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Clear lake iowaPhoto: Bill Whittaker · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Schools in Clear Lake · Clear Lake Community School District

Clear Lake’s public schools outscore 83% of Iowa districts

81% of students in Clear Lake’s public schools are proficient in reading, above the Iowa average (70%). The grade covers the public school district serving Clear Lake, 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.

#25of 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
81%
▲ 11 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
71%
▲ 7 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 8–12 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.4K
▼ 9% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.6
IA 14.1
Schools in town
4
1,454 students on the public path
In brief

Clear Lake’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 81% and math 71% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,438 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Clear Lake Middle School, then Clear Lake High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Clear Lake Classical (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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Clear Lake’s grade

A− Test scoresA− Graduation

A−: better than 83% of Iowa school districts, #25 of 140 Iowa towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Iowa average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 83%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (552)Better than 82%
B+AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 960 test results and a graduating class of 104 could put Clear Lake anywhere from B+ to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Clear Lake’s students in the tested grades sat them (960 in math, 959 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Clear Creek Elementary SchoolClear Lake Community School DistrictB−
6–8Clear Lake Middle SchoolClear Lake Community School DistrictB+
9–12Clear Lake High SchoolClear Lake Community School DistrictB

Clear Lake’s public schools are run by Clear Lake Community School District. Parts of Clear Lake (3% of its land) are served by Garner-Hayfield-Ventura instead. 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.

Clear Lake Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 1,454 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 14.6 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$12,438IA $13,713 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading81%
State average 69.7% · 959 students tested
Math71%
State average 63.8% · 960 students tested

Clear Lake vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Clear LakeA−Clear Lake

Every school in Clear Lake

4 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 Clear Lakeby address
Clear Creek Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B−
685 students14:1Rate it →
Clear Lake Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B+
308 students14:1Rate it →
Clear Lake High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
461 students15:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Clear Lake Classical
Grades PK–12
Private · Religious
144 students9:1Rate it →

Questions about Clear Lake’s schools

Are Clear Lake’s schools good?

By Iowa’s own tests, yes: the public schools Clear Lake children attend outscore 83% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #25 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 82%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Clear Lake in?

Clear Lake Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,454 students in 3 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Clear Lake are served by Garner-Hayfield-Ventura.

Where do Clear Lake kids go to high school?

Clear Lake High School, with 461 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Clear Lake’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Clear Lake Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does Clear Lake spend per student?

$12,438 in Clear Lake Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Clear Lake?

Yes: Clear Lake Classical (religious, grades PK–12, 144 students).

Parents talk

What Clear Lake families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Clear Lake → 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.