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Wright County CourthouseWright County Courthouse · Photo: Ann Sullivan-Larson · CC BY-SA 3.0
C
Schools in Clarion · Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District

Clarion’s public schools score below 67% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Clarion, 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.

#91of 140 Iowa townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.

Reading proficiency
63%
▼ 7 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
60%
▼ 4 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 2–6 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.7K
▲ 7% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.9
IA 14.1 · smaller classes
Schools in town
2
760 students on the public path
In brief

Clarion’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 63% of tested students were proficient in reading and 60% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa (the state reports Clarion’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,707 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one high school

From grade 9 the district’s path is Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School. Enrollment is down 23% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Clarion’s grade

C− Test scoresB− Graduation

C: better than 33% of Iowa school districts, #91 of 140 Iowa towns. Graduation is above the Iowa average; test scores are below it.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 33%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (640)Better than 36%
C−B−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 652 test results and a graduating class of 73 could put Clarion anywhere from C− to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Clarion’s students in the tested grades sat them (652 in math, 652 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Clarion, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–4Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary SchoolClarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School DistrictC−
9–12Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High SchoolClarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School DistrictC+

Clarion’s public schools are run by Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District, which also serves Dows, Galt and Goldfield. 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.

Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 2 schools · 760 students, down 23% since 2020–21 · 12.9 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$14,707IA $13,713 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading63%
State average 69.7% · 652 students tested
Math60%
State average 63.8% · 652 students tested

Clarion vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Clarion’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ClarionCClarion-Goldfield-Dows

Every school in Clarion

2 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).

District schools in Clarionby address
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
C−
469 students13:1Rate it →
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School
High · Grades 9–12
C+
291 students13:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School).

Questions about Clarion’s schools

Are Clarion’s schools good?

On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Clarion children attend score below 67% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #91 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 36%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Clarion in?

Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 760 students in 2 schools (2024–25).

Where do Clarion kids go to high school?

Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School, with 291 students; its own test results earn a C+.

What is Clarion’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does Clarion spend per student?

$14,707 in Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Clarion families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Clarion → 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.