Average
#760 of 1,280 schools in IA
Northwood-kensett Middle/high School
High School · Northwood-Kensett Comm School District
PO BOX 289 704 7th St N, Northwood, IA 50459
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Northwood
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa high schools
#163 of 334
In district
#2 of 2
Northwood-Kensett Comm School District
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Northwood-kensett Middle/high School
Northwood-Kensett Middle/High School serves 281 students in grades 6-12 in the small community of Northwood, Iowa. This public school maintains a favorable 12.8-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 22 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 85th percentile statewide at #195 out of 1,288 Iowa schools.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and reading, with 77% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance reaches 64% proficiency, indicating steady academic achievement across core subjects. Located in Worth County, the school draws from a stable rural community where the median household income is $72,708 and home values average $145,400.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of 5.9%, contributing to a supportive environment for student learning. While 20% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the community values education and provides a foundation for student success. Northwood-Kensett Middle/High School operates in Iowa's remote rural landscape, offering students a close-knit educational experience where individual attention and community connections help shape academic and personal growth in a quintessential small-town setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Northwood-kensett Middle/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
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Northwood-kensett Middle/high School — Students at Northwood-kensett Middle/high School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 20 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: 8.0/10.
How Northwood-kensett Middle/high School Compares
See how Northwood-kensett Middle/high School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 82% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 289 704 7th St N, Northwood, IA 50459
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northwood-kensett Middle/high School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lyle High School (rated 6.4/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Lyle), which scores slightly higher. Another option is GLENVILLE-EMMONS SECONDARY (rated 6.0/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Glenville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Central Springs High School (rated 6.0/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Manly), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Northwood, see our Northwood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northwood-Kensett Elementary Northwood | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| GLENVILLE-EMMONS SECONDARY Glenville | 8.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Success West Austin | 8.3 mi | — |
| GLENVILLE EMMONS ELEMENTARY Glenville | 8.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Success East Austin | 8.8 mi | — |
| Central Springs Elementary Manly Campus Manly | 11.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Central Springs High School Manly | 11.6 mi | 6.0 |
| HALVERSON ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 14.0 mi | 8.8 |
| ST THEODORE'S EL Albert Lea | 15.4 mi | 7.9 |
| HAWTHORNE ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 15.6 mi | 6.9 |
| SIBLEY ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 15.5 mi | 6.7 |
| SOUTHWEST MIDDLE Albert Lea | 15.5 mi | 5.8 |
| ALBERT LEA SENIOR HIGH Albert Lea | 16.6 mi | 4.4 |
| LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY Albert Lea | 16.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Brookside Early Childhood Sp Ed Albert Lea | 16.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Albert Lea Area Learning Center Albert Lea | 16.8 mi | 3.9 |
| LYLE ELEMENTARY Lyle | 14.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Lyle High School Lyle | 14.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Lyle Middle Lyle | 14.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Harding Elementary School Mason City | 20.0 mi | 9.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50459 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,053
Median Home Value
$148,000
Median Rent
$690/mo
Population
3,027
College Educated
22.3%
Homeownership
84%
Avg Commute
19.8 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Median Age
41.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northwood-kensett Middle/high School has a median household income of $76,053. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $148,000, with a median rent of $690/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| BURLINGTON NOTRE DAME JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Burlington, IA | 6.1 |
| Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High School Belle Plaine, IA | 6.1 |
| Calamus-Wheatland Sec Attendance Center Wheatland, IA | 6.1 |
| Central Lee High School Donnellson, IA | 6.1 |
| East Buchanan High School Winthrop, IA | 6.1 |
| Greene County High School Jefferson, IA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northwood-kensett Middle/high School
What grades does Northwood-kensett Middle/high School serve?
Northwood-kensett Middle/high School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Northwood-kensett Middle/high School?
Northwood-kensett Middle/high School has an enrollment of approximately 281 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwood-kensett Middle/high School?
The student-teacher ratio at Northwood-kensett Middle/high School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northwood-kensett Middle/high School rank in IA?
Northwood-kensett Middle/high School is ranked #760 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Northwood-kensett Middle/high School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northwood-kensett Middle/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 Northwood-kensett Middle/high School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwood-kensett Middle/high School has 69.8% math proficiency and 76.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Northwood-kensett Middle/high School a charter school?
No, Northwood-kensett Middle/high School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northwood-kensett Middle/high School a Title I school?
No, Northwood-kensett Middle/high School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwood-kensett Middle/high School?
38.1% of students at Northwood-kensett Middle/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
- County Safety
- Low (122/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 281
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Worth County
- Phone
- (641) 324-2142
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northwood-Kensett Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 575
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,357
- 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
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