Photo: Corey Coyle · CC BY 3.0Altoona’s public schools outscore 73% of Iowa districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Altoona, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.
From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Altoona’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 469 Iowa towns with household incomes within a quarter of Altoona’s, its schools beat 67%, lower than their 73% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 75% and math 70% across both districts in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Southeast Polk spends $13,373 per student and Bondurant-Farrar $11,685, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Altoona’s grade
B+: better than 73% of Iowa school districts, #45 of 140 Iowa towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Iowa average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Altoona, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Altoona
Southeast Polk Middle School
Grades 6–7 · 1,112 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Altoona
Southeast Polk Middle School
Grades 6–7 · 1,112 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Altoona
Bondurant-Farrar Junior High
Grades 7–8 · 398 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Bondurant
9th grade in Altoona
Bondurant-Farrar High School
Grades 9–12 · 849 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Bondurant
10th grade in Altoona · depends on your address
Southeast Polk High School
Grades 10–12 · 1,722 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Pleasant Hill
Bondurant-Farrar High School
Grades 9–12 · 849 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Bondurant
Altoona runs its own schools through grade 12 (Southeast Polk Community School District). From grade PK, students attend the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District, shared with Bondurant. Its high school is in Pleasant Hill. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Altoona
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Altoona vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Altoona’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Altoona | B+ | Southeast Polk PK–12 · Bondurant-Farrar PK–12 |
| Bondurant | A− | Bondurant-Farrar |
| Pleasant Hill | D− | Southeast Polk PK–12 · Des Moines Independent PK–12 |
Every school in Altoona
7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Altoona’s schools
Are Altoona’s schools good?
By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools Altoona children attend outscore 73% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #45 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 67%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Altoona in?
Two districts: Southeast Polk Community School District runs grades PK–12, and Bondurant-Farrar Community School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Bondurant.
Where do Altoona kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Southeast Polk High School and Bondurant-Farrar High School.
What is Altoona’s graduation rate?
95% of the class of 2023 in Southeast Polk Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Altoona spend per student?
$13,373 in Southeast Polk Community School District and $11,685 in Bondurant-Farrar Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Altoona families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Altoona → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.