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 621
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,747
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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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