Below Average
#1202 of 1,280 schools in IA
Spirit Lake High School
High School · Spirit Lake Comm School District
2701 Hill Avenue, Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
4.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
4.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spirit Lake
#3 of 3
public schools
Iowa high schools
#312 of 334
In district
#3 of 3
Spirit Lake Comm School District
About Spirit Lake High School
Spirit Lake High School is a regular public high school serving students from ninth through twelfth grade in Spirit Lake, Iowa. The school has an enrollment of 396 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.5:1 with 24 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a remote town setting, the school offers a close-knit community environment where students receive personalized attention.
Spirit Lake High School's academic performance reflects room for growth, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and state ranking of #971 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (which is around the 25th percentile). The school’s proficiency rates show strong performance in reading with 82% of students meeting or exceeding standards, 74% in math, and an impressive 84% proficient or above in science. These scores highlight areas where the school excels while also identifying opportunities for improvement.
Spirit Lake High School is situated in a remote town setting, providing its students with a unique rural experience that fosters community engagement and close relationships between teachers and pupils.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Spirit Lake High School — Students at Spirit Lake High School score 72% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21.5%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.6/10.
How Spirit Lake High School Compares
See how Spirit Lake High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 68% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 76% (2022).
Location
2701 Hill Avenue, Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Spirit Lake High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Harris-Lake Park High School (rated 7.4/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Lake Park), which scores notably higher. Another option is Estherville Lincoln Central High School (rated 5.8/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Estherville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jackson County Central Senior High (rated 5.6/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Jackson), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Spirit Lake, see our Spirit Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 51360 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,464
Median Home Value
$256,000
Median Rent
$1,005/mo
Population
8,561
College Educated
34.8%
Homeownership
73.8%
Avg Commute
15.4 min
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Median Age
48.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Spirit Lake High School has a median household income of $77,464. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $256,000, with a median rent of $1,005/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 |
|---|---|
| Clarke Community High School Osceola, IA | 4.1 |
| Alburnett Senior High School Alburnett, IA | 4.0 |
| Atlantic High School Atlantic, IA | 4.0 |
| West Marshall High School State Center, IA | 4.0 |
| Algona High School Algona, IA | 4.2 |
| Center Point-Urbana High School Center Point, IA | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Spirit Lake High School
What grades does Spirit Lake High School serve?
Spirit Lake High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Spirit Lake High School?
Spirit Lake High School has an enrollment of approximately 396 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Spirit Lake High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Spirit Lake High School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Spirit Lake High School rank in IA?
Spirit Lake High School is ranked #1202 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Spirit Lake High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Spirit Lake High School has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Spirit Lake High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spirit Lake High School has 74.4% math proficiency and 81.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Spirit Lake High School a charter school?
No, Spirit Lake High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Spirit Lake High School a Title I school?
No, Spirit Lake High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spirit Lake High School?
21.5% of students at Spirit Lake 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
- City Safety
- High (1,746/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Spirit Lake). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 396
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Dickinson County
- Phone
- (712) 336-3707
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Spirit Lake Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 1,328
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,816
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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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