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Average

#737 of 1,280 schools in IA

Washington High School

High School · Cherokee Comm School District

600 W Bluff St, Cherokee, IA 51012

Enrollment

377

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cherokee

#1 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#152 of 334

In district

#1 of 3

Cherokee Comm School District

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Washington High School

Washington High School serves 377 students in grades 9-12 in Cherokee, Iowa, earning recognition as one of the state's higher-performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking 125th among Iowa's 1,288 schools, the school places in the 90th percentile statewide. The academic program shows particular strength, with an impressive 88% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, while 75% achieve proficiency in mathematics.

The school maintains a favorable learning environment with 27 full-time equivalent teachers serving its student body, creating a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 that allows for more individualized attention. This manageable size enables the school to foster close relationships between educators and students while maintaining academic rigor. Washington High School draws from a community where the median household income is $55,792 and median home values average $146,700.

About 22% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 17.7%. The school is situated in a rural setting near the town of Cherokee, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to educational opportunities that clearly support strong academic achievement.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Washington 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 Progress7.4Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75%
Reading/ELA Proficiency88%
Math vs. State Avg+8.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.9 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College Readiness3.0Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,834

Washington High School — Students at Washington High School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 71.2%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 79.7%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
69%
ELA
81%
2022
Math
75%
ELA
88%
2025
Math
72.1%
ELA
79%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Washington High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
43th percentile in IA
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

600 W Bluff St, Cherokee, IA 51012

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Washington High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Alta-Aurelia High School (rated 7.5/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Alta), which scores notably higher. Another option is River Valley Junior- Senior High School (rated 6.8/10, 22.2 miles away, in nearby Correctionville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, South O'Brien Secondary School (rated 6.5/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Paullina), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cherokee, see our Cherokee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Cherokee Elementary School Cherokee 0.7 mi 5.8
Cherokee Middle School Cherokee 0.7 mi 5.8
Aurelia Elementary School Aurelia 7.1 mi 8.9
Alta-Aurelia Middle School Aurelia 7.1 mi 7.8
River Valley Elementary Washta 15.1 mi 7.1
MMCRU Marcus Elementary Marcus 13.2 mi 8.5
ZION-ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paullina 16.4 mi 6.6
MMCRU High School Marcus 13.3 mi 6.1
South O'Brien Secondary School Paullina 16.7 mi 6.5
Alta Elementary School Alta 14.3 mi 8.3
Alta-Aurelia High School Alta 14.3 mi 7.5
Galva-Holstein Elementary School Holstein 18.6 mi 6.3
Ridge View High School Holstein 18.6 mi 5.0
Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary Galva 18.7 mi 5.8
South O'Brien Elem Sch Primghar Center Primghar 23.2 mi 7.5
Storm Lake Early Elementary School Storm Lake 18.1 mi 7.5
Storm Lake Middle School Storm Lake 18.3 mi 3.8
Storm Lake Elementary Storm Lake 18.3 mi 4.6
River Valley Junior- Senior High School Correctionville 22.2 mi 6.8
Schaller-Crestland Elementary Schaller 22.2 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51012 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,964

Median Home Value

$127,900

Median Rent

$725/mo

Population

6,313

College Educated

20.3%

Homeownership

67.3%

Poverty Rate

22.1%

Median Age

43.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Washington High School has a median household income of $56,964. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $127,900, with a median rent of $725/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BURLINGTON NOTRE DAME JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Burlington, IA 6.1
Central Lee High School Donnellson, IA 6.1
Clarinda High School Clarinda, IA 6.1
Greene County High School Jefferson, IA 6.1
Northwood-Kensett MIddle/High School Northwood, IA 6.1
Union High School La Porte City, IA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Washington High School

What grades does Washington High School serve?

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

How many students attend Washington High School?

Washington High School has an enrollment of approximately 377 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Washington 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 Washington High School rank in IA?

Washington High School is ranked #737 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Washington High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Washington High School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Washington High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Washington High School has 71.2% math proficiency and 79.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Washington High School a charter school?

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

Is Washington High School a Title I school?

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

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

35.3% of students at Washington 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
Average (543/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
377
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Cherokee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cherokee Comm School District
District Enrollment
1,217
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,202
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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