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Average

#836 of 1,280 schools in IA

Norwalk Senior High School

High School · Norwalk Comm School District

1201 North Ave, Norwalk, IA 50211

Enrollment

1,035

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Norwalk

#2 of 5

public schools

Iowa high schools

#188 of 334

In district

#2 of 5

Norwalk Comm School District

About Norwalk Senior High School

Norwalk Senior High School serves 1,035 students in grades 9-12 in this growing suburban community in Warren County. With 62 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, providing reasonable class sizes for high school learning. Academically, Norwalk Senior High shows solid performance in reading and language arts, with 76% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.

Math performance reaches 65% proficiency, indicating room for continued academic growth. The school ranks in the 44th percentile statewide, positioning it in the middle tier among Iowa's high schools. The school draws from an affluent suburban area where the median household income reaches $95,095 and home values average $276,100.

This well-educated community, with 37% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, maintains a low poverty rate of just 5%. The strong socioeconomic foundation provides students with substantial family and community support for their educational journey. Located on North Avenue in Norwalk's large suburban setting, the high school serves as an anchor institution in this thriving Warren County community that continues to attract families seeking quality schools and suburban amenities within reach of the Des Moines metropolitan area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76%
Math vs. State Avg-1.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.1 pts
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)80%
vs. Expected-9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College Readiness9.5Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation21.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,815

Norwalk Senior High School — Students at Norwalk Senior High School score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 76.6%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 79.6%
School
State
74.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
84%
ELA
81%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
79%
2022
Math
65%
ELA
76%
2025
Math
79.5%
ELA
80.5%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Norwalk Senior High School Compares

See how Norwalk Senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
35th percentile in IA
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
4.3/10
Below average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers

Location

1201 North Ave, Norwalk, IA 50211

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Norwalk Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BERGMAN ACADEMY (rated 8.2/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. Another option is Orchard Hills Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South Union Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Des Moines), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Norwalk, see our Norwalk schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Norwalk Middle School Norwalk 0.2 mi 5.8
MAIN STREET SCHOOL Norwalk 0.5 mi
Oviatt Elementary School Norwalk 0.5 mi 5.2
NORWALK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Norwalk 0.9 mi
Lakewood Elementary School Norwalk 1.9 mi 5.7
Orchard Hills Elementary Norwalk 1.6 mi 7.7
Morris Elementary School Des Moines 3.9 mi 6.8
McCombs Middle School Des Moines 3.9 mi 5.5
Studebaker Elementary School Des Moines 4.1 mi 5.0
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Des Moines 4.7 mi 6.0
Wright Elementary School Des Moines 4.9 mi 3.5
Jefferson Elementary School Des Moines 5.2 mi 4.8
DES MOINES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Des Moines 5.3 mi 6.5
Mitchell Early Childhood Center Des Moines 5.0 mi 5.0
Brody Middle School Des Moines 5.7 mi 2.8
South Union Elementary School Des Moines 5.7 mi 7.4
Lovejoy Elementary School Des Moines 5.5 mi 6.3
Park Ave Elementary School Des Moines 6.1 mi 3.8
Lincoln High School Des Moines 6.5 mi 3.8
BERGMAN ACADEMY Des Moines 7.1 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50211 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,661

Median Home Value

$293,800

Median Rent

$883/mo

Population

16,222

College Educated

37.1%

Homeownership

86.1%

Avg Commute

21.6 min

Poverty Rate

4.5%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Norwalk Senior High School has a median household income of $97,661. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $293,800, with a median rent of $883/month. The local poverty rate of 4.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Ames High School Ames, IA 5.9
George Washington High School Cedar Rapids, IA 5.8
Spencer High School Spencer, IA 5.8
Hoover High School Des Moines, IA 6.1
Prairie High School Cedar Rapids, IA 6.1
Indianola High School Indianola, IA 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Norwalk Senior High School

What grades does Norwalk Senior High School serve?

Norwalk Senior High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Norwalk Senior High School?

Norwalk Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,035 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Norwalk Senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Norwalk Senior High School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Norwalk Senior High School rank in IA?

Norwalk Senior High School is ranked #836 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Norwalk Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Norwalk Senior 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 Norwalk Senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Norwalk Senior High School has 76.6% math proficiency and 79.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Norwalk Senior High School a charter school?

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

Is Norwalk Senior High School a Title I school?

No, Norwalk Senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Norwalk Senior High School?

18.5% of students at Norwalk Senior 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
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (289/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Norwalk). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,035
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
62
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Warren County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Norwalk Comm School District
District Enrollment
3,591
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,499
District Rank
#2 of 5

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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