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#873 of 1,280 schools in IA

Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School

High School · Pocahontas Area Comm School District

202 1st Ave SW, Pocahontas, IA 50574

Enrollment

374

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

5.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pocahontas

#1 of 2

public schools

Iowa high schools

#201 of 334

In district

#1 of 2

Pocahontas Area Comm School District

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School

Pocahontas Area Middle/High School is a regular public school located in the rural heart of Pocahontas, Iowa. The school serves students from seventh grade through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 374 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1. Teachers at Pocahontas Area Middle/High School are dedicated professionals who support a wide range of academic programs.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.5 out of 10, placing it around the middle in the state rankings at #637 out of 1288 schools. Academic performance data shows that 73% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 69% in Math, while 70% meet proficiency standards in Science. Although these scores indicate room for improvement, the school is committed to supporting student development and growth.

The setting of Pocahontas Area Middle/High School is situated in a remote rural area, offering students a tight-knit community environment with close relationships between teachers, staff, and families.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Pocahontas Area Middle/ 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 Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.6Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65%
Math vs. State Avg-8.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.8 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected+5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College Readiness1.3Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,417

Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School — Students at Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.6%
School
State
69.9%
ELA Proficiency 73.5%
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
67%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
65%
ELA
70%
2022
Math
64%
ELA
65%
2025
Math
70.5%
ELA
77.2%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School Compares

See how Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
32th percentile in IA
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

202 1st Ave SW, Pocahontas, IA 50574

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. West Bend-Mallard High School (rated 6.5/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby West Bend), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Newell-Fonda High School (rated 6.1/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Newell), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Manson Northwest Webster Junior High/High School (rated 4.9/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Manson), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Pocahontas, see our Pocahontas schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Pocahontas Area Elementary School Pocahontas 0.1 mi 5.4
Pocahontas Area Regional Learning Center Pocahontas 0.2 mi
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens 12.2 mi 4.2
Gilmore City Elementary School Gilmore City 11.9 mi 4.7
Manson Northwest Webster Junior High/High School Manson 15.6 mi 4.9
Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School Albert City 14.4 mi 8.8
West Bend-Mallard Elementary School West Bend 19.2 mi 4.3
West Bend-Mallard Middle School West Bend 19.2 mi 5.6
West Bend-Mallard High School West Bend 19.2 mi 6.5
South Central Calhoun Elementary School Rockwell City 23.5 mi 7.1
South Central Calhoun Middle School Rockwell City 23.6 mi 4.8
Newell-Fonda Middle Sch. Newell 18.7 mi 4.2
Newell-Fonda Elementary Newell 18.7 mi 6.8
Newell-Fonda High School Newell 18.7 mi 6.1
EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL Emmetsburg 25.5 mi 7.3
West Elementary School Emmetsburg 26.3 mi 7.8
Emmetsburg High School Emmetsburg 26.5 mi 4.8
Emmetsburg Middle School Emmetsburg 26.5 mi 8.6
Manson Northwest Webster Elementary Barnum 22.4 mi 7.0
Twin Rivers Elementary School Bode 21.5 mi 8.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50574 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,589

Median Home Value

$104,700

Median Rent

$801/mo

Population

2,103

College Educated

21.8%

Homeownership

79.2%

Avg Commute

15.5 min

Poverty Rate

9%

Median Age

48.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School has a median household income of $57,589. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $104,700, with a median rent of $801/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
East Marshall Senior High School Le Grand, IA 5.8
Estherville Lincoln Central High School Estherville, IA 5.8
Hudson High School Hudson, IA 5.8
South Central Calhoun High School Lake City, IA 5.8
Underwood High School Underwood, IA 5.8
East Sac County High School Lake View, IA 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School

What grades does Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School serve?

Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School?

Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School has an enrollment of approximately 374 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School rank in IA?

Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School is ranked #873 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School has 68.6% math proficiency and 73.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School a charter school?

No, Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School a Title I school?

No, Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pocahontas Area Middle/ High School?

57.0% of students at Pocahontas Area Middle/ 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 (156/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
374
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Pocahontas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pocahontas Area Comm School District
District Enrollment
706
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,766
District Rank
#1 of 2

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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