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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-35.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.8 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)73%
vs. Expected-21.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,230

Ruthven-ayrshire High School — Students at Ruthven-ayrshire High School score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 51.1%
School
State
69.6%
ELA Proficiency 68.8%
School
State
73.0%

Based on 10 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
56.1%
ELA
77.7%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.3/10
46th percentile in IA
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven 0.0 mi 5.7
Graettinger-Terril High School Graettinger 10.4 mi 7.5
Graettinger-Terril Middle School Graettinger 10.4 mi 6.9
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril 12.5 mi 9.1
Emmetsburg High School Emmetsburg 10.6 mi 4.8
Emmetsburg Middle School Emmetsburg 10.6 mi 8.6
West Elementary School Emmetsburg 11.0 mi 7.8
EMMETSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL Emmetsburg 11.4 mi 7.3
IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer 11.4 mi 6.2
Spencer Middle School Spencer 11.5 mi 5.9
Spencer High School Spencer 11.7 mi 5.8
Fairview Park Elementary Spencer 12.0 mi 3.9
Lincoln Elementary School Spencer 12.6 mi 5.2
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer 12.7 mi 6.8
Johnson Elementary Spencer 12.9 mi 7.5
Demoney Elementary Estherville 19.0 mi 6.1
Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville 19.0 mi 7.9
Estherville Lincoln Central High School Estherville 19.0 mi 5.8
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens 19.5 mi 4.2
Okoboji Elementary School Milford 18.2 mi 8.6

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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