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Average

#757 of 1,280 schools in IA

Newell-fonda High School

High School · Newell-Fonda Comm School District

PO BOX 297 205 Clark St, Newell, IA 50568

Enrollment

139

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newell

#2 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#162 of 334

In district

#2 of 3

Newell-Fonda Comm School District

School environment

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Newell-fonda High School

Newell-Fonda High School is a regular public high school serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. Located in the rural community of Newell, Iowa, it has an enrollment of 139 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1 with eleven full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Newell-Fonda High School shows that 68% of its students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 53% meet proficiency standards in Math and 59% excel in Science.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranking 1080th among Iowa’s 1288 schools, the school is focusing on student development with room for academic growth. Newell-Fonda High School stands as an integral part of its rural community in Buena Vista County.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 139 students, Newell-fonda 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, Newell-fonda 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 Progress4.9Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.6Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-19.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.1 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected-9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,977

Newell-fonda High School — Students at Newell-fonda High School score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 53.2%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 68.3%
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
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
55.1%
ELA
65.5%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Newell-fonda High School Compares

See how Newell-fonda High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
41th percentile in IA
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

PO BOX 297 205 Clark St, Newell, IA 50568

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Newell-fonda High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Alta-Aurelia High School (rated 7.5/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Alta), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sioux Central High School (rated 6.8/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Sioux Rapids), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, East Sac County High School (rated 5.7/10, 20.6 miles away, in nearby Lake View), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Newell, see our Newell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Newell-Fonda Middle Sch. Newell 0.0 mi 4.2
Newell-Fonda Elementary Newell 0.0 mi 6.8
Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School Albert City 12.5 mi 8.8
East Sac County Elementary Sac City 12.9 mi 8.0
East Early Childhood Ctr Storm Lake 10.0 mi 7.7
St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS Storm Lake 10.3 mi 5.6
Storm Lake High School Storm Lake 10.3 mi 2.4
Schaller-Crestland Ridge View Middle School Schaller 12.7 mi 7.0
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake 12.0 mi 3.8
Storm Lake Elementary Storm Lake 12.0 mi 4.6
Storm Lake Early Elementary School Storm Lake 12.2 mi 7.5
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens 18.6 mi 4.2
East Sac County High School Lake View 20.6 mi 5.7
Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids 20.1 mi 5.9
Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids 20.1 mi 6.0
Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids 20.1 mi 6.8
Alta Elementary School Alta 16.1 mi 8.3
Alta-Aurelia High School Alta 16.1 mi 7.5
Schaller-Crestland Elementary Schaller 17.0 mi 9.2
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas 18.7 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50568 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,946

Median Home Value

$124,300

Median Rent

$717/mo

Population

1,364

College Educated

15.6%

Homeownership

79.9%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

4.8%

Median Age

40.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Newell-fonda High School has a median household income of $74,946. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $124,300, with a median rent of $717/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Alternative School Mason City, IA 6.1
East Buchanan High School Winthrop, IA 6.1
Stanton High School Stanton, IA 6.1
Tri-County JR/SR High School Thornburg, IA 6.1
West Central Charter High School Maynard, IA 6.1
Woodbury Central High School Moville, IA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Newell-fonda High School

What grades does Newell-fonda High School serve?

Newell-fonda High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Newell-fonda High School?

Newell-fonda High School has an enrollment of approximately 139 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Newell-fonda High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Newell-fonda High School is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Newell-fonda High School rank in IA?

Newell-fonda High School is ranked #757 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Newell-fonda High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Newell-fonda High School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Newell-fonda High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Newell-fonda High School has 53.2% math proficiency and 68.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Newell-fonda High School a charter school?

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

Is Newell-fonda High School a Title I school?

No, Newell-fonda High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Newell-fonda High School?

43.2% of students at Newell-fonda 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 (169/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
139
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Buena Vista County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Newell-Fonda Comm School District
District Enrollment
556
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,061
District Rank
#2 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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