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Average

#979 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

5.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#979 of 1,280

In Spirit Lake

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Spirit Lake Comm School District

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Spirit Lake High School

5.1/10

High School in Spirit Lake · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Spirit Lake Elementary School

7.5/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Spirit Lake Middle School

6.5/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Spirit Lake High School

Spirit Lake High School is a public high school in Spirit Lake, IA, part of Spirit Lake Comm School District. Spirit Lake High School serves approximately 396 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Spirit Lake High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #979 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Spirit Lake High School show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below IA schools
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at Spirit Lake High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73.1% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency80.3% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+6.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.2 pts
Overall Proficiency77% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)83% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College Readiness4.8Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation6.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,816
Chronic Absenteeism35.9%

Spirit Lake High School — Students at Spirit Lake High School score 77% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 84.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.2% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2015
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2017
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2019
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2020*
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
68%
ELA
76%
2025
Math
73.1%
ELA
80.3%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Spirit Lake High School Compares

See how Spirit Lake High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
24th percentile in IA
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 1.7
Sports
3
2 boys' · 1 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
6.3% participation·State avg: 1.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics3sports offered
2 boys'·1 girls'·8 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.1/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Lake Park), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jackson County Central Senior High (rated 6.1/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Jackson), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Estherville Lincoln Central High School (rated 4.6/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Estherville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Spirit Lake, see our Spirit Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Spirit Lake Elementary School Spirit Lake 0.2 mi 7.5
Spirit Lake Middle School Spirit Lake 0.2 mi 6.5
Okoboji Elementary School Milford 7.0 mi 6.6
Okoboji High School Milford 7.0 mi 4.1
Okoboji Middle School Milford 7.2 mi 7.5
Graettinger-Terril Elementary School Terril 10.0 mi 6.9
Harris-Lake Park High School Lake Park 11.3 mi 8.1
Harris-Lake Park Elementary School Lake Park 11.5 mi 3.4
Jackson County Central Senior High Jackson 15.3 mi 6.1
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY Jackson 15.4 mi 6.0
IOWA GREAT LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spencer 17.9 mi 6.2
Spencer Middle School Spencer 18.3 mi 7.8
Fairview Park Elementary Spencer 18.3 mi 4.4
PLEASANTVIEW ELEMENTARY Lakefield 18.2 mi 4.9
JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL MIDDLE Lakefield 18.2 mi 5.7
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Spencer 18.6 mi 6.8
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakefield 18.6 mi 5.3
Johnson Elementary Spencer 18.9 mi 7.9
Estherville Lincoln Central Middle School Estherville 13.9 mi 8.1
Estherville Lincoln Central High School Estherville 14.0 mi 4.6

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Baxter High School Baxter, IA 5.1
Greene County High School Jefferson, IA 5.1
New London Jr-Sr High School New London, IA 5.1
South Tama County High School Tama, IA 5.1
Alburnett Senior High School Alburnett, IA 5.2
Algona High School Algona, IA 5.2

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 ranks #979 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Spirit Lake High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Spirit Lake High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Spirit Lake High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Spirit Lake High School has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
52 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.9%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Spirit Lake Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,328
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,816
District Rank
#3 of 3

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