Needs Improvement
#1278 of 1,280 schools in IA
Storm Lake High School
High School · Storm Lake Comm School District
621 Tornado Dr, Storm Lake, IA 50588
Enrollment
805
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
2.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
805
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
2.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Storm Lake
#6 of 6
public schools
Iowa high schools
#334 of 334
In district
#6 of 6
Storm Lake Comm School District
About Storm Lake High School
Storm Lake High School serves grades 9–12 in Storm Lake, a remote town in Buena Vista County. The school enrolls 805 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18.3:1, supported by 44 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Storm Lake High School is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects.
In English/Language Arts, 51% of students scored at or above proficiency levels, while 48% met proficiency benchmarks in math and 37% in science. These results indicate the school has meaningful room for academic growth. The school's academic score of 1.6/10 reflects these challenges, and it ranks #1274 out of 1288 schools statewide, placing it in the first percentile.
Despite these academic headwinds, Storm Lake High School remains an integral part of its remote community, offering a four-year high school experience to local students. The school's setting in a rural Iowa town shapes its role as a central institution for the area's teenagers seeking their secondary education.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Storm Lake High School — Students at Storm Lake High School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.9%
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: 2.0/10.
How Storm Lake High School Compares
See how Storm Lake High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
621 Tornado Dr, Storm Lake, IA 50588
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Storm Lake High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Alta-Aurelia High School (rated 7.5/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Alta), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sioux Central High School (rated 6.8/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Sioux Rapids), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Newell-Fonda High School (rated 6.1/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Newell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Storm Lake, see our Storm Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 50588 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,475
Median Home Value
$178,800
Median Rent
$836/mo
Population
13,346
College Educated
23.1%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
11.7 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Median Age
32
Community Profile
The community surrounding Storm Lake High School has a median household income of $65,475. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,800, with a median rent of $836/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 12 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 |
|---|---|
| Iowa Connections Academy High School Anita, IA | 2.7 |
| Burlington Community High School Burlington, IA | 3.6 |
| Nevada High School Nevada, IA | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Storm Lake High School
What grades does Storm Lake High School serve?
Storm Lake High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Storm Lake High School?
Storm Lake High School has an enrollment of approximately 805 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Storm Lake High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Storm Lake High School is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Storm Lake High School rank in IA?
Storm Lake High School is ranked #1278 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Storm Lake High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Storm Lake High School has a composite rating of 2.4 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 Storm Lake High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Storm Lake High School has 47.6% math proficiency and 50.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Storm Lake High School a charter school?
No, Storm Lake High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Storm Lake High School a Title I school?
No, Storm Lake High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Storm Lake High School?
59.9% of students at Storm 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 (1,975/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Storm Lake). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 805
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Buena Vista County
- Phone
- (712) 732-8065
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Storm Lake Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 2,933
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,455
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
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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