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Very Good

#459 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 36% in state

Pella High School

High School · Pella Comm School District

212 E University St, Pella, IA 50219

Enrollment

791

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#459 of 1,280

In Pella

#3 of 5

public schools

In district

#3 of 5

Pella Comm School District

Equity

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Pella High School

7.2/10

High School in Pella · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pella Middle School

8.2/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Jefferson Intermediate

7.7/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pella High School

Pella High School is a public high school in Pella, IA, part of Pella Comm School District. Pella High School serves approximately 791 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Pella High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #459 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Pella High School show 88% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 89% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts above IA schools
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • IA avg 6.0

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87.5% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency90.3% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+21 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.2 pts
Overall Proficiency89% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)87% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College Readiness6.6Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation12.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,217
Chronic Absenteeism10.4%

Pella High School — Students at Pella High School score 89% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 87%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 87.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 88.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.2% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2016
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2020*
Math
85%
ELA
89%
2021*
Math
85%
ELA
89%
2022
Math
84%
ELA
92%
2025
Math
87.5%
ELA
90.3%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Pella High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
64th percentile in IA
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.4%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·30 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Lynnville-Sully High School (rated 7.5/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Sully), with a very similar rating. Another option is PCM High School (rated 5.8/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Monroe), a more accessible option. Additionally, PELLA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 8.2
Jefferson Intermediate Pella 0.4 mi 7.7
PELLA CHRISTIAN GRADE SCHOOL Pella 0.5 mi 7.2
Madison Elementary School Pella 0.4 mi 7.1
PELLA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Pella 0.9 mi 5.7
Lincoln Elementary School Pella 1.0 mi 6.9
Twin Cedars Elementary School Bussey 12.7 mi 4.9
Twin Cedars Jr-Sr High School Bussey 12.7 mi 5.7
SULLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sully 12.4 mi 4.9
Lynnville-Sully High School Sully 12.9 mi 7.5
Lynnville-Sully Elementary School Sully 12.9 mi 8.6
Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully 12.9 mi 7.4
Northstar Elementary School Knoxville 11.5 mi 4.6
PCM High School Monroe 12.8 mi 5.8
West Elementary Knoxville 12.5 mi 6.1
Knoxville High School Knoxville 12.6 mi 5.2
Knoxville Middle School Knoxville 12.6 mi 6.1
Monroe Elementary School Monroe 13.5 mi 4.0
Oskaloosa Elementary School Oskaloosa 13.9 mi 7.4
Oskaloosa Early Childhood Center - PK Oskaloosa 14.0 mi 2.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Grinnell Community Senior High School Grinnell, IA 7.2
ADM Senior High School Adel, IA 7.3
Gilbert High School Gilbert, IA 7.1
MOC-Floyd Valley High School Orange City, IA 7.1
Western Dubuque High School Epworth, IA 7.1
Denison High School Denison, IA 7.0

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 ranks #459 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Pella High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pella High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Pella High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pella High School has 88% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 89% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.4%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

Pella Comm School District
District Enrollment
2,476
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,217
District Rank
#3 of 5

How we rate schools

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