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Very Good

#326 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 25% in state

South Winneshiek High School

High School · South Winneshiek Comm School District

PO BOX 430 203 W South St, Calmar, IA 52132

Enrollment

195

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa high schools

#55 of 334

In district

#2 of 3

South Winneshiek Comm School District

School environment

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About South Winneshiek High School

South Winneshiek High School is a regular public high school located in Calmar, Iowa, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 195 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each student reach their full potential. The dedicated staff consists of 15 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to ensure that all students excel academically.

South Winneshiek High School has earned an overall MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and is ranked at the 67th percentile among Iowa schools, placing it at number 425 out of 1288 high schools in the state. The school's academic performance in ELA/Reading stands at 77% proficiency or above, while Math and Science scores are even stronger with 83% and 81% proficient or above, respectively. The school is situated in a rural setting, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere that fosters strong relationships between teachers and students.

South Winneshiek High School offers a supportive environment where each student can thrive both academically and personally amidst the serene backdrop of rural Iowa.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 195 students, South Winneshiek High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, South Winneshiek 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 Progress6.0Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.0Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+5.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.1 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)76%
vs. Expected-1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,035

South Winneshiek High School — Students at South Winneshiek High School score 74% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 82.9%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 77.1%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 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
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
86.2%
ELA
78.1%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How South Winneshiek High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
75th percentile in IA
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

PO BOX 430 203 W South St, Calmar, IA 52132

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Winneshiek High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. North Fayette Valley High School (rated 7.8/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby West Union), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Crestwood High School (rated 6.3/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Cresco), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Decorah High School (rated 6.1/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Decorah), a more accessible option. For more schools in Calmar, see our Calmar schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.9 mi
School Distance Rating
South Winneshiek Elementary School Ossian 5.9 mi 7.9
South Winneshiek Middle School Ossian 5.9 mi 7.0
KINDERHAUS Decorah 9.3 mi
Carrie Lee Elementary Decorah 9.2 mi 6.0
CROSSROADS ACADEMY Decorah 9.1 mi
Decorah Middle School Decorah 9.2 mi 8.0
ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Decorah 9.1 mi 6.0
NE IOWA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Decorah 9.4 mi 6.6
John Cline Elementary School Decorah 9.5 mi 7.9
Decorah High School Decorah 9.6 mi 6.1
Turkey Valley Elementary School Jackson Junction 9.8 mi 9.4
Turkey Valley Jr-Sr High School Jackson Junction 9.8 mi 4.9
North Fayette Valley High School West Union 15.0 mi 7.8
West Union Elementary School West Union 15.2 mi 8.4
TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Protivin 11.6 mi 5.0
SCENIC VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fayette 18.9 mi
Valley Elementary School Elgin 18.0 mi 6.1
North Fayette Valley Middle School Elgin 18.0 mi 7.1
Cresco Early Childhood Development Center Cresco 17.8 mi 5.6
Crestwood High School Cresco 17.9 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52132 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,621

Median Home Value

$225,700

Median Rent

$743/mo

Population

1,856

College Educated

23.9%

Homeownership

68.8%

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

37.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Winneshiek High School has a median household income of $97,621. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $225,700, with a median rent of $743/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% 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
Riceville High School Riceville, IA 7.3
Twin Cedars Jr-Sr High School Bussey, IA 7.3
West Monona High School Onawa, IA 7.3
Fremont-Mills Middle And Senior High School Tabor, IA 7.2
Keota High School Keota, IA 7.2
Missouri Valley High School Missouri Valley, IA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Winneshiek High School

What grades does South Winneshiek High School serve?

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

How many students attend South Winneshiek High School?

South Winneshiek High School has an enrollment of approximately 195 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South Winneshiek High School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Winneshiek High School rank in IA?

South Winneshiek High School is ranked #326 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is South Winneshiek High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Winneshiek High School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Winneshiek High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Winneshiek High School has 82.9% math proficiency and 77.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Winneshiek High School a charter school?

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

Is South Winneshiek High School a Title I school?

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

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

26.2% of students at South Winneshiek 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
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (145/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
195
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Winneshiek County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South Winneshiek Comm School District
District Enrollment
554
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,821
District Rank
#2 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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