Average
#874 of 1,280 schools in IA
Spencer High School
High School · Spencer Comm School District
PO BOX 200 800 E 3rd St, Spencer, IA 51301
Enrollment
718
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
718
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spencer
#3 of 5
public schools
Iowa high schools
#202 of 334
In district
#3 of 5
Spencer Comm School District
Equity
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Spencer High School
Spencer High School is a regular public high school located in Spencer, Iowa, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 718 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.9:1, the school ensures that each student receives individual attention. The campus houses 40 full-time equivalent teachers who work to support academic success.
Spencer High School's academic performance is noteworthy, with 82% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, 76% proficient or above in Math, and 77% proficient or above in Science. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 6.2 out of 10, placing it at the 65th percentile among all Iowa schools. Despite these strong results, there is room for continued academic growth.
The school is situated in a remote town, providing a close-knit community atmosphere where students can develop their skills and passions outside of academics as well. Spencer High School offers its students a supportive environment that fosters personal and intellectual development within the rural setting of Clay County.
Score Breakdown
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Spencer High School — Students at Spencer High School score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.5%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.5/10.
How Spencer High School Compares
See how Spencer High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 73% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 79% (2022).
Location
PO BOX 200 800 E 3rd St, Spencer, IA 51301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Spencer High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Sioux Central High School (rated 6.8/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Sioux Rapids), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ruthven-Ayrshire High School (rated 6.3/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Ruthven), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Okoboji High School (rated 5.2/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Milford), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Spencer, see our Spencer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Spencer Middle School Spencer | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Fairview Park Elementary Spencer | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Spencer | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Johnson Elementary Spencer | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Clay Central-Everly Elementary Royal | 9.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Okoboji Elementary School Milford | 12.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Okoboji Middle School Milford | 12.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Okoboji High School Milford | 12.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril | 13.9 mi | 9.1 |
| Ruthven-Ayrshire Elementary School Ruthven | 11.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Ruthven-Ayrshire High School Ruthven | 11.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids | 18.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Sioux Central Elementary School Sioux Rapids | 18.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Sioux Central High School Sioux Rapids | 18.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Spirit Lake Elementary School Spirit Lake | 19.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Spirit Lake Middle School Spirit Lake | 19.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake | 19.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School Hartley | 17.9 mi | 9.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,175
Median Home Value
$180,400
Median Rent
$796/mo
Population
12,402
College Educated
27.5%
Homeownership
69.5%
Avg Commute
17.3 min
Poverty Rate
13%
Median Age
41.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Spencer High School has a median household income of $61,175. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,400, with a median rent of $796/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Western Dubuque High School Epworth, IA | 5.7 |
| Webster City High School Webster City, IA | 5.9 |
| Ballard High School Huxley, IA | 5.6 |
| Glenwood Senior High School Glenwood, IA | 5.6 |
| Hampton-Dumont High School Hampton, IA | 5.6 |
| Oskaloosa High School Oskaloosa, IA | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Spencer High School
What grades does Spencer High School serve?
Spencer High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Spencer High School?
Spencer High School has an enrollment of approximately 718 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Spencer High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Spencer High School is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Spencer High School rank in IA?
Spencer High School is ranked #874 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Spencer High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Spencer High School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Spencer High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spencer High School has 75.8% math proficiency and 81.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Spencer High School a charter school?
No, Spencer High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Spencer High School a Title I school?
No, Spencer High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spencer High School?
37.5% of students at Spencer 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,052/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Spencer). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 718
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Clay County
- Phone
- (712) 262-1700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Spencer Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 2,267
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,081
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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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