Skip to main content

Average

#517 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 40% in state

Union High School

High School · Union Comm School District

200 Adams St, La Porte City, IA 50651

Enrollment

315

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

6.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#517 of 1,280

In La Porte City

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Union Comm School District

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Union High School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Union High School

6.9/10

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

La Porte City Elementary School

9.4/10

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

Poyner Elementary

8.6/10

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

About Union High School

Union High School is a public high school in La Porte City, IA, part of Union Comm School District. Union High School serves approximately 315 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Union High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #517 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Union High School show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts above IA schools
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Union High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.41 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77.5% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.7% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg+11 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.6 pts
Overall Proficiency81% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)81% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
College Readiness5.6Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation2.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,149
Chronic Absenteeism27.9%

Union High School — Students at Union High School score 81% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 81%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 77.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 76.5% (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
72%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
69%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
69%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
65%
ELA
65%
2025
Math
77.5%
ELA
84.7%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Union High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
60th percentile in IA
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
AP Courses
1
State avg: 1.7
Sports
22
11 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
2.2% participation·State avg: 1.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
11 boys'·11 girls'·22 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

200 Adams St, La Porte City, IA 50651

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Union High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), with a comparable rating. Another option is Jesup High School (rated 5.8/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Jesup), a more accessible option. Additionally, West High School (rated 4.9/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Waterloo), a more accessible option. For more schools in La Porte City, see our La Porte City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.8 mi
School Distance Rating
La Porte City Elementary School La Porte City 0.6 mi 9.4
Poyner Elementary Evansdale 11.4 mi 8.6
Bunger Middle School Evansdale 11.5 mi 5.6
Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School Dysart 11.6 mi 9.2
Union Middle School Dysart 11.7 mi 8.6
Orange Elementary School Waterloo 11.4 mi 7.9
Kittrell Elementary School Waterloo 12.9 mi 7.5
COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo 12.7 mi 6.5
BLESSED MARIA ASSUNTA PALLOTTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Waterloo 12.7 mi 7.6
ST ATHANASIUS SCHOOL Jesup 13.0 mi 6.0
Highland Elementary School Waterloo 13.7 mi 7.5
Expo Alternative Learning Center Waterloo 13.8 mi 3.9
Jesup Elementary School Jesup 13.3 mi 7.9
Jesup High School Jesup 13.3 mi 5.8
Jesup Middle School Jesup 13.3 mi 7.3
Lowell Elementary School Waterloo 13.6 mi 7.3
West High School Waterloo 13.3 mi 4.9
Lou Henry Elementary School Waterloo 13.3 mi 5.4
Hoover Middle School Waterloo 13.3 mi 7.2
ST EDWARD SCHOOL Waterloo 13.8 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50651 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,647

Median Home Value

$172,600

Median Rent

$838/mo

Population

3,349

College Educated

19%

Homeownership

79.7%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

37.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Central Springs High School Manly, IA 6.9
Lawton-Bronson Junior-Senior High School Lawton, IA 6.9
Albia High School Albia, IA 7.0
Cardinal High School Eldon, IA 7.0
Sibley-Ocheyedan High School Sibley, IA 7.0
South Hamilton Middle And High School Jewell, IA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Union High School

What grades does Union High School serve?

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

How many students attend Union High School?

Union High School has an enrollment of approximately 315 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Union High School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Union High School rank in IA?

Union High School ranks #517 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Union High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Union High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Union High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Union High School has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Union High School a charter school?

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

Is Union High School a Title I school?

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

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

25.7% of students at Union 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
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
315
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Black Hawk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.9%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

Union Comm School District
District Enrollment
985
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,149
District Rank
#4 of 4

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.