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Average

#807 of 1,280 schools in IA

South Hamilton Middle and High School

High School · South Hamilton Comm School District

315 Division St, Jewell, IA 50130

Enrollment

315

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

6.0

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Jewell

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa high schools

#180 of 334

In district

#2 of 2

South Hamilton Comm School District

Academic performance

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About South Hamilton Middle and High School

South Hamilton Middle And High School serves 315 students in grades 7-12 in the small rural community of Jewell, Iowa. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention and stronger teacher-student relationships. Academically, South Hamilton performs well above average, earning a 7.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #189 out of 1,288 Iowa schools, placing it in the 85th percentile statewide.

The school demonstrates solid academic achievement with 83% of students performing proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 76% reach proficiency in Mathematics. These strong test results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence in its rural setting. The school sits in Hamilton County's zip code 50130, a stable community of 1,567 residents with a median household income of $78,816 and a low poverty rate of just 7.5%.

The area features affordable housing with a median home value of $128,600, though 28% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, suggesting a community that values education. South Hamilton Middle And High School provides quality education in Iowa's heartland, combining small-school advantages with strong academic performance in a close-knit rural environment.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, South Hamilton Middle and 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 Progress6.4Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.55 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76%
Reading/ELA Proficiency83%
Math vs. State Avg+3.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.2 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)76%
vs. Expected+3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College Readiness3.4Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation2.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,897

South Hamilton Middle and High School — Students at South Hamilton Middle and High School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.0%
School
State
69.9%
ELA Proficiency 85.5%
School
State
75.9%

Based on 18 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
77%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
75%
ELA
81%
2022
Math
76%
ELA
83%
2025
Math
77.5%
ELA
87.5%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How South Hamilton Middle and High School Compares

See how South Hamilton Middle and High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.0/10
37th percentile in IA
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

315 Division St, Jewell, IA 50130

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Hamilton Middle and High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gilbert High School (rated 6.2/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Gilbert), with a very similar rating. Another option is Webster City High School (rated 5.9/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Webster City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ames High School (rated 5.9/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Ames), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Jewell, see our Jewell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.1 mi
School Distance Rating
South Hamilton Elem Jewell 0.2 mi 7.9
Roland-Story Elementary School Story City 8.2 mi 6.4
Roland-Story High School Story City 8.4 mi 5.2
Northeast Hamilton Elementary School Webster City 12.3 mi 4.8
Gilbert Middle School Gilbert 13.4 mi 6.3
Gilbert Intermediate School Gilbert 13.5 mi 4.4
Gilbert Elementary School Gilbert 13.6 mi 4.6
Gilbert High School Gilbert 13.7 mi 6.2
Roland-Story Middle School Roland 12.1 mi 7.5
Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary School Radcliffe 10.8 mi 7.6
Pleasant View Elementary School Webster City 14.0 mi 7.1
ST THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL Webster City 14.4 mi 6.5
Webster City Middle School Webster City 14.5 mi 7.6
Sunset Heights Elementary School Webster City 14.6 mi 7.8
ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ames 17.4 mi 7.2
Northwood Pre-School Ames 17.4 mi 4.0
Webster City High School Webster City 15.1 mi 5.9
Fellows Elementary School Ames 17.9 mi 7.1
Ames High School Ames 18.1 mi 5.9
Meeker Elementary School Ames 18.1 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50130 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,934

Median Home Value

$143,100

Median Rent

$840/mo

Population

1,517

College Educated

26%

Homeownership

84.9%

Poverty Rate

8.8%

Median Age

38.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Hamilton Middle and High School has a median household income of $69,934. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,100, with a median rent of $840/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% 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
Cascade Junior-Senior High School Cascade, IA 6.0
Central Lyon Secondary School Rock Rapids, IA 6.0
Central Springs High School Manly, IA 6.0
Lisbon Secondary Lisbon, IA 6.0
Louisa-Muscatine JR/SR High School Letts, IA 6.0
Mid City High Davenport, IA 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Hamilton Middle and High School

What grades does South Hamilton Middle and High School serve?

South Hamilton Middle and High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend South Hamilton Middle and High School?

South Hamilton Middle and High School has an enrollment of approximately 315 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Hamilton Middle and High School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Hamilton Middle and 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 South Hamilton Middle and High School rank in IA?

South Hamilton Middle and High School is ranked #807 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is South Hamilton Middle and High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Hamilton Middle and High School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 South Hamilton Middle and High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Hamilton Middle and High School has 77.0% math proficiency and 85.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Hamilton Middle and High School a charter school?

No, South Hamilton Middle and High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Hamilton Middle and High School a Title I school?

No, South Hamilton Middle and High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Hamilton Middle and High School?

26.0% of students at South Hamilton Middle and 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 (222/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
315
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Hamilton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South Hamilton Comm School District
District Enrollment
670
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,459
District Rank
#2 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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