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Below Average

#1106 of 1,280 schools in IA

Mount Vernon High School

High School · Mount Vernon Comm School District

731 Palisades Rd SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314

Enrollment

478

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mount Vernon

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#285 of 334

In district

#3 of 3

Mount Vernon Comm School District

Academic performance

7.4 / 10

Strong

About Mount Vernon High School

Mount Vernon High School is a regular public high school located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, on the outskirts of an urban area. The school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 478 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1. The campus provides a supportive learning environment with 28 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students.

Mount Vernon High School boasts strong performance in core subjects, particularly in math where 84% of students are proficient or above, and reading where 80% meet proficiency standards. Science scores stand at 75%, indicating areas for continued growth but also highlighting the school's solid academic foundation. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranking in the 52nd percentile among Iowa schools, there is room for further improvement, especially considering its strong proficiency rates.

Set against the backdrop of Mount Vernon, students benefit from a small-town atmosphere that fosters community engagement while still being close enough to urban centers for cultural and educational opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.68 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.4Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency78%
Reading/ELA Proficiency81%
Math vs. State Avg+11.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.9 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)83%
vs. Expected-3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College Readiness4.8Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,880

Mount Vernon High School — Students at Mount Vernon High School score 80% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 83.5%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 79.6%
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
87%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
85%
2022
Math
78%
ELA
81%
2025
Math
84.7%
ELA
76.5%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Mount Vernon High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
14th percentile in IA
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

731 Palisades Rd SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mount Vernon High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Springville Secondary School (rated 7.7/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Springville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Marion High School (rated 6.3/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Marion), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lisbon Secondary (rated 6.0/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Lisbon), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mount Vernon, see our Mount Vernon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Mount Vernon Middle School Mount Vernon 0.1 mi 7.3
Washington Elementary School Mount Vernon 0.3 mi 6.8
Lisbon Elementary School Lisbon 2.1 mi 8.0
Lisbon Secondary Lisbon 2.1 mi 6.0
Lakeview Elementary Solon 8.6 mi 5.1
Solon Intermediate Solon 8.8 mi 4.8
Springville Secondary School Springville 9.4 mi 7.7
Springville Elementary School Springville 9.4 mi 7.7
Solon High School Solon 8.9 mi 5.0
Solon Middle School Solon 8.9 mi 4.4
Linn Grove Elementary School Marion 10.8 mi 6.7
North Cedar Mechanicsville Elem Ctr Mechanicsville 9.4 mi 8.7
Longfellow Elementary Marion 11.1 mi 6.7
Francis Marion Intermediate School Marion 11.1 mi 8.8
Marion High School Marion 11.0 mi 6.3
Starry Elementary School Marion 11.1 mi 7.6
Erskine Elementary School Cedar Rapids 10.4 mi 5.8
Boulder Peak Intermediate School Marion 11.9 mi 6.5
Wilkins Elementary School Marion 11.6 mi 7.0
Vernon Middle School Marion 11.4 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52314 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$106,667

Median Home Value

$279,800

Median Rent

$886/mo

Population

6,048

College Educated

44.5%

Homeownership

89.4%

Avg Commute

21.9 min

Poverty Rate

8.2%

Median Age

34.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mount Vernon High School has a median household income of $106,667. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $279,800, with a median rent of $886/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Humboldt High School Humboldt, IA 4.8
Lawton-Bronson Junior-Senior High School Lawton, IA 4.8
Mediapolis High School Mediapolis, IA 4.8
New London Jr-Sr High School New London, IA 4.8
Oelwein High School Oelwein, IA 4.8
Centerville High School Centerville, IA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mount Vernon High School

What grades does Mount Vernon High School serve?

Mount Vernon High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mount Vernon High School?

Mount Vernon High School has an enrollment of approximately 478 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mount Vernon High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mount Vernon High School is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mount Vernon High School rank in IA?

Mount Vernon High School is ranked #1106 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Mount Vernon High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mount Vernon High School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Mount Vernon High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mount Vernon High School has 83.5% math proficiency and 79.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mount Vernon High School a charter school?

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

Is Mount Vernon High School a Title I school?

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

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

13.8% of students at Mount Vernon 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
Low (65/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
478
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
13.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Linn County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mount Vernon Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,427
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,721
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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