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Excellent

#40 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 3% 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

9.0

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#40 of 1,280

In Mount Ayr

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Mount Ayr Comm School District

Equity

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Mount Ayr High School

9.0/10

High School in Mount Ayr · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mount Ayr Elementary

8.6/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Diagonal Junior-senior High School

6.4/10

8.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Mount Ayr High School

Mount Ayr High School is a public high school in Mount Ayr, IA, part of Mount Ayr Comm School District. Mount Ayr High School serves approximately 273 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Mount Ayr High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #40 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Mount Ayr High School show 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.0 pts above IA schools
  • This school 9.0 · Excellent
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Mount Ayr High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+0.13 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.1Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency83.4% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency83.8% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+10.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.1 pts
Overall Proficiency84% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)72% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College Readiness9.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,747
Chronic Absenteeism23.1%

Mount Ayr High School — Students at Mount Ayr High School score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 82.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
70.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 80.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.5% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 42 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
76%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
76%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
74%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
83.4%
ELA
83.8%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Mount Ayr High School Compares

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

Overall Score
9.0/10
97th percentile in IA
Academic
9.1/10
Excellent
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
8.4/10
Excellent
Sports
15
8 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.1%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics15sports offered
8 boys'·7 girls'·30 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.0/10, 21.2 miles away, in nearby Eagleville), with a comparable rating. Another option is Lenox High School (rated 7.8/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Lenox), a more accessible option. Additionally, Creston High School (rated 7.6/10, 25.7 miles away, in nearby Creston), a more accessible option. 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 8.6
Diagonal Junior-Senior High School Diagonal 8.7 mi 6.4
Diagonal Elementary School Diagonal 8.8 mi 6.4
WORTH CO. ELEMENTARY Grant City 18.6 mi 8.3
WORTH CO. HIGH Grant City 18.7 mi 6.5
Lamoni Elementary School Lamoni 16.5 mi 5.6
Lamoni High School Lamoni 16.5 mi 3.9
Lamoni Middle School Lamoni 16.5 mi 6.7
East Union Elementary Afton 21.4 mi 8.9
East Union Middle-High School Afton 21.4 mi 7.2
ZADIE CREEK SCHOOL Eagleville 18.7 mi
NORTH HARRISON ELEM. Eagleville 21.2 mi 7.9
NORTH HARRISON HIGH Eagleville 21.2 mi 8.0
ST MALACHY SCHOOL Creston 24.4 mi 5.1
Lenox Elementary School Lenox 20.4 mi 8.0
Lenox High School Lenox 20.4 mi 7.8
Creston Early Childhood Center Creston 25.2 mi 6.8
MAYFLOWER HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Creston 25.3 mi 6.3
Creston High School Creston 25.7 mi 7.6
Creston Middle School Creston 26.0 mi 8.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
West Hancock High School Britt, IA 8.9
Bedford High School Bedford, IA 9.2
Rock Valley High School Rock Valley, IA 8.8
Shenandoah High School Shenandoah, IA 8.7
Clayton Ridge High School Guttenberg, IA 8.6
North Union High School Armstrong, IA 8.6

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 ranks #40 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Mount Ayr High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mount Ayr High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 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 Mount Ayr High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mount Ayr High School has 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.1%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

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

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