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Average

#464 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 36% in state

Sioux Central High School

High School · Sioux Central Comm School District

4440 U.S. Hwy 71, Sioux Rapids, IA 50585

Enrollment

260

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sioux Rapids

#1 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#85 of 334

In district

#1 of 3

Sioux Central Comm School District

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Sioux Central High School

Sioux Central High School is a regular public high school serving students in grades 9 through 12. Located in the remote rural area of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, in Buena Vista County, it provides education to approximately 260 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1. The school has 19 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse academic needs.

Sioux Central High School's MySchoolScout rating is 6.0 out of 10, placing it at the 63rd percentile among Iowa schools, with a state ranking of #479 out of 1288 schools. Academically, the school scores an average of 5.5/10, showing that while there is room for improvement, students are generally proficient in core subjects like English Language Arts (ELA) and reading at 79%, math at 66%, and science at 71%. Sioux Central High School's setting offers a close-knit community where teachers and staff work closely with families to ensure student success.

The school is an integral part of the Sioux Rapids area, fostering a supportive learning environment in its rural surroundings.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Sioux Central 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 Progress9.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg-4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.1 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College Readiness5.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,197

Sioux Central High School — Students at Sioux Central High School score 70% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.3%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 78.6%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 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
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
73%
ELA
80.9%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How Sioux Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
64th percentile in IA
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

4440 U.S. Hwy 71, Sioux Rapids, IA 50585

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sioux Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Alta-Aurelia High School (rated 7.5/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Alta), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Spencer High School (rated 5.8/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Spencer), with a comparable rating. Additionally, St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS (rated 5.6/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Storm Lake), a more accessible option. For more schools in Sioux Rapids, see our Sioux Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids 0.0 mi 5.9
Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids 0.0 mi 6.0
Albert City-Truesdale Elementary School Albert City 11.9 mi 8.8
St Lake/IA Cntrl/Buena Vista Early College HS Storm Lake 15.8 mi 5.6
Storm Lake High School Storm Lake 15.8 mi 2.4
Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal 14.7 mi 8.1
East Early Childhood Ctr Storm Lake 16.0 mi 7.7
Storm Lake Early Elementary School Storm Lake 15.7 mi 7.5
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake 16.1 mi 3.8
Storm Lake Elementary Storm Lake 16.2 mi 4.6
Lincoln Elementary School Spencer 17.8 mi 5.2
Alta Elementary School Alta 16.5 mi 8.3
Alta-Aurelia High School Alta 16.5 mi 7.5
Spencer High School Spencer 18.4 mi 5.8
Johnson Elementary Spencer 18.8 mi 7.5
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer 19.0 mi 6.8
Spencer Middle School Spencer 19.2 mi 5.9
Fairview Park Elementary Spencer 19.3 mi 3.9
IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer 19.6 mi 6.2
Laurens-Marathon Elementary School Laurens 15.2 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50585 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,179

Median Home Value

$99,200

Median Rent

$641/mo

Population

1,165

College Educated

19.9%

Homeownership

86.5%

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

42.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sioux Central High School has a median household income of $70,179. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $99,200, with a median rent of $641/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cardinal High School Eldon, IA 6.8
Central Decatur MS/HS High School Leon, IA 6.8
Moravia High School Moravia, IA 6.8
Wapello Senior High School Wapello, IA 6.8
East Union Middle-High School Afton, IA 6.7
Glidden-Ralston Jr-Sr High School Glidden, IA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sioux Central High School

What grades does Sioux Central High School serve?

Sioux Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Sioux Central High School?

Sioux Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 260 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sioux Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sioux Central High School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sioux Central High School rank in IA?

Sioux Central High School is ranked #464 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Sioux Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sioux Central High School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Sioux Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sioux Central High School has 66.3% math proficiency and 78.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sioux Central High School a charter school?

No, Sioux Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sioux Central High School a Title I school?

No, Sioux Central High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sioux Central High School?

29.6% of students at Sioux Central 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 (169/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
260
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Buena Vista County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sioux Central Comm School District
District Enrollment
639
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,034
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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