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Excellent

#70 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 5% in state

North Union High School

High School · North Union Comm School District

PO BOX 75 600 4th Ave, Armstrong, IA 50514

Enrollment

186

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

8.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#70 of 1,280

In district

#2 of 2

North Union Comm School District

Equity

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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North Union High School

8.6/10

High School in Armstrong · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Little Mustangs Learning Center

Nearby

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

North Kossuth Elementary School

9.3/10

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

About North Union High School

North Union High School is a public high school in Armstrong, IA, part of North Union Comm School District. North Union High School serves approximately 186 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. North Union High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #70 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for North Union High School show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.6 pts above IA schools
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 186 students, North Union High School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

North Union 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.

32% of students at North Union High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.46 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77.1% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency92% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+10.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.9 pts
Overall Proficiency85% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)67% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+17.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College Readiness9.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,855
Chronic Absenteeism31.7%

North Union High School — Students at North Union High School score 85% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 78.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.2% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 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
77%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
69.5%
2012
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2013
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2014
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2015
Math
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2016
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2017
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2018
Math
44.5%
ELA
84.5%
2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
84.5%
2020*
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
77.1%
ELA
92%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How North Union High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.6/10
95th percentile in IA
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent
Sports
2
1 boys' · 1 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.7%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics2sports offered
1 boys'·1 girls'·2 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

PO BOX 75 600 4th Ave, Armstrong, IA 50514

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Union High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SOUTHERN PLAINS AREA LEARNING CNTR. (rated 7.2/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Fairmont), a more accessible option. Another option is Granada Huntley East Chain High Sch (rated 7.0/10, 21.7 miles away, in nearby Granada), a more accessible option. Additionally, FAIRMONT JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Fairmont), a more accessible option. For more schools in Armstrong, see our Armstrong schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.2 mi
School Distance Rating
LITTLE MUSTANGS LEARNING CENTER Armstrong 0.2 mi
North Kossuth Elementary School Swea City 8.4 mi 9.3
North Union Middle School Swea City 8.4 mi 8.6
North Union Elementary Fenton 13.8 mi 9.8
FAIRMONT JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL Fairmont 16.5 mi 5.7
FAIRMONT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fairmont 16.9 mi
ST JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL Fairmont 17.0 mi 6.0
FAIRMONT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairmont 17.2 mi 7.7
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fairmont 17.2 mi 6.2
SOUTHERN PLAINS EDUCATION COOP. Fairmont 18.4 mi
SOUTHERN PLAINS AREA LEARNING CNTR. Fairmont 18.4 mi 7.2
POSITIVE APPROACH TO LEARNING Fairmont 18.4 mi
SOUTHERN PLAINS BRIDGES Fairmont 18.4 mi
Graettinger-Terril High School Graettinger 17.8 mi 5.3
Graettinger-Terril Middle School Graettinger 17.8 mi 4.5
Granada Huntley East Chain Elem Sch Granada 21.7 mi 3.7
Granada Huntley East Chain High Sch Granada 21.7 mi 7.0
Granada Huntley East Chain Middle S Granada 21.7 mi 5.9
ST JAMES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fairmont 23.4 mi 6.4
Demoney Elementary Estherville 17.2 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50514 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,550

Median Home Value

$128,600

Median Rent

$611/mo

Population

1,190

College Educated

15.7%

Homeownership

83.8%

Poverty Rate

5.7%

Median Age

55.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Clayton Ridge High School Guttenberg, IA 8.6
Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom Jr-Sr High School Brooklyn, IA 8.5
Wayne Community Jr-Sr High School Corydon, IA 8.5
Southeast Warren Jr-Sr High School Liberty Center, IA 8.4
WOODWARD ACADEMY Woodward, IA 8.4
Fremont-Mills Middle And Senior High School Tabor, IA 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Union High School

What grades does North Union High School serve?

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

How many students attend North Union High School?

North Union High School has an enrollment of approximately 186 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at North Union High School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Union High School rank in IA?

North Union High School ranks #70 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is North Union High School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Union High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 North Union High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, North Union High School has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is North Union High School a charter school?

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

Is North Union High School a Title I school?

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

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

51.1% of students at North Union 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
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
186
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Emmet County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.7%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

District

North Union Comm School District
District Enrollment
311
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,855
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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