Average
#718 of 1,280 schools in IA
Pella High School
High School · Pella Comm School District
212 E University St, Pella, IA 50219
Enrollment
791
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
791
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pella
#3 of 5
public schools
Iowa high schools
#146 of 334
In district
#3 of 5
Pella Comm School District
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Pella High School
Pella High School serves 791 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Pella, Iowa, with a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1 among its 46 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned recognition as one of Iowa's top-performing high schools, ranking 160th out of 1,288 schools statewide and placing in the 88th percentile with a strong 7.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school demonstrates impressive academic achievement, with 92% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while 84% reach proficiency in mathematics.
These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective instruction across all grade levels. Located on East University Street, Pella High School serves a community characterized by educational attainment and economic stability. The surrounding area has a median household income of $86,588 and a median home value of $255,100, with 46% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a notably low poverty rate of just 3.9%.
The school sits in Marion County's town of Pella, a community of nearly 14,000 residents that values education and provides a supportive environment for student learning and growth.
Score Breakdown
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Pella High School — Students at Pella High School score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How Pella High School Compares
See how Pella High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 82% (2019) to 84% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 87% (2019) to 92% (2022).
Location
212 E University St, Pella, IA 50219
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pella High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Twin Cedars Jr-Sr High School (rated 7.3/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Bussey), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lynnville-Sully High School (rated 5.9/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Sully), with a very similar rating. Additionally, PELLA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Pella, see our Pella schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pella Middle School Pella | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Jefferson Intermediate Pella | 0.4 mi | 6.0 |
| PELLA CHRISTIAN GRADE SCHOOL Pella | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Madison Elementary School Pella | 0.4 mi | 6.0 |
| PELLA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Pella | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Pella | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Twin Cedars Elementary School Bussey | 12.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Twin Cedars Jr-Sr High School Bussey | 12.7 mi | 7.3 |
| SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully | 12.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Lynnville-Sully High School Sully | 12.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Lynnville-Sully Elementary School Sully | 12.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully | 12.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Northstar Elementary School Knoxville | 11.5 mi | 6.5 |
| PCM High School Monroe | 12.8 mi | 4.4 |
| West Elementary Knoxville | 12.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Knoxville High School Knoxville | 12.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Knoxville Middle School Knoxville | 12.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Monroe Elementary School Monroe | 13.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Oskaloosa Elementary School Oskaloosa | 13.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center - PK Oskaloosa | 14.0 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50219 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,601
Median Home Value
$272,600
Median Rent
$995/mo
Population
14,267
College Educated
46%
Homeownership
69.5%
Avg Commute
14.4 min
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Median Age
37.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pella High School has a median household income of $83,601. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $272,600, with a median rent of $995/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 14 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 |
|---|---|
| Central DeWitt High School De Witt, IA | 6.2 |
| Gilbert High School Gilbert, IA | 6.2 |
| North Polk High School Alleman, IA | 6.2 |
| Crestwood High School Cresco, IA | 6.3 |
| Marion High School Marion, IA | 6.3 |
| Clarinda High School Clarinda, IA | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pella High School
What grades does Pella High School serve?
Pella High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Pella High School?
Pella High School has an enrollment of approximately 791 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pella High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Pella High School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pella High School rank in IA?
Pella High School is ranked #718 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Pella High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pella High School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Pella High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pella High School has 85.6% math proficiency and 89.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pella High School a charter school?
No, Pella High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pella High School a Title I school?
No, Pella High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pella High School?
13.5% of students at Pella 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,060/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pella). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 791
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Marion County
- Phone
- (641) 628-3870
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pella Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 2,476
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,217
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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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