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
Enrollment
241
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Underwood High School — Students at Underwood High School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.1%
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: 5.8/10.
How Underwood High School Compares
See how Underwood High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84.5% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 84.5% (2019) to 92% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (712) 566-2703
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Underwood Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 862
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,420
- 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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