Average
#689 of 1,280 schools in IA
Ruthven-ayrshire High School
High School · Ruthven-Ayrshire Comm School District
PO BOX 159 1505 Washington St, Ruthven, IA 51358
Enrollment
70
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
6.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
70
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
6.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ruthven
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa high schools
#137 of 334
In district
#1 of 2
Ruthven-Ayrshire Comm School District
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Ruthven-ayrshire High School
Ruthven-Ayrshire High School is a small, rural high school located in Ruthven, Iowa. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 70 students and boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of 14 to 1, which allows for more individualized attention. With five full-time equivalent teachers, Ruthven-Ayrshire High School focuses on providing personalized support to its students.
The academic performance at Ruthven-Ayrshire is currently in the lower percentile range compared to other schools in Iowa, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.3 out of 10. In terms of proficiency, 69% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 51% meet the same standard in Math. The school is working to improve these scores and provide a strong educational foundation for its students.
Ruthven-Ayrshire High School sits in a remote rural setting, offering a close-knit community where everyone knows each other and values local traditions and support systems.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 70 students, Ruthven-ayrshire High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Ruthven-ayrshire High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Ruthven-ayrshire 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Ruthven-ayrshire High School — Students at Ruthven-ayrshire High School score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 10 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: 6.6/10.
How Ruthven-ayrshire High School Compares
See how Ruthven-ayrshire High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 64.5% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 159 1505 Washington St, Ruthven, IA 51358
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ruthven-ayrshire High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Graettinger-Terril High School (rated 7.5/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Graettinger), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spencer High School (rated 5.8/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Spencer), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Estherville Lincoln Central High School (rated 5.8/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Estherville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ruthven, see our Ruthven schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51358 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$70,921
Median Home Value
$146,900
Median Rent
$652/mo
Population
1,277
College Educated
28.7%
Homeownership
81.5%
Avg Commute
23.3 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
47.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ruthven-ayrshire High School has a median household income of $70,921. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,900, with a median rent of $652/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| WEST Academy Alternative School Newton, IA | 6.2 |
| Alternative School Mason City, IA | 6.1 |
| Orient-Macksburg Senior High School Orient, IA | 6.1 |
| Tri-County JR/SR High School Thornburg, IA | 6.1 |
| West Central Charter High School Maynard, IA | 6.1 |
| Paton-Churdan Jr-Sr High School Churdan, IA | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ruthven-ayrshire High School
What grades does Ruthven-ayrshire High School serve?
Ruthven-ayrshire High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Ruthven-ayrshire High School?
Ruthven-ayrshire High School has an enrollment of approximately 70 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ruthven-ayrshire High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ruthven-ayrshire High School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ruthven-ayrshire High School rank in IA?
Ruthven-ayrshire High School is ranked #689 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Ruthven-ayrshire High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ruthven-ayrshire High School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Ruthven-ayrshire High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ruthven-ayrshire High School has 51.1% math proficiency and 68.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ruthven-ayrshire High School a charter school?
No, Ruthven-ayrshire High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ruthven-ayrshire High School a Title I school?
No, Ruthven-ayrshire High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ruthven-ayrshire High School?
31.4% of students at Ruthven-ayrshire 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (427/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 70
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Palo Alto County
- Phone
- (712) 837-5212
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ruthven-Ayrshire Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 158
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,445
- District Rank
- #1 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 methodologyRelated reading
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