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Below Average

#1171 of 1,280 schools in IA

Wapsie Valley High School

High School · Wapsie Valley Comm School District

RR 2 2535 Viking Ave, Fairbank, IA 50629

Enrollment

293

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

4.4

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fairbank

#2 of 2

public schools

Iowa high schools

#302 of 334

In district

#3 of 3

Wapsie Valley Comm School District

About Wapsie Valley High School

Wapsie Valley High School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Fairbank, Iowa. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, Wapsie Valley High School offers a comprehensive education to its 293 enrolled students with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. The school has 21 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality instruction in a supportive environment.

Academically, Wapsie Valley High School's MySchoolScout rating is 4.8 out of 10, placing it at the 34th percentile among Iowa schools with a state ranking of #845 out of 1288. The school’s proficiency rates in ELA/Reading stand at 73%, math at 69%, and science at 60%. These scores suggest that while there is room for improvement, the school remains committed to fostering academic growth among its students.

Wapsie Valley High School sits amidst a picturesque rural setting, offering students a tranquil environment conducive to learning. The school community places value on personal connections and individualized support, making it a nurturing place for young people to grow both academically and personally.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Wapsie Valley 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 Progress3.8Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.0Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74%
Math vs. State Avg-2.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.8 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)80%
vs. Expected-7.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College Readiness2.1Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,466

Wapsie Valley High School — Students at Wapsie Valley High School score 72% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.0%
School
State
69.9%
ELA Proficiency 73.5%
School
State
75.9%

Based on 18 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
72%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
71%
ELA
69%
2022
Math
70%
ELA
74%
2025
Math
67.8%
ELA
73.6%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Wapsie Valley High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
9th percentile in IA
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

RR 2 2535 Viking Ave, Fairbank, IA 50629

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wapsie Valley High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Tripoli Middle/Sr High School (rated 8.0/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Tripoli), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sumner-Fredericksburg High School (rated 7.0/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Sumner), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Denver Senior High School (rated 7.0/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Denver), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fairbank, see our Fairbank schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Readlyn Elementary School Readlyn 4.6 mi 7.1
COMMUNITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Readlyn 5.2 mi
Fairbank Elementary School Fairbank 5.5 mi 5.1
Dunkerton Elementary Dunkerton 7.9 mi 8.4
Dunkerton High School Dunkerton 7.9 mi 6.4
Rural Elementary School #4 Fairbank 7.5 mi
Triumph Elementary School Jesup 9.7 mi 2.0
Rural Elementary School #1 Fairbank 8.7 mi
Tripoli Middle/Sr High School Tripoli 10.3 mi 8.0
Tripoli Elementary School Tripoli 10.3 mi 8.0
Rural Elementary School #2 Fairbank 9.2 mi
Durant Elementary School Sumner 11.9 mi 8.4
Sumner-Fredericksburg High School Sumner 12.0 mi 7.0
Denver Middle School Denver 9.5 mi 6.3
Denver Senior High School Denver 9.5 mi 7.0
Denver Elementary School - Lincoln Street Building Denver 9.7 mi 7.6
Prairie Grove Elementary School Jesup 11.1 mi
Denver Early Elementary School Denver 9.8 mi 7.2
Jesup Elementary School Jesup 14.4 mi 7.8
Jesup High School Jesup 14.4 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 50629 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$102,750

Median Home Value

$193,900

Median Rent

$724/mo

Population

2,335

College Educated

20.9%

Homeownership

83.5%

Avg Commute

23.5 min

Poverty Rate

1.6%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wapsie Valley High School has a median household income of $102,750. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $193,900, with a median rent of $724/month. The local poverty rate of 1.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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
PCM High School Monroe, IA 4.4
Tipton High School Tipton, IA 4.3
Anamosa High School Anamosa, IA 4.6
Metro High School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.6
Centerville High School Centerville, IA 4.7
Spirit Lake High School Spirit Lake, IA 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wapsie Valley High School

What grades does Wapsie Valley High School serve?

Wapsie Valley High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Wapsie Valley High School?

Wapsie Valley High School has an enrollment of approximately 293 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wapsie Valley High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Wapsie Valley High School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wapsie Valley High School rank in IA?

Wapsie Valley High School is ranked #1171 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Wapsie Valley High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Wapsie Valley High School has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Wapsie Valley High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wapsie Valley High School has 69.0% math proficiency and 73.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wapsie Valley High School a charter school?

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

Is Wapsie Valley High School a Title I school?

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

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

20.1% of students at Wapsie Valley 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

City Safety
Elevated (969/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
293
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Bremer County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Wapsie Valley Comm School District
District Enrollment
680
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,234
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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