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Average

#822 of 1,280 schools in IA

North Iowa High School

High School · North Iowa Comm School District

111 3rd Ave NW, Buffalo Center, IA 50424

Enrollment

134

Student-Teacher

19.1:1

Score

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Buffalo Center

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#184 of 334

In district

#3 of 3

North Iowa Comm School District

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About North Iowa High School

North Iowa High School is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Buffalo Center, Winnebago County, Iowa. The school serves 9th through 12th graders with an enrollment of just 134 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.1:1, thanks to seven full-time equivalent teachers on staff. North Iowa High School is situated in a remote rural setting where the community values its small-town feel and close-knit atmosphere.

While the school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.5 out of 10 and it ranks 14th percentile state-wide, there are still many strengths to highlight. In ELA/Reading, 67% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards, while in Math, 58% do so, and Science sees a strong showing with 71% proficient or above. The school has room for academic growth but continues to focus on student development and supports its rural community well.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 134 students, North Iowa 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.

While current test scores at North Iowa High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, North Iowa 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 Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Math vs. State Avg-24.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.1 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected-13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,297

North Iowa High School — Students at North Iowa High School score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.2%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 66.7%
School
State
74.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
70.3%
ELA
74%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How North Iowa High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
36th percentile in IA
Academic
2.9/10
2.9/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

111 3rd Ave NW, Buffalo Center, IA 50424

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Iowa High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West Hancock High School (rated 8.3/10, 21.5 miles away, in nearby Britt), which scores notably higher. Another option is Forest City High School (rated 8.2/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Blue Earth Area Secondary (rated 6.1/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Blue Earth), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Buffalo Center, see our Buffalo Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.0 mi
School Distance Rating
North Iowa Elementary Buffalo Center Buffalo Center 0.0 mi 7.3
North Iowa Middle School Buffalo Center 0.0 mi 7.7
Blue Earth Area Early Childhood Spe Blue Earth 18.9 mi
BLUE EARTH AREA MIDDLE Blue Earth 18.9 mi 6.4
Blue Earth Area Elementary Blue Earth 18.9 mi 3.5
Blue Earth Area Secondary Blue Earth 19.5 mi 6.1
Forest City Elementary School Forest City 17.1 mi 8.3
Forest City High School Forest City 17.3 mi 8.2
Forest City Middle School Forest City 17.3 mi 7.0
West Hancock High School Britt 21.5 mi 8.3
West Hancock Elementary School Britt 21.6 mi 7.9
SCARVILLE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Scarville 17.5 mi
North Kossuth Elementary School Swea City 18.3 mi 9.3
North Union Middle School Swea City 18.3 mi 9.0
UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Wells 26.1 mi 7.9
UNITED SOUTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Wells 26.1 mi 5.2
BISHOP GARRIGAN CAMPUS Algona 25.2 mi 6.7
ST CASIMIR'S SCHOOL Wells 26.7 mi
Bertha Godfrey Elementary School Algona 25.9 mi 4.1
Lake Mills Elementary School Lake Mills 21.0 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50424 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,125

Median Home Value

$109,200

Median Rent

$643/mo

Population

1,590

College Educated

25.4%

Homeownership

72.3%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

51.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding North Iowa High School has a median household income of $58,125. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,200, with a median rent of $643/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Lynnville-Sully High School Sully, IA 5.9
Murray Jr/Sr High Murray, IA 5.9
Woodward Academy Woodward, IA 5.9
Kingsley-Pierson High School Kingsley, IA 5.8
Alternative School Mason City, IA 6.1
East Buchanan High School Winthrop, IA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Iowa High School

What grades does North Iowa High School serve?

North Iowa High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend North Iowa High School?

North Iowa High School has an enrollment of approximately 134 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Iowa High School?

The student-teacher ratio at North Iowa High School is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Iowa High School rank in IA?

North Iowa High School is ranked #822 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is North Iowa High School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Iowa High School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 North Iowa High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Iowa High School has 58.2% math proficiency and 66.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is North Iowa High School a charter school?

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

Is North Iowa High School a Title I school?

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

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

45.5% of students at North Iowa 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
134
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Winnebago County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Iowa Comm School District
District Enrollment
465
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,962
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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