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Below Average

#1108 of 1,280 schools in IA

Oelwein High School

High School · Oelwein Comm School District

315 8th Ave SE, Oelwein, IA 50662

Enrollment

341

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Oelwein

#3 of 5

public schools

Iowa high schools

#287 of 334

In district

#3 of 5

Oelwein Comm School District

School environment

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Oelwein High School

Oelwein High School is a regular public high school located in the town of Oelwein, Iowa. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 341 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers. While the MySchoolScout rating places it at 3.2 out of 10, focusing on areas such as ELA/Reading (61% proficient or above), Math (55% proficient or above), and Science (74% proficient or above) suggests there is room for academic growth.

Oelwein High School offers a supportive environment where students can engage in a variety of activities and benefit from the close-knit community feel that comes with its small-town setting. The school's location within Oelwein provides easy access to local resources and support networks, fostering a sense of belonging among both students and families.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.7Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61%
Math vs. State Avg-14.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.1 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected-7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness4.3Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,185

Oelwein High School — Students at Oelwein High School score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.2%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 61.0%
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
62%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
61%
2025
Math
57.1%
ELA
60.3%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Oelwein High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
14th percentile in IA
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
4.1/10
Below average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

315 8th Ave SE, Oelwein, IA 50662

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Oelwein High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Independence Junior Senior High School (rated 6.4/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Independence), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Central Charter High School (rated 6.1/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Maynard), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wapsie Valley High School (rated 4.4/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Fairbank), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Oelwein, see our Oelwein schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Little Husky Learning Center Oelwein 0.0 mi 4.3
Oelwein Middle School Oelwein 0.2 mi 5.0
Wings Park Elementary School Oelwein 0.6 mi 8.2
Oelwein Online School Oelwein 1.1 mi 3.9
Rural Elementary School #1 Fairbank 5.2 mi
West Central Charter High School Maynard 6.8 mi 6.1
West Central PK - 8 School Maynard 6.8 mi 6.3
Rural Elementary School #2 Fairbank 5.8 mi
Rural Elementary School #4 Fairbank 7.0 mi
Prairie Grove Elementary School Jesup 8.3 mi
Fairbank Elementary School Fairbank 7.6 mi 5.1
Triumph Elementary School Jesup 8.8 mi 2.0
Perry #1 Elementary School Jesup 10.2 mi
INDEPENDENCE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Independence 13.2 mi
ST JOHNS SCHOOL Independence 13.9 mi 6.2
Early Childhood Center Independence 14.1 mi 5.4
East Elementary School Independence 14.2 mi 7.1
West Elementary School Independence 14.2 mi 6.0
Independence Junior Senior High School Independence 14.5 mi 6.4
Wapsie Valley High School Fairbank 12.1 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50662 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,145

Median Home Value

$108,200

Median Rent

$760/mo

Population

6,497

College Educated

15.7%

Homeownership

78.5%

Avg Commute

21.6 min

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

46.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Oelwein High School has a median household income of $49,145. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $108,200, with a median rent of $760/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. 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
Emmetsburg High School Emmetsburg, IA 4.8
Humboldt High School Humboldt, IA 4.8
Lawton-Bronson Junior-Senior High School Lawton, IA 4.8
Mediapolis High School Mediapolis, IA 4.8
New London Jr-Sr High School New London, IA 4.8
Centerville High School Centerville, IA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Oelwein High School

What grades does Oelwein High School serve?

Oelwein High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Oelwein High School?

Oelwein High School has an enrollment of approximately 341 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Oelwein High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Oelwein High School is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Oelwein High School rank in IA?

Oelwein High School is ranked #1108 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Oelwein High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Oelwein High School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Oelwein High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Oelwein High School has 55.2% math proficiency and 61.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Oelwein High School a charter school?

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

Is Oelwein High School a Title I school?

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

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

47.2% of students at Oelwein 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

City Safety
Elevated (765/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
341
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Fayette County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Oelwein Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,349
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,574
District Rank
#3 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

Related reading

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