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Very Good

#302 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 24% in state

Van Meter High School

High School · Van Meter Comm School District

PO BOX 257 520 1st Ave, Van Meter, IA 50261

Enrollment

305

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

7.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Van Meter

#1 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#51 of 334

In district

#1 of 3

Van Meter Comm School District

Equity

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Van Meter High School

Van Meter High School serves 305 students in grades 9-12 in this rural Iowa community within Dallas County. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking 65th out of 1,288 Iowa high schools, placing it in the 95th percentile statewide.

Students consistently perform well on standardized assessments, with 91% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 82% meet or exceed proficiency standards in Mathematics. This academic excellence reflects both the school's commitment to quality education and the supportive community environment. Van Meter High School draws students from an affluent area where the median household income reaches $140,257, significantly above state averages.

The community shows strong educational values, with 39% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains economic stability with just a 1.6% poverty rate. Median home values of $269,300 reflect the area's desirability and stability. The school sits in a rural setting near the town of Van Meter, offering students the benefits of small-town community connections while maintaining access to quality educational opportunities in this thriving Dallas County area.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Van Meter 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 Progress6.8Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82%
Reading/ELA Proficiency91%
Math vs. State Avg+15.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.9 pts
Overall Proficiency87%
Expected (poverty-adj.)86%
vs. Expected+0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation25.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.5Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,282

Van Meter High School — Students at Van Meter High School score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 86%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

8.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 87.0%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 92.4%
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
87%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2022
Math
82%
ELA
91%
2025
Math
88.6%
ELA
94.9%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Van Meter High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
77th percentile in IA
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
8%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

PO BOX 257 520 1st Ave, Van Meter, IA 50261

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Van Meter High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Northwest High School (rated 7.2/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Waukee), with a very similar rating. Another option is ADM Senior High School (rated 7.1/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Adel), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Waukee High School (rated 5.5/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Waukee), a more accessible option. For more schools in Van Meter, see our Van Meter schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Van Meter Elementary School Van Meter 0.0 mi 6.9
Van Meter Middle School Van Meter 0.0 mi 6.5
DeSoto Intermediate School Desoto 3.0 mi 7.8
Sugar Creek Elementary School Waukee 4.6 mi 6.3
Timberline School Waukee 5.8 mi 6.3
Waukee Elementary School Waukee 6.3 mi 6.2
ADM Senior High School Adel 6.4 mi 7.1
ADM Middle School Adel 6.4 mi 7.9
South Middle School Waukee 6.1 mi 4.7
Vince Meyer Early Learning Center Waukee 6.7 mi 6.0
Meadow View Elementary Adel 6.7 mi 6.0
Waukee Middle School Waukee 6.8 mi 7.1
Woodland Hills Elementary School West Des Moines 6.0 mi 6.6
Waukee High School Waukee 6.8 mi 5.5
Northwest High School Waukee 7.5 mi 7.2
Prairieview School Waukee 7.0 mi 5.5
Adel Elementary School Adel 7.5 mi 6.1
Maple Grove Elementary School West Des Moines 7.2 mi 6.4
Grant Ragan Elementary School Waukee 8.1 mi 4.9
Brookview Elementary School West Des Moines 7.7 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50261 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$150,341

Median Home Value

$318,600

Median Rent

$979/mo

Population

3,105

College Educated

41.3%

Homeownership

84.5%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

1.5%

Median Age

40.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Van Meter High School has a median household income of $150,341. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $318,600, with a median rent of $979/month. The local poverty rate of 1.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Aplington-Parkersburg High School Parkersburg, IA 7.4
English Valleys Jr-Sr High School North English, IA 7.4
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School Garner, IA 7.4
Griswold Middle/High School Griswold, IA 7.4
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School Hartley, IA 7.4
Interstate 35 High School Truro, IA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Van Meter High School

What grades does Van Meter High School serve?

Van Meter High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Van Meter High School?

Van Meter High School has an enrollment of approximately 305 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Meter High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Van Meter High School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Van Meter High School rank in IA?

Van Meter High School is ranked #302 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Van Meter High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Van Meter High School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Van Meter High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Meter High School has 87.0% math proficiency and 92.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Van Meter High School a charter school?

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

Is Van Meter High School a Title I school?

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

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

8.2% of students at Van Meter 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
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
12 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Low (110/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Van Meter). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
305
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
8.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Dallas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Van Meter Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,117
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,683
District Rank
#1 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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