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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.55 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.3Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg-4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.1 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,365

South Hardin High School — Students at South Hardin High School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.5%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 72.0%
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
57%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
74.3%
ELA
75.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.9/10
89th percentile in IA
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,803/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Eldora). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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