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Very Good

#386 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 30% in state

South Central Calhoun High School

High School · South Central Calhoun Comm School District

709 W Main St, Lake City, IA 51449

Enrollment

281

Student-Teacher

10.4:1

Score

7.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#386 of 1,280

In district

#1 of 3

South Central Calhoun Comm School District

School environment

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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South Central Calhoun High School

7.4/10

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

South Central Calhoun Middle School

4.7/10

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

South Central Calhoun Elementary School

4.6/10

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

About South Central Calhoun High School

South Central Calhoun High School is a public high school in Lake City, IA, part of South Central Calhoun Comm School District. South Central Calhoun High School serves approximately 281 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio. South Central Calhoun High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #386 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for South Central Calhoun High School show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts above IA schools
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

South Central Calhoun High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.56 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.7% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency77.7% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+1.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.6 pts
Overall Proficiency73% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)70% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College Readiness8.5Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,957
Chronic Absenteeism26.7%

South Central Calhoun High School — Students at South Central Calhoun High School score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 78.3% (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
77%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
95%
ELA
84.5%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
92%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2019
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
67.7%
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: 7.0/10.

How South Central Calhoun High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
70th percentile in IA
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
7.0/10
Very Good
Environment
7.6/10
Very Good
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.7%

Programs & Offerings

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

709 W Main St, Lake City, IA 51449

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Central Calhoun High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Coon Rapids-Bayard 6-12 Attendance Center (rated 8.2/10, 27.0 miles away, in nearby Coon Rapids), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Westside Junior-Senior High School (rated 7.3/10, 22.7 miles away, in nearby Westside), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Paton-Churdan Jr-Sr High School (rated 6.9/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Churdan), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lake City, see our Lake City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.8 mi
School Distance Rating
South Central Calhoun Middle School Rockwell City 10.0 mi 4.7
South Central Calhoun Elementary School Rockwell City 10.7 mi 4.6
Glidden-Ralston Elementary School Glidden 14.2 mi 5.3
Glidden-Ralston Jr-Sr High School Glidden 14.2 mi 6.3
Carroll Middle School Carroll 13.4 mi 5.3
Carroll High School Carroll 13.6 mi 6.5
Fairview Elementary School Carroll 14.3 mi 9.2
Adams Elementary School Carroll 14.9 mi 5.6
KUEMPER CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL Carroll 15.8 mi 6.0
Paton-Churdan Elementary Churdan 15.5 mi 7.0
Paton-Churdan Jr-Sr High School Churdan 15.5 mi 6.9
East Sac County Elementary Sac City 17.1 mi 4.5
East Sac County High School Lake View 16.4 mi 6.7
Manson Northwest Webster Junior High/High School Manson 21.5 mi 5.2
CR-B Elementary School Coon Rapids 27.0 mi 7.0
Coon Rapids-Bayard 6-12 Attendance Center Coon Rapids 27.0 mi 8.2
Westside Junior-Senior High School Westside 22.7 mi 7.3
Ar-We-Va Elementary Community School Westside 22.7 mi 8.1
Newell-Fonda Middle Sch. Newell 26.8 mi 5.8
Newell-Fonda Elementary Newell 26.8 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51449 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,750

Median Home Value

$119,300

Median Rent

$761/mo

Population

1,951

College Educated

18.2%

Homeownership

79.5%

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

48.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Camanche High School Camanche, IA 7.4
Dunkerton High School Dunkerton, IA 7.4
MMCRU High School Marcus, IA 7.4
Martensdale-St Marys Jr-Sr High School Martensdale, IA 7.4
Tripoli Middle/Sr High School Tripoli, IA 7.4
Van Meter High School Van Meter, IA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Central Calhoun High School

What grades does South Central Calhoun High School serve?

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

How many students attend South Central Calhoun High School?

South Central Calhoun High School has an enrollment of approximately 281 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South Central Calhoun High School is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Central Calhoun High School rank in IA?

South Central Calhoun High School ranks #386 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is South Central Calhoun High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Central Calhoun High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 South Central Calhoun High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Central Calhoun High School has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is South Central Calhoun High School a charter school?

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

Is South Central Calhoun High School a Title I school?

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

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

45.6% of students at South Central Calhoun 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Calhoun County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.7%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

South Central Calhoun Comm School District
District Enrollment
915
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,957
District Rank
#1 of 3

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