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Average

#535 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 42% in state

Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School

High School · Pekin Comm School District

1062 Birch Ave, Packwood, IA 52580

Enrollment

287

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

6.7

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Packwood

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa high schools

#101 of 334

In district

#2 of 2

Pekin Comm School District

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School

Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Packwood, Iowa. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, this comprehensive high school offers a supportive learning environment with an enrollment of 287 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1. The dedicated faculty consists of 20 full-time equivalent teachers who work to provide individualized attention and support for each student.

According to MySchoolScout's rating system, Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School has an overall rating of 5.5 out of 10, placing it in the 51st percentile among Iowa schools. Academically, students perform well above average in ELA and science with 75% and 74% proficiency rates respectively, while math scores show 67% proficiency. These figures indicate a strong academic foundation but also suggest areas for continued growth.

Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School is situated in a rural setting where students benefit from close-knit community ties and a supportive educational atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Pekin Community Junior/ Senior 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 Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68%
Math vs. State Avg-7.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.8 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College Readiness4.6Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,354

Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School — Students at Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
69.9%
ELA Proficiency 75.1%
School
State
75.9%

Based on 18 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
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
65%
ELA
69%
2022
Math
65%
ELA
68%
2025
Math
70.2%
ELA
79.9%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School Compares

See how Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
58th percentile in IA
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

1062 Birch Ave, Packwood, IA 52580

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Sigourney Jr-Sr High Sch (rated 7.6/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Sigourney), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cardinal High School (rated 6.8/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Eldon), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Fairfield High School (rated 5.2/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Fairfield), a more accessible option. For more schools in Packwood, see our Packwood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Pekin Elementary School Packwood 0.0 mi 7.5
PEKIN CHILD CARE CENTER Packwood 0.0 mi
Sigourney Jr-Sr High Sch Sigourney 12.1 mi 7.6
Sigourney Elementary Sigourney 12.3 mi 4.3
Cardinal Elementary Eldon 13.8 mi 5.0
Cardinal High School Eldon 14.0 mi 6.8
Cardinal Junior High Eldon 14.0 mi 6.8
MAHARISHI SCHOOL Fairfield 14.0 mi 9.4
SINGING CEDARS SCHOOL Fairfield 13.7 mi
Pence Elementary Fairfield 14.7 mi 6.1
Fairfield Middle School Fairfield 14.9 mi 7.4
Fairfield High School Fairfield 14.7 mi 5.2
Washington Elementary Fairfield 14.9 mi 6.9
Ottumwa Virtual Learning Ottumwa 15.1 mi 3.4
Eisenhower Elementary School Ottumwa 14.7 mi 5.9
Horace Mann Elementary School Ottumwa 15.2 mi 5.1
Fremont Elementary Fremont 14.6 mi 7.4
Wilson Elementary School Ottumwa 15.8 mi 5.4
Ottumwa High School Ottumwa 16.0 mi 4.3
SETON CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ottumwa 16.0 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52580 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,009

Median Home Value

$112,200

Median Rent

$726/mo

Population

691

College Educated

13.7%

Homeownership

83.3%

Poverty Rate

0.7%

Median Age

46.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School has a median household income of $44,009. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $112,200, with a median rent of $726/month. The local poverty rate of 0.7% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
East Union Middle-High School Afton, IA 6.7
Mid-Prairie High School Wellman, IA 6.7
Nashua-Plainfield Junior-Senior High School Nashua, IA 6.7
WACO High School Wayland, IA 6.7
Cardinal High School Eldon, IA 6.8
Central Decatur MS/HS High School Leon, IA 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School

What grades does Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School serve?

Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School?

Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 287 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School rank in IA?

Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School is ranked #535 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School has 67.0% math proficiency and 75.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School a charter school?

No, Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School a Title I school?

No, Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pekin Community Junior/ Senior High School?

42.5% of students at Pekin Community Junior/ 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

County Safety
Low (102/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Jefferson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pekin Comm School District
District Enrollment
623
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,832
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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