Photo: Gcardinal101 · CC BY 4.0Charles City’s public schools score below 88% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 53% of Charles City’s students scored proficient, below the Iowa average (64%). The grade covers the public school district serving Charles City, 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.
Charles City’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 62% of tested students were proficient in reading and 53% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa (the state reports Charles City’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,853 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 2 the district’s path is Lincoln Elementary School, then Charles City Middle School, then Charles City High School. Enrollment is down 16% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Immaculate Conception School (private) is in town. Every school ↓
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 Charles City’s grade
D: better than 12% of Iowa school districts, #114 of 140 Iowa towns. Both inputs trail the Iowa average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Charles City, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Charles City
Washington Elementary School
Grades PK–1 · 206 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Charles City
Washington Elementary School
Grades PK–1 · 206 students · 10:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Charles City
Washington Elementary School
Grades PK–1 · 206 students · 10:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Charles City
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades 2–4 · 280 students · 15:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Charles City
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades 2–4 · 280 students · 15:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Charles City
Lincoln Elementary School
Grades 2–4 · 280 students · 15:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Charles City
Charles City Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 386 students · 16:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Charles City
Charles City Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 386 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Charles City
Charles City Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 386 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Charles City
Charles City Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 386 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Charles City
Charles City High School
Grades 9–12 · 472 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Charles City
Charles City High School
Grades 9–12 · 472 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Charles City
Charles City High School
Grades 9–12 · 472 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Charles City
Charles City High School
Grades 9–12 · 472 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Charles City’s public schools are run by Charles City Community School District, which also serves Bassett, Colwell and Floyd. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Charles City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Charles City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Charles City | D | Charles City |
Every school in Charles City
5 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 Charles City’s schools
Are Charles City’s schools good?
On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Charles City children attend score below 88% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #114 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 11%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Charles City in?
Charles City Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,344 students in 4 schools (2024–25).
Where do Charles City kids go to high school?
Charles City High School, with 472 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Charles City’s graduation rate?
80–84% of the class of 2023 in Charles City Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.
How much does Charles City spend per student?
$14,853 in Charles City Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Charles City?
Yes: Immaculate Conception School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 199 students).
Parents talk
What Charles City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Charles City → 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.