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Average

#1041 of 1,823 schools in IN

Cowan High School

High School · Cowan Community School Corp

9401 S Nottingham, Muncie, IN 47302

Enrollment

350

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

6.1

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,041 of 1,823

In Muncie

#7 of 18

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Cowan Community School Corp

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Cowan High School

6.1/10

High School in Muncie · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cowan Elementary School

5.6/10

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

Muncie Virtual Academy

Nearby

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

About Cowan High School

Cowan High School is a public high school in Muncie, IN, part of Cowan Community School Corp. Cowan High School serves approximately 350 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Cowan High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,041 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Cowan High School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with IN schools
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • IN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Cowan 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 Progress5.3Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.56 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.3% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.9% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.8 pts
Overall Proficiency34% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-7.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College Readiness7.5Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
AP Participation14.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,494
Chronic Absenteeism21.4%

Cowan High School — Students at Cowan High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.6% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 61.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.5% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 33 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
80%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
22%
2025
Math
28.3%
ELA
39%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How Cowan High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
43th percentile in IN
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
5.3/10
Average
Environment
6.2/10
Average
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.6
Sports
5
3 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
14.6% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics5sports offered
3 boys'·2 girls'·7 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

9401 S Nottingham, Muncie, IN 47302

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cowan High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Indiana Academy for Sci Math Hmn (rated 9.3/10, 6.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Excel Center - Muncie (rated 2.9/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Indianapolis), a more accessible option. For more schools in Muncie, see our Muncie schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Cowan Elementary School Muncie 0.2 mi 5.6
Muncie Virtual Academy Muncie 3.3 mi
Southside Middle School Muncie 4.0 mi 3.8
Grissom Elementary School Muncie 4.2 mi 2.8
South View Elementary School Muncie 4.8 mi 2.4
Inspire Academy - A Sch of Inquiry Muncie 5.0 mi 3.2
Youth Opportunity Center Muncie 5.5 mi 4.9
Excel Center - Muncie Indianapolis 5.8 mi 2.9
East Washington Academy Muncie 6.1 mi 7.5
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Muncie 6.2 mi 8.7
ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Muncie 6.2 mi 8.0
Indiana Academy for Sci Math Hmn Muncie 6.2 mi 9.3
Burris Laboratory School Muncie 6.2 mi 7.9
West View Elementary School Muncie 6.3 mi 4.6
Muncie Central High School Muncie 6.5 mi 3.9
Longfellow Elementary School Muncie 7.1 mi 3.3
Northside Middle School Muncie 7.4 mi 5.2
North View Elementary School Muncie 8.0 mi 5.3
Yorktown Elementary School Yorktown 7.1 mi 7.0
Yorktown Middle School Yorktown 7.1 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 47302 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,185

Median Home Value

$70,800

Median Rent

$865/mo

Population

25,365

College Educated

11.5%

Homeownership

65%

Avg Commute

23.9 min

Poverty Rate

25.1%

Median Age

39.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bremen Senior High School Bremen, IN 6.1
Northfield Jr-Sr High School Wabash, IN 6.1
Shakamak Jr-Sr High School Jasonville, IN 6.1
Southmont Sr High School Crawfordsville, IN 6.1
Union City Community Jr/Sr High Union City, IN 6.1
Clinton Central Junior-Senior HS Michigantown, IN 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cowan High School

What grades does Cowan High School serve?

Cowan High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Cowan High School?

Cowan High School has an enrollment of approximately 350 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Cowan High School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cowan High School rank in IN?

Cowan High School ranks #1,041 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Cowan High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cowan High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 Cowan High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cowan High School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cowan High School a charter school?

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

Is Cowan High School a Title I school?

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

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

49.7% of students at Cowan 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Delaware County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.4%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

District

Cowan Community School Corp
District Enrollment
786
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,494
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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