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Average

#875 of 1,280 schools in IA

Underwood High School

High School · Underwood Comm School District

PO BOX 130 629 North Street, Underwood, IA 51576

Enrollment

241

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

5.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Underwood

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#203 of 334

In district

#3 of 3

Underwood Comm School District

Academic performance

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Underwood High School

Underwood High School serves 241 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Underwood, Iowa. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking #145 out of 1,288 Iowa high schools, placing it in the 89th percentile statewide.

Students excel particularly in English Language Arts and reading, with 92% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance is solid as well, with 72% of students reaching proficiency standards. Underwood High School is situated in a stable, affluent rural community where the median household income reaches $106,131 and the poverty rate is just 2.3%.

The area's median home value of $291,700 reflects the community's economic strength. While 29% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school serves as an important educational anchor for families in this tight-knit agricultural region. The school's rural setting in Pottawattamie County provides students with a close-knit educational environment where they can build strong relationships with teachers and classmates while preparing for their post-secondary goals.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Underwood 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 Progress5.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency92%
Math vs. State Avg+5.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.9 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)80%
vs. Expected+1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College Readiness3.8Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,339

Underwood High School — Students at Underwood High School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 79.9%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 91.2%
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
84.5%
2021*
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
92%
2025
Math
80.2%
ELA
92.9%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Underwood High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
32th percentile in IA
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
19%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

PO BOX 130 629 North Street, Underwood, IA 51576

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Underwood High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Treynor High School (rated 8.0/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Treynor), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tri-Center High School (rated 5.6/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Neola), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Abraham Lincoln High School (rated 5.3/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Council Bluffs), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Underwood, see our Underwood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Underwood Elementary School Underwood 0.4 mi 6.0
Underwood Middle School Underwood 0.4 mi 6.5
Tri-Center Middle School Neola 9.3 mi 6.5
Tri-Center Elementary School Neola 9.3 mi 7.9
Tri-Center High School Neola 9.3 mi 5.6
College View Elementary Council Bluffs 10.4 mi 7.7
Treynor High School Treynor 11.7 mi 8.0
Treynor Middle School Treynor 11.7 mi 5.6
Treynor Elementary School Treynor 11.8 mi 7.1
ST ALBERT CATHOLIC Council Bluffs 11.3 mi 5.9
Abraham Lincoln High School Council Bluffs 11.4 mi 5.3
Gerald W Kirn Middle School Council Bluffs 11.1 mi 6.7
Hoover Elementary School Council Bluffs 11.2 mi 7.9
Lewis & Clark Elementary School Council Bluffs 11.1 mi 6.8
ONESCHOOL GLOBAL Council Bluffs 13.0 mi
Titan Hill Intermediate School Council Bluffs 13.4 mi 5.7
Bloomer Elementary School Council Bluffs 12.6 mi 7.7
Lewis Central Middle School Council Bluffs 13.5 mi 6.6
Lewis Central Senior High School Council Bluffs 13.5 mi 4.4
Roosevelt Elementary School Council Bluffs 12.7 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51576 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$107,679

Median Home Value

$291,500

Median Rent

$819/mo

Population

1,890

College Educated

32.3%

Homeownership

90%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

2%

Median Age

37.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Underwood High School has a median household income of $107,679. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $291,500, with a median rent of $819/month. The local poverty rate of 2.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
East Marshall Senior High School Le Grand, IA 5.8
Edgewood-Colesburg High School Edgewood, IA 5.8
GMG Secondary School Garwin, IA 5.8
Lone Tree Middle-Senior High School Lone Tree, IA 5.8
South Central Calhoun High School Lake City, IA 5.8
Janesville Junior-Senior High School Janesville, IA 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Underwood High School

What grades does Underwood High School serve?

Underwood High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Underwood High School?

Underwood High School has an enrollment of approximately 241 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Underwood High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Underwood High School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Underwood High School rank in IA?

Underwood High School is ranked #875 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Underwood High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Underwood 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 Underwood High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Underwood High School has 79.9% math proficiency and 91.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Underwood High School a charter school?

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

Is Underwood High School a Title I school?

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

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

19.1% of students at Underwood 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

County Safety
Low (180/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
241
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Pottawattamie County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Underwood Comm School District
District Enrollment
862
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,420
District Rank
#3 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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