Average
#1005 of 1,280 schools in IA
North Mahaska Jr-sr High School
High School · North Mahaska Comm School District
PO BOX 89 2163 135th St, New Sharon, IA 50207
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
5.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
5.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Sharon
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa high schools
#247 of 334
In district
#2 of 2
North Mahaska Comm School District
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About North Mahaska Jr-sr High School
North Mahaska Jr-Sr High School in New Sharon, Iowa, serves students from seventh through twelfth grade with a total enrollment of 286 students. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1 and employs 20 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a rural setting, North Mahaska Jr-Sr High School offers a close-knit community atmosphere that supports both academic and personal development.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, the school scores a 4.8 out of 10 overall and is ranked at #841 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it around the 35th percentile among state schools. Academically, students perform well with proficiency rates of 73% in English Language Arts/Reading and 75% in Math, along with an impressive 84% proficient or above in Science. While there is room for improvement in overall academic performance, North Mahaska Jr-Sr High School continues to focus on student development and engagement.
North Mahaska Jr-Sr High School sits in the heart of a rural area where students benefit from a supportive community environment.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, North Mahaska Jr-sr 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
North Mahaska Jr-sr High School — Students at North Mahaska Jr-sr High School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 18 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.6/10.
How North Mahaska Jr-sr High School Compares
See how North Mahaska Jr-sr High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 65% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 64% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 89 2163 135th St, New Sharon, IA 50207
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Mahaska Jr-sr High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Montezuma High School (rated 6.4/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Montezuma), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pella High School (rated 6.2/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Pella), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Oskaloosa High School (rated 6.0/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Oskaloosa), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in New Sharon, see our New Sharon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Mahaska Elementary School New Sharon | 0.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Oskaloosa High School Oskaloosa | 10.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Oskaloosa Virtual Academy Oskaloosa | 10.4 mi | — |
| Oskaloosa Middle School Oskaloosa | 10.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center - PK Oskaloosa | 10.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Oskaloosa Elementary School Oskaloosa | 10.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Montezuma Elementary School Montezuma | 11.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Montezuma High School Montezuma | 11.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Montezuma Junior High School Montezuma | 11.0 mi | 7.9 |
| SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully | 12.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Lynnville-Sully High School Sully | 13.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Lynnville-Sully Elementary School Sully | 13.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully | 13.1 mi | 6.7 |
| PELLA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Pella | 13.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Madison Elementary School Pella | 13.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Pella Middle School Pella | 13.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Jefferson Intermediate Pella | 13.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Pella High School Pella | 13.8 mi | 6.2 |
| PELLA CHRISTIAN GRADE SCHOOL Pella | 14.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Pella | 14.4 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50207 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,389
Median Home Value
$156,500
Median Rent
$577/mo
Population
2,360
College Educated
22.4%
Homeownership
70.1%
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Median Age
40.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Mahaska Jr-sr High School has a median household income of $76,389. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $156,500, with a median rent of $577/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Middle School/High School Elkader, IA | 5.3 |
| Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School Clarion, IA | 5.3 |
| Easton Valley Junior High / High School Preston, IA | 5.3 |
| North Tama High School Traer, IA | 5.3 |
| Iowa Valley Jr-Sr High School Marengo, IA | 5.2 |
| Monticello High School Monticello, IA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Mahaska Jr-sr High School
What grades does North Mahaska Jr-sr High School serve?
North Mahaska Jr-sr High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend North Mahaska Jr-sr High School?
North Mahaska Jr-sr High School has an enrollment of approximately 286 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Mahaska Jr-sr High School?
The student-teacher ratio at North Mahaska Jr-sr High School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Mahaska Jr-sr High School rank in IA?
North Mahaska Jr-sr High School is ranked #1005 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is North Mahaska Jr-sr High School's MySchoolScout rating?
North Mahaska Jr-sr High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Mahaska Jr-sr High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Mahaska Jr-sr High School has 74.7% math proficiency and 72.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Mahaska Jr-sr High School a charter school?
No, North Mahaska Jr-sr High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Mahaska Jr-sr High School a Title I school?
No, North Mahaska Jr-sr High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Mahaska Jr-sr High School?
31.5% of students at North Mahaska Jr-sr 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
- City Safety
- Low (80/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New Sharon). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 286
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Mahaska County
- Phone
- (641) 637-4187
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
North Mahaska Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 600
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,807
- District Rank
- #2 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.