Very Good
#138 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 11% in state
South Hardin High School
High School · Eldora-New Providence Comm School District
1800 24th St, Eldora, IA 50627
Enrollment
236
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
236
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Eldora
#1 of 2
public schools
Iowa high schools
#15 of 334
In district
#1 of 2
Eldora-New Providence Comm School District
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About South Hardin High School
South Hardin High School is a regular public high school located in Eldora, Iowa, in the rural county of Hardin. With an enrollment of 236 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student. The faculty consists of 16 full-time equivalent teachers who support students as they progress through grades nine to twelve.
South Hardin High School's academic performance shows that 72% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 66% and 67% respectively meet proficiency levels in Math and Science. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranking at #528 out of 1288 schools statewide, the school has room for academic growth but focuses on student development. Set in Eldora's remote rural setting, South Hardin High School is surrounded by natural beauty and a close-knit community that values education.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Hardin 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
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South Hardin High School — Students at South Hardin High School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.5/10.
How South Hardin High School Compares
See how South Hardin High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
1800 24th St, Eldora, IA 50627
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Hardin High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. AGWSR High School (rated 7.8/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Ackley), with a very similar rating. Another option is BCLUW High School (rated 7.7/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Conrad), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Iowa Falls - Alden High School (rated 5.5/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Iowa Falls), a more accessible option. For more schools in Eldora, see our Eldora schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Eldora-New Providence Elementary School Eldora | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Choice Charter School Union | 8.0 mi | — |
| BCLUW Middle School Union | 8.1 mi | 7.7 |
| TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wellsburg | 9.4 mi | 5.6 |
| South Hardin Middle School Hubbard | 10.0 mi | 7.4 |
| AGWSR Middle School Wellsburg | 10.8 mi | 6.7 |
| AGWSR Elementary at Wellsburg Wellsburg | 10.8 mi | 7.6 |
| AGWSR Elementary School Ackley | 13.8 mi | 5.3 |
| AGWSR High School Ackley | 13.8 mi | 7.8 |
| The Cougars Den Ackley | 14.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Rock Run Elementary Iowa Falls | 14.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Riverbend Middle School Iowa Falls | 14.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Pineview Elementary Iowa Falls | 14.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Iowa Falls - Alden High School Iowa Falls | 14.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Colo-Nesco Elementary School Zearing | 16.1 mi | 6.0 |
| BCLUW Elementary School Conrad | 15.3 mi | 8.7 |
| BCLUW High School Conrad | 15.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Alden Elementary School Alden | 17.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Aplington Elementary School Aplington | 19.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Aplington-Parkersburg Middle School Aplington | 19.4 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50627 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,357
Median Home Value
$122,400
Median Rent
$730/mo
Population
3,431
College Educated
19.3%
Homeownership
72.1%
Avg Commute
22.7 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
42.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Hardin High School has a median household income of $71,357. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $122,400, with a median rent of $730/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Clayton Ridge High School Guttenberg, IA | 8.0 |
| East Mills Jr/Sr High School Hastings, IA | 8.0 |
| North Butler Jr/Sr High School Greene, IA | 8.0 |
| Treynor High School Treynor, IA | 8.0 |
| Tripoli Middle/Sr High School Tripoli, IA | 8.0 |
| AGWSR High School Ackley, IA | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Hardin High School
What grades does South Hardin High School serve?
South Hardin High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South Hardin High School?
South Hardin High School has an enrollment of approximately 236 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Hardin High School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Hardin High School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Hardin High School rank in IA?
South Hardin High School is ranked #138 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is South Hardin High School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Hardin High School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Hardin High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Hardin High School has 66.5% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Hardin High School a charter school?
No, South Hardin High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Hardin High School a Title I school?
No, South Hardin High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Hardin High School?
45.3% of students at South Hardin 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 236
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Hardin County
- Phone
- (641) 939-3421
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Eldora-New Providence Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 499
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,638
- 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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