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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.9Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Math vs. State Avg-5.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.3 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected+5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College Readiness2.1Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,122

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.8%
School
State
70.4%
ELA Proficiency 76.5%
School
State
75.5%

Based on 20 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
62%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
72.9%
ELA
76.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.1/10
41th percentile in IA
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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