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Very Good

#331 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 26% in state

West Monona High School

High School · West Monona Comm School District

1314 15th St, Onawa, IA 51040

Enrollment

191

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Onawa

#2 of 3

public schools

Iowa high schools

#57 of 334

In district

#2 of 3

West Monona Comm School District

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About West Monona High School

West Monona High School is a regular public high school located in Onawa, Iowa, nestled in the rural setting of Monona County. With an enrollment of 191 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, the school provides a personalized learning environment where each student receives individual attention from its 13 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, West Monona High School ranks #508 out of 1288 schools in Iowa, placing it at the 61st percentile with room for improvement.

The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 78%, while Math proficiency stands at 63% and Science proficiency at 75%. Though these scores indicate areas where further growth could be beneficial, the school remains committed to fostering student development in a supportive rural community. West Monona High School sits on 15th Street, surrounded by the serene landscapes of Onawa, making it an integral part of this close-knit and friendly neighborhood.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 191 students, West Monona High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, West Monona 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 Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.4Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg-4.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.1 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College Readiness7.6Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,752

West Monona High School — Students at West Monona High School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 63.5%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 78.3%
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
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2025
Math
65.8%
ELA
83.8%

* 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 West Monona High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
74th percentile in IA
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

1314 15th St, Onawa, IA 51040

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Monona High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NORTHEAST SECONDARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 19.8 miles away, in nearby Lyons), which scores slightly higher. Another option is OAKLAND CRAIG JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.9/10, 22.5 miles away, in nearby Oakland), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Whiting Senior High School (rated 7.8/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Whiting), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Onawa, see our Onawa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.5 mi
School Distance Rating
West Monona Middle School Onawa 0.0 mi 9.0
West Monona Elementary Onawa 1.0 mi 7.0
Whiting Elementary School Whiting 7.7 mi 4.8
Whiting Senior High School Whiting 7.7 mi 7.8
Westwood Elementary School Sloan 15.5 mi 7.6
Westwood High School Sloan 15.5 mi 5.5
UMO N HO N NATION ELEM SCHOOL Macy 14.3 mi 6.7
UMO N HO N NATION HIGH SCHOOL Macy 14.3 mi 6.5
UMO N HO N NATION MIDDLE SCH Macy 14.3 mi 5.9
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT TEKAMAH Tekamah 17.9 mi 6.9
HIGH SCHOOL AT TEKAMAH Tekamah 17.9 mi 6.7
West Harrison Elementary Mondamin 22.1 mi 7.6
West Harrison Middle School/High School Mondamin 22.1 mi 7.2
Maple Valley-Anthon Oto High School Mapleton 18.8 mi 7.0
Mapleton Elementary School Mapleton 18.8 mi 9.2
NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY AT LYONS Lyons 19.8 mi 7.0
NORTHEAST SECONDARY SCHOOL Lyons 19.8 mi 8.1
OAKLAND CRAIG ELEMENTARY Oakland 22.4 mi 8.5
Bronson Elementary School Bronson 27.4 mi 7.1
OAKLAND CRAIG JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH Oakland 22.5 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 51040 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,642

Median Home Value

$140,400

Median Rent

$828/mo

Population

3,388

College Educated

17.6%

Homeownership

73.8%

Avg Commute

20.6 min

Poverty Rate

14.6%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Monona High School has a median household income of $60,642. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $140,400, with a median rent of $828/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Riceville High School Riceville, IA 7.3
South Winneshiek High School Calmar, IA 7.3
Twin Cedars Jr-Sr High School Bussey, IA 7.3
Fremont-Mills Middle And Senior High School Tabor, IA 7.2
Keota High School Keota, IA 7.2
Missouri Valley High School Missouri Valley, IA 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Monona High School

What grades does West Monona High School serve?

West Monona High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend West Monona High School?

West Monona High School has an enrollment of approximately 191 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Monona High School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Monona High School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Monona High School rank in IA?

West Monona High School is ranked #331 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is West Monona High School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Monona High School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 West Monona High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Monona High School has 63.5% math proficiency and 78.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Monona High School a charter school?

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

Is West Monona High School a Title I school?

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

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

50.8% of students at West Monona 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
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (534/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
191
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Monona County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Monona Comm School District
District Enrollment
645
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,885
District Rank
#2 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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