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The Emerson Hough Elementary SchoolPhoto: Boscophotos · CC BY-SA 3.0
C−
Schools in Newton · Newton Community School District

Newton’s public schools score below 82% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Newton, 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.

#109of 140 Iowa townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
62%
▼ 8 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
59%
▼ 5 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Graduate on time
84%
▼ 4 pts vs IA 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.5K
▲ 6% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.5
IA 14.1
Schools in town
6
2,238 students on the public path
In brief

Newton’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 62% of tested students were proficient in reading and 59% in math, against 70% and 64% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Iowa. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,495 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 5 the district’s path is Berg Middle School, then Newton Senior High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Newton Christian Day 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Newton’s grade

C− Test scoresC− Graduation

C−: better than 18% of Iowa school districts, #109 of 140 Iowa towns. Both inputs trail the Iowa average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 18%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (542)Better than 21%
DCA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,908 test results and a graduating class of 219 could put Newton anywhere from D to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Newton’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,909 in math, 1,907 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–42 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC− to B+
5–8Berg Middle SchoolNewton Community School DistrictC−
9–12Newton Senior High SchoolNewton Community School DistrictC

Newton’s public schools are run by Newton Community School District, which also serves Kellogg and Lambs Grove. 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.

Newton Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 6 schools · 2,669 students, up 2% since 2020–21 · 14.5 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$14,495IA $13,713 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading62%
State average 69.7% · 1907 students tested
Math59%
State average 63.8% · 1909 students tested

Newton vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
NewtonC−Newton
Lambs Grove—Newton

Every school in Newton

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 Newtonby address
Emerson Hough Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4
C−
336 students12:1Rate it →
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4
B+
306 students15:1Rate it →
Berg Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
C−
790 students14:1Rate it →
Newton Senior High School
High · Grades 9–12
C
806 students17:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
WEST Academy Alternative School
High · Grades 10–12
D−
Alternative Education
51 students9:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Newton Christian Day School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
110 students16:1Rate it →

Questions about Newton’s schools

Are Newton’s schools good?

On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Newton children attend score below 82% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #109 of 140 Iowa towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 21%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Newton in?

Newton Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,669 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

Where do Newton kids go to high school?

Newton Senior High School, with 806 students; its own test results earn a C.

What is Newton’s graduation rate?

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

How much does Newton spend per student?

$14,495 in Newton Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Newton?

Yes: Newton Christian Day School (religious, grades PK–8, 110 students).

Parents talk

What Newton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Newton → 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.