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Buchanan County Court HouseBuchanan County Court House · Photo: Kevin Schuchmann · CC BY-SA 3.0
C+
Schools in Independence · Independence Community School District

Independence’s public schools score below 60% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Independence, 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.

#86of 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
73%
▲ 3 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
70%
▲ 6 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 4–8 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.3K
▼ 3% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.8
IA 14.1
Schools in town
6
1,383 students on the public path
In brief

Independence’s schools, in brief

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 73% and math 70% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide; 80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,345 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one middle school

From grade 3 the district’s path is West Elementary School, then Independence Junior Senior High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Johns School (private) and Independence Christian Academy (private) are 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 Independence’s grade

B Test scoresD Graduation

C+: better than 40% of Iowa school districts, #86 of 140 Iowa towns. Test scores are above the Iowa average; graduation is below it.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 40%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (619)Better than 41%
C−BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 959 test results and a graduating class of 122 could put Independence anywhere from C− to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Independence’s students in the tested grades sat them (958 in math, 960 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–2East Elementary SchoolIndependence Community School DistrictNo scores
3–6West Elementary SchoolIndependence Community School DistrictB
7–12Independence Junior Senior High SchoolIndependence Community School DistrictA−

Independence’s public schools are run by Independence Community School District, which also serves Brandon and Rowley. 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.

Independence Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,383 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 13.8 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$13,345IA $13,713 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading73%
State average 69.7% · 960 students tested
Math70%
State average 63.8% · 958 students tested

Independence vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
IndependenceC+Independence

Every school in Independence

6 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 Independenceby address
Early Childhood Center
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
46 students24:1Rate it →
East Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–2
265 students12:1Rate it →
West Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 3–6
B
360 students11:1Rate it →
Independence Junior Senior High School
High · Grades 7–12
A−
712 students16:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Johns School
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Catholic
131 students11:1Rate it →
Independence Christian Academy
Elementary · Grades 5
Private · Religious
1 students1:1Rate it →

Questions about Independence’s schools

Are Independence’s schools good?

On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Independence children attend score below 60% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #86 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 41%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Independence in?

Independence Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,383 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

What is Independence’s graduation rate?

80–84% of the class of 2023 in Independence Community School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa.

How much does Independence spend per student?

$13,345 in Independence Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Independence?

Yes: St. Johns School (Catholic, grades K–8, 131 students) and Independence Christian Academy (religious, grades 5, 1 students).

Parents talk

What Independence families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Independence → 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.